Linda's lifelong love of music began at age two when she played along with the tv and radio and re-created church hymns on a small toy organ. At age four she was invited to join the church choir and received a real organ and lessons for her sixth birthday. In elementary school she was enrolled in piano and flute lessons, participated in the church handbell choir, and later began formal study of piano performance and theory through the Royal Conservatory of Music. Her harp instructor and mentor was Phyllis Ensher-Peters, who was a student of Carlos Salzedo at the Curtis Institute of Music and a principal harpist since 1958. Since 1984 Linda has been a music educator and freelance performer, providing various genres of music for numerous public, private and religious venues. Linda has been privileged to share the stage with internationally known as well as many talented area musicians, orchestras and ensembles.
Linda is currently employed at Tulpehochen Trinity in Richland as Director of Music/Organist. She also teaches piano and harp to select students in her home as well as Spyro's Modern Music in Muhlenburg. Linda works with both Compassus and Advantage Hospice services providing therapeutic music and enjoys a busy performance schedule as a freelance harpist, organist, pianist and flutist.
In addition to freelance performances, Linda has joined local chamber and orchestral groups for Ravel's Le Tombeau de Couperin, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Beauty and the Beast, Requiem (Faure), Mahler's Symphony No. 1 "Titan", Mahler's Lieder, "Songs of a Wayfarer", and Requiem (John Rutter). In her spare time she practices and teaches Hatha and Yin yoga.
Linda is reliable, punctual and truly loves working with customers to create a meaningful and unique event at a reasonable cost, and she is proud to have earned 5 star ratings on Wedding Wire, Gig Salad and The Bash for quality of service, responsiveness, professionalism, value for cost and flexibility.
Since she places such a high value on customer satisfaction, she regularly receive comments such as the following-
"I wanted to thank you for the lovely music you provided for the wedding on Saturday. Your playing added so much to the ceremony and I couldn't have been happier with your talent. Please feel free to have any prospective client contact me if they would like a reference."
Regards, Paula P. (mother of the bride, wedding/cocktail hour)
"Let me thank you yet one more time. You were wonderful. I will give your card and/or information if ANYONE I know is looking for a harpist. You were exactly what I was looking for. You make a beautiful presentation, and delivered everything you promised."
Thank you, Laura and Jim M. (parents of the bride- wedding/reception)
"Linda was responsive to my emails and flexible with my requests. We received great value for the $ paid. The harp was beautiful, the music she played was beautiful and all our wedding guests loved it!"
Luxia H. (bride- wedding/cocktail hour)
Contact me with any questions, or to receive a free quote for your wedding or event!
Linda Umstead
beautifulharp@aol.com
Linda is currently employed at Tulpehochen Trinity in Richland as Director of Music/Organist. She also teaches piano and harp to select students in her home as well as Spyro's Modern Music in Muhlenburg. Linda works with both Compassus and Advantage Hospice services providing therapeutic music and enjoys a busy performance schedule as a freelance harpist, organist, pianist and flutist.
In addition to freelance performances, Linda has joined local chamber and orchestral groups for Ravel's Le Tombeau de Couperin, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Beauty and the Beast, Requiem (Faure), Mahler's Symphony No. 1 "Titan", Mahler's Lieder, "Songs of a Wayfarer", and Requiem (John Rutter). In her spare time she practices and teaches Hatha and Yin yoga.
Linda is reliable, punctual and truly loves working with customers to create a meaningful and unique event at a reasonable cost, and she is proud to have earned 5 star ratings on Wedding Wire, Gig Salad and The Bash for quality of service, responsiveness, professionalism, value for cost and flexibility.
Since she places such a high value on customer satisfaction, she regularly receive comments such as the following-
"I wanted to thank you for the lovely music you provided for the wedding on Saturday. Your playing added so much to the ceremony and I couldn't have been happier with your talent. Please feel free to have any prospective client contact me if they would like a reference."
Regards, Paula P. (mother of the bride, wedding/cocktail hour)
"Let me thank you yet one more time. You were wonderful. I will give your card and/or information if ANYONE I know is looking for a harpist. You were exactly what I was looking for. You make a beautiful presentation, and delivered everything you promised."
Thank you, Laura and Jim M. (parents of the bride- wedding/reception)
"Linda was responsive to my emails and flexible with my requests. We received great value for the $ paid. The harp was beautiful, the music she played was beautiful and all our wedding guests loved it!"
Luxia H. (bride- wedding/cocktail hour)
Contact me with any questions, or to receive a free quote for your wedding or event!
Linda Umstead
beautifulharp@aol.com