Alison Austin, Artistic Director

Alison has been living and teaching in the Seattle area for the past twenty-five years. She studied locally with Lynne Wainwright Palmer, with Lucille Lawrence at the Tanglewood Music Center and went on to study with Marilyn Costello at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia where she received an Artist’s Diploma. Ms. Austin performed regularly with the Seattle Symphony and Seattle Opera from 1980 to 2002 and continues to perform throughout the NW. She was acting principal harpist of Seattle Opera from 1998 to 2002. In her orchestral and opera experience, Ms. Austin has performed under the batons of such conductors as Riccardo Muti and Paul Paray. In her early career Ms. Austin was a winner of the Trenton, NJ harp competition, the Seattle Ladies Music Club and was selected as a Young Artist for the American Harp Society. Her harp duo Les Harpes performed the opening recital at the National AHS Conference in 1979 and toured throughout the Northeast. She has extensive experience in orchestral, opera, ballet, chamber, choral, duo harp, and has a special love for harp ensemble and teaching.

Linnae Joy Kraemer, Administrative Assistant
Linnae began playing the harp at age 12. Since then she has studied with Laurie Hunter, music teacher at Southern Oregon University, Laura Zaerr, harp instructor at the University of Oregon, and Alison Austin, Artistic Director for The Pacific Harp Institute. She is passionate about the harp, and delights in sharing its music through various venues and teaching.

Ruth Mar, Marketing Director/Webmaster

Ruth earned her Bachelor of Music degree at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto as a student of renowned harpist and teacher Judy Loman. Ruth recently gave a debut recital at Benaroya’s Nordstrom Recital Hall, sponsored by PHI; and is currently an active freelance harpist in the Greater Seattle area. For more information about Ruth, visit her website at ruthsmar.com.