Emotive Elegance
Book my harp today!
Book my harp today!
Chicago Professional Harpist LeAnne Bennion
I feel that my gift really is to teach the harp and create musicians. I currently teach private harp lessons at multiple schools across Chicagoland and I offer lessons in the comfort of my own home.
I currently have weekly harp player lesson slots available on weekday evenings.
I am a professional harpist and musician in Chicago available for wedding ceremonies/receptions/cocktail hour and professional and personal events.
I have twelve years of experience playing for weddings and events.
I started playing the classical harp when I was ten years old and I now I am a professional musician with a Masters in Music from the Chicago College of Performing Arts.
I have extensive experience performing solo concerts and with ensembles small and large. It is thrilling to create music with an artistic vision.
One of Chicago’s premiere professional harpists, LeAnne Bennion started playing the harp at the age of nine when her grandmother introduced her to the instrument. She earned a Master of Music degree from Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts and a Bachelor of Music in Harp Performance from the University of Utah. At Roosevelt she studied with Marguerite Lynn Williams, principal harpist of The Lyric Opera of Chicago. Her past teachers include Louise Vickerman, principal harpist of the Utah Symphony, Dr. Carrol McLaughlin, University of Arizona and Dr. Cathy Clayton, University of Utah. She has recently studied with world renowned harpist Maria Lusia Rayan.
LeAnne has created a performing career in Chicago by working with local orchestras as well as her new music ensemble, The Nightingale Ensemble. As a founding member of the ensemble, she has premiered multiple works by local and international composers. In order to further expand the harp repertoire, she frequently works one on one with composers advising them on writing for the harp.
As a freelance musician in Chicago, LeAnne has played for events of all kinds; weddings, baby showers, funerals, cocktail parties, birthdays, church services, business conferences etc. She regularly performs for teatime at the downtown historic Drake Hotel, the Palmer House Hotel, the Langham Hotel and The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. She recently appeared in a national commercial produced by The Onion Network and on an episode of the television show Empire.
During the Covid-19 pandemic LeAnne adapted by creating a regular concert series of solo harp music broadcasted from her living room.
LeAnne is a full-time harp teacher with studios at Lake Forest College, The Chicago School of Music, Lane Tech High School and Stevenson High School.
In addition to her harp accomplishments, LeAnne’s intense dedication to her sourdough starter won her bread first prize at the Chicago’s Best Baker competition.