Elaine Christy

Christy attended William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa.[6] During these years, she studied with notable harpists including Margaret Ling, Jane Weidensaul, and Kathleen Bride.[1] She worked as an elementary school teacher while continuing her education and training in Kansas. In 1981, she was a finalist in the professional division of the American Harp Society National Competition, and won a Lorraine Close Award during the contest.[6] In 1984, she was placed first in the American Harp Society National Competition,[4][7][8][9] and won three top awards at this competition in 1984.[10] In addition, she won the Ruth Lorraine Close award a second time.[4]

She earned a Ph.D. from the Manhattan School of Music.[2] Christy was an instructor of harp at the University of Kansas[5] and Kansas State University.[2][5] Since 2001, she has taught harp at Princeton University.[2][3] Her publications about harp and playing methodology have been cited by other scholars.[11]

Christy has performed as a soloist in numerous venues. She performed at the World Harp Congress in Seattle-Tacoma in 1999 and in Geneva, Switzerland in 2002. She traveled to Israel to premier a work sponsored by Zamir Bavel.[10] She has given numerous concerts and recitals in the New York metropolitan area,[12][13][14][15][16] including at the Unitarian Church in Summit in New Jersey.[17] In addition, she has performed with numerous musical artists, including violists Marjorie Selden[18] and Jessica Thompson,[17] and with numerous flautists including Lucian Rinando, Jill Crawford[18][19] and Judith Pearce.[17][20] She was a founding member of the Venus Trio which was a winner of the Artists International Competition.[5] She has performed with the North Jersey Harp Ensemble including Kimberly DeRosa, Robbin Gordon-Cartier, Elizabeth Khoury, Diane Michaels and Kelly Rafferty.[21] She recorded at least two music CDs. Reviewer Carol Swanson described her music as "mesmerizing".[22] She plays with an ensemble of Princeton faculty called the Richardson Chamber Players.

Christy has served on the board of the American Harp Society. In addition, as a professor of harp, she has been published in the American Harp Journal and the World Harp Congress Review. She has taught numerous students, including harpist Allison Cheung.

• Celestial Sounds of Christmas, Twinz Records[20]
• Enchanted Love, with Patricia Davila (flute)