Three of Roxanne Ziegler's beautiful harps

About Roxanne Ziegler

Roxanne Ziegler has played harp professionally since 1970. Starting her lessons at the age of 12, she studied with Eileen Malone at the Eastman School of Music and Lily Laskine in Paris. She has also been coached by leading harp professionals from around the country.

Roxanne Ziegler is a certified music practitioner (CMP) through the Music for Healing and Transition Program and has completed training through the International Harp Therapy Program. For more information, please review the healing harps section of this web site.
 
[ Concert Harpist | Entertainer | Ensemble Performances | Recordings ]

Roxanne’s Harp Performances


Roxanne has given concerts in a wide variety of venues and musical styles. She has performed at the national conventions of the American Harp Society and the International Society of Folk Harpers and Craftsmen conferences. She has played in several “Live at Hochstein” noon concerts at the Hochstein School of Music as well as with several Rochester NY area orchestras.
 
“I had the pleasure of attending your concert. The program was an excellent one. Each time you played, your face became radiant with the joy your music brings you. You brought the same joy to your audience.”
—Ken R.

Roxanne’s Healing Harp Music

Roxanne provides her healing harp music at area hospitals, hospices, and nursing homes. She was interviewed about the healing music of harps in this article from the Democrat and Chronicle.

Roxanne is staff musician at her church, Spiritus Christi, and plays harp regularly for Sunday and weekday services. She conducts harp ensemble programs featuring her students, often including 4 to 16 harps.
 
“I love the beautiful music you bring to our masses, weddings, funerals, and special services at Spiritus Christi. It takes me away from the business on my mind to a place of deep prayer. Thanks for the music you so generously share.”
—Mary R.

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An Experienced Entertainer

Roxanne has been a major musical presence in the Rochester region for several decades, and her music has been well received by many thousands of listeners. Her first steady playing engagement was providing dinner music five evenings a week one summer at the Glasgow Wharf on Sodus Bay. Then she appeared each evening for several years at the former Holiday Inn on Main Street in Rochester, creating elegant ambience for dinner guests.

“Roxanne is one of Rochester's musical treasures and can cast a spell over us with her beautiful harp music.”
—Sr. Joan S.

Roxanne was then invited to play for several years in Hattie's, the prestigious cocktail lounge in the Strathallan Hotel. This was followed by another long term engagement at the former Stouffer's Hotel on State Street. Her harp music added to the welcoming atmosphere in the lobby while champagne was served to guests each afternoon. Roxanne also entertained for Sunday brunches at the Rochester Plaza, the Rochester Yacht Club, the Marriott Airport and the Marriott Thruway for many years.

Roxanne is currently on the preferred vendor list of wedding venues and event planners. She has also played in the finest area country clubs, invited either by management or guests for special celebrations.

“You were the talk of Chapel Oaks yesterday. Those who heard your wonderful performance were singing your praises, and those who missed it were lamenting their absence.”
—Betty W.

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Performances with Ensembles

Distinctive Duos

with MITZIE COLLINS, HAMMERED DULCIMER

The bright resonance of the hammered dulcimer complements the clear textures of the harp to provide an exceptional listening experience. Collins and Ziegler frequently perform for parties and receptions, give demonstrations and present seasonal programs and concerts. Particularly striking on their combination of instruments are dance tunes and traditional folk music, both lyric and lively. Roxanne and Mitzie have a recording of Celtic music and several Christmas music recordings.

Mitzie Collins, a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, is a leader in the current revival of hammered dulcimer playing. A distinguished interpreter of Celtic and American folk music, she is the president of Sampler Records, Ltd. Mitzie teaches hammered dulcimer classes and directs the Striking Strings Hammered Dulcimer Ensemble through the Eastman Community Music School. She has performed at national and international festivals. Information on her performances and classes is found at www.samplerfolkmusic.com.

with GLENNDA DOVE, FLUTE

The brilliant tones of the flute in combination with the lush harmonies of the harp create a most distinctive duo. Dove and Ziegler are in demand for weddings and receptions and they often appear in concerts and give informal presentations. Their repertoire includes classical, religious, popular and folk music.

Glennda Dove holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music and from London's Royal College of Music. Currently on the faculties of SUNY Geneseo and RIT, she is a well-known soloist and chamber music performer throughout the Rochester area and has traveled across the US as a clinician, flute choir director and flute historian.

with JOHN C. KLEIN, VIOLIN

The singing melodies of the violin blend with the rich tones of the harp to provide truly memorable music. Klein and Ziegler are popular performers at weddings and other festive celebrations. Most suited to this distinctive duo are classical selections and popular standards.

John C. Klein received his undergraduate training in violin performance under Zvi Zeitlin at the Eastman School of Music and his graduate study was done at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. He is a specialist in the Suzuki method and for nearly 30 years ran the Park Avenue Suzuki Studios. He is currently a teacher/administrator in the Greece Central School District.

with JOHN GASPAR, HARP

As the Lyre, Lyre Harp Duo, Roxanne and John have been performing since 1997 in venues such as the Brighton Library, Concordia Lutheran Church, First Baptist Church, Memorial Art Gallery, the George Eastman House, Sampler Records' Galas, the Music at St. Andrews concert series, senior living facilities in the Rochester area (The Summit at Brighton, Chapel Oaks) as well as providing worship music in various churches such as Holy Cross, Spiritus Christi, and Avon United Methodist. Their wide-ranging repertoire includes well-know classics, a variety of sparkling gems from contemporary composers, soothing and inspiring sacred music, popular selections from Broadway shows and movies, as well as lyric Aires and lively dance tunes from Celtic countries.

John Gaspar studied harp with Roxanne. He is a freelance harpist and also plays with community symphonies and pit orchestras. John earned degrees in Music Education from Nazareth College and the Eastman School of Music. He teaches general and instrumental music in the Gates-Chili School District and was Director of Music at Holy Cross Church from1979-2008. This Lyre, Lyre duo with Roxanne performs John's arrangements, and the The Sampler Trio (see below) commissioned him to write four arrangements. He appears as harpist and arranger on Allyn VanDusen's CD, "Our Love."

“Yesterday I discovered why angels prefer harps. The music that you and John created with your harps was truly beautiful. Our concert series has a reputation for quality. Your Lyre Lyre Harp Duo helped maintain that reputation. I speak on behalf of the entire music committee when I express our appreciation of your performance.”
—First Baptist Church

Roxanne has also appeared with the Dady Brothers in numerous concerts and on their album, "The Dady Brothers/In Concert."

The Sampler Trio

Collaborating with Mitzie Collins (hammered dulcimer) and Glennda Dove (flute) as the Sampler Trio, Roxanne and her harps gave numerous concerts in the upstate New York region. The trio also recorded the much acclaimed “Ornaments,” “Nowell,” and “Rejoice” CDs.
 
“Just wanted to tell you again how much my choir (the Lyric Chorale) and I enjoyed our concerts together with your trio. Your professionalism and joy in music-making together is always evident and makes the collaboration a success and lots of fun.”
—Chris Y.
 

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Roxanne’s Harp Recordings

Over the years Roxanne has produced solo recordings and collaborated with other fine musicians. Those listed below may be purchased directly from Sampler Records Ltd. The artistic director for her solo recordings was award-winning composer Cary Ratcliff.

Roxanne’s solo harp recordings are
  • “Romantic Favorites for Harp”—Each selection is a jewel-like performance, and together they form a musical experience of infinite richness. These familiar airs, nostalgic standards and classical masterpieces are all romantic in mood and style.
     
  • Christmas Favorites for Harp”—"There are many harp Christmas recordings on the market, but this one really stands out for the unusual and superb arrangements, for the variety of the material, and for Roxanne's clear, musical, and expressive playing.—Elizabeth Cifani, former principal harpist, Chicago Lyric Opera; Professor of Harp, Northwestern University.
Her recordings with other musicians are:
  • “St. Patrick's Day in the Morning”—The full sweep of Irish history shines through the music of the Emerald Isles on this disc, which features the intertwined sounds of harp and dulcimer on the poignant slow airs and irresistible, danceable jigs, reels, and hornpipes.
     
  • “Rejoice: Music for Christmas”—This is a collection of familiar and less-well-known carols, distinctively arranaged by ASCAP-award-winning composer, Cary Ratcliff.
“It is always a pleasure to listen to Roxanne’s beautiful music on the harp, whether she is performing for large receptions at one of the most elegant settings in Rochester, The George Eastman House, or entertaining us through her ‘Romantic Favorites’ at intimate dinner parties at my home.”
—Allen K. Buell, as manager, Special Events, George Eastman House, Rochester New York
 
After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.
—Aldous Huxley

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Working with Roxanne is simple, easy, and a great choice!
Contact Roxanne Ziegler, your wedding and event harpist, about your music needs today!
 

Roxanne Ziegler is a professional harpist providing harp music for any occasion. She brings elegance, experience, and expertise to wedding services and receptions, special events, harp presentations, corporate functions and private celebrations.She creates a comforting and peaceful atmosphere in nursing homes, hospitals, and hospices. She appears as a harp soloist or in distinctive duos with flute, violin, voice, or hammered dulcimer.