Sylvia Adams Norris · Harp

Harpist Sylvia Norris is well known to Michigan audiences as both a recitalist and orchestral musician. A Michigan native, she has long been a member of the Battle Creek, and Traverse Symphony Orchestras, played for 17 years with the Grand Rapids Symphony and is currently principal harpist with the West Shore Symphony Orchestra. Sylvia has appeared with the Detroit Symphony as well as every other Michigan orchestra of note, and recently appeared as guest harpist with the Billings, Montana Symphony. She is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, where she studied with Eileen Malone. Other teachers include Lauralee Campbell, of Michigan State University, Nancy Allen at the Aspen Music Festival and Suzanne Balderston at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California, where she was the recipient of the Outstanding Harpist Award. She loves to play chamber music and plays in many chamber settings including the Dancing Bear Music Series and the Interlochen Arts Camp, where she was an instructor of harp for seven summers. In 1993, and 2008, Mrs. Norris was a featured recitalist at the American Harp Society National conventions, where she performed with soprano Beverly Rinaldi, and flutist Nancy Stagnitta. She has been a concerto soloist with several Michigan Orchestras and will be the featured soloist opening the 2009-2010 West Shore Symphony Orchestra season. In recent years, she has been a featured performer on the Regent Seven Seas Cruise Line, performing as a solo harpist and as a featured headliner with her husband, baritone, Jeffery Norris and her daughters, Hayley and Emma. In 2005, she was chosen to tour with Josh Groban to Bermuda where she was privileged to also appear in recital with legendary flutist, Sir James Galway. For the past five summers, Sylvia has hosted and produced the Traverse City Harp Workshop featuring famed French harpist, Isabelle Perrin as recitalist and teacher. This summer she will be heard in recital with the Saugatuck Chamber Music Festival. Sylvia and her family reside in Traverse City where she continues to teach privately and is active in her church and community.