Faye Seeman

Applied Artist

Faye Seeman, principal harpist of the Chicago Sinfonietta Orchestra since 1993, is adjunct professor of harp studies at Northern Illinois University and Wheaton College. With both bachelor's and master's degrees in performance - B.A. Eastern Michigan University, M.M. Boston University - Faye balances her experience as a solo performer and orchestral player with her extensive background in teaching to support a diverse freelance career in music.

She was principal harpist of the Joffrey Ballet from 2002-2012, and was recently featured soloist with the Hubbard Street Dance Company, partnering with the dancers while playing William Grant Still’s “Ennanga” for harp, piano and string orchestra. Faye has since performed the piece as soloist with the Galesburg Symphony Orchestra and Birch Creek Festival Orchestra in Door County, Wisconsin.

As founder of the “Kithara” flute, cello and harp trio, she has led the group to notoriety with its broadcast work on WTTW’s “30 Good Minutes”, the recording of two Kithara Trio CDs, and publication of many arrangements for the group through Lyon and Healy Harps West. The trio currently performs in recitals and churches throughout the Midwest, featuring program titles such as “America the Beautiful”, “Beau Soir” and “A Garden of Musical Delights”.

Faye distinguished herself as one of the most versatile harpists in the Midwest by venturing away from playing traditional classical harp music. The “ZigZag” Jazz Harp Quartet (harp, piano, bass and drums), explores an eclectic blend of jazz, classical and new age styles of music.

In the summer, Faye is on the faculty of the Birch Creek Music Festival in Door County, Wisconsin, and is guest lecturer at the Midwest Harp Festival in Tulsa, Oklahoma as well as the Pacific Harp Institute in Seattle, Washington. As a solo artist, Faye completed her first CD, “Nearer to Heaven”, in 2010 recorded at Bastyr University chapel in Seattle. The disc features several original compositions, along with transcribed favorites.