Biography
Elizabeth Munch, a native of Penfield, NY, discovered music at age seven playing piano, but quickly switched her emphasis to harp at age eight. As a young performer, Elizabeth studied with Roxanne Ziegler, and went on to study with Kathleen Bride, Professor of Harp at the Eastman School of Music
In 2008, she earned a Bachelor of Music in Harp Performance with Highest Distinction and the Performers' Certificate from the Eastman School of Music, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Summa Cum Laude with Highest Distinction from the University of Rochester. She is a Lois Rogers Scholar, the 2007-2008 Presser Scholar, and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Additionally, she holds a Master of Arts in Mathematics from Duke University.
In Rochester, Elizabeth has performed with the Eastman Philharmonia, the Eastman Wind Ensemble, Eastman Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, University of Rochester Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, Hochstein Youth Symphony Orchestra, and Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. She has also performed with the Ithaca College Symphony Orchestra, the Ithaca College Womens Chorus, the Cornell Wind Ensemble, the Southern Tier Symphony and the Geneseo Symphony Orchestra.
Nationally and Internationally, she has held the position of Principal Harpist at the Oberlin in Italy Festival in Urbania, Italy, the Brevard Summer Festival in Brevard, North Carolina, and at the New York State Summer School of the Arts School of Orchestral Studies in Saratoga, New York.
Elizabeth also teaches lessons privately. She wrote the syllabus for the harp program of the Penfield Central School District and has also taught at the Performing Arts Institute of Wyoming Seminary in Kingston, PA, a summer program in the arts for high school students. She believes that the best way to learn is by having fun, and a strong background in technique is the key to success and injury prevention, regardless of the instrument.
Currently, Elizabeth is a graduate student at Duke University in the math department working towards her Ph.D. in mathematics. When not practicing, studying, or teaching, Elizabeth enjoys climbing, running, watching movies, reading, and baking.
In addition to her studies, Elizabeth is active as a freelance harpist, performing for weddings and other formal occasions. She also teaches , as well as being a math tutor for area high school and college students.