Maya Lindsey began her musical journey at the age of four on the piano but found her true passion when she started playing the harp at 14 with the Lyra Society.
She has been the principal harpist of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra and Pennsylvania All-State Orchestra and was selected as one of two harpists for Carnegie Hall's National Youth Orchestra in 2023.
Presently, she is a student at the Curtis Institute of Music, studying with Elizabeth Hainen.
10 Questions with Maya Lindsey:
1. How would you describe the sound of the harp?
I would describe it as generally a very warm and mellow sound. However, it can also be sharp and percussive, depending on the piece.
2. What was one thing about your instrument that surprised you when you started learning to play?
I was surprised by all of the challenges it presented. Managing the somewhat unintuitive finger motions and pedals while being mindful of tone and buzzing was very challenging (and continues to be)!
3. Do you have any hidden talents?
While I wouldn’t say I’m talented at it, I really enjoy art and photography.
4. What’s your favorite part about playing harp in an orchestra?
What I love about playing in an orchestra is that we get to be a part of something so much greater than ourselves. The harp adds quite a special color to the orchestral sound — this allows for us as harpists to be a part of creating some truly magical moments.
5. What’s your favorite thing about Philadelphia?
My favorite thing about Philadelphia is the cultural diversity and the rich musical scene.
6. What was an experience that was impactful to you in your musical journey?
An experience that was impactful in my musical journey was making my concerto debut in the Kimmel Center. As one of my first performances coming out of the pandemic, it reinforced within me the power and beauty of music, something I had begun to lose sight of. Playing alongside my friends in the All-City Orchestra for a supportive audience made the experience all the more meaningful.
7. What are you currently reading?
I recently read Underground America for a class.
8. Outside of classical music, what do you like to listen to?
To be honest, I really don’t listen to much music. I spend so much of my life already thinking about and making music that I find myself wanting to protect my quiet time.
9. What advice would you give your 9-year-old self?
Dream big and be kind.
10. Do you have any advice for people just getting started with learning an instrument?
I would say it’s important to first foster your love for music and the instrument by playing the music you love. Just start with the melody line, and play it however you want! When learning an instrument, it is easy to get lost in all of the technical details and lose touch with what inspired you to make music in the first place. So, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, and just enjoy every moment. Music is so beautiful, and we’re so lucky to be learning to create it ourselves.
Maya's Recommended Playlist:
