ICYMI: #HighVoltageWomen IG Live featuring Maeve Gilchrist

BY LAURA HARPER/WWR Staff Writer

Almost every artist has a very noticeable passion for their instrument of choice, but one female musician who really allows that passion to shine through is harpist Maeve Gilchrist.

Gilchrist attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music as a vocal major with some skills in piano and harp playing as well. Despite her major of choice, however, it was her love of the harp that really blossomed while she was in school and would eventually pave the way for her future career in music.

“In our drive to master our instruments, our instruments give back so much,” Gilchrist said. “The harp is giving me opportunities and communities that I never could have dreamed of.”

After graduating from Berklee, Gilchrist stuck around for a few years as a harp teacher at her alma mater. During her time teaching, she realized that there were not many harp teachers, especially in rural communities, so she decided to gather the contact information from as many known harp teachers as she could. With these contacts, she created a monthly online workshop that allowed these harpists to showcase their skills and share their love of the instrument with others who may not otherwise have exposure to the harp.

In addition to her workshop, Gilchrist also released a book called The Lighter Touch in which she focused on eliminating the stigma behind technique. She says that while technique is important for mastering the harp, skill building mostly happens through harnessing natural passion and drive.

“Following music and cultivating my own curiosity has led to such a fun life,” Gilchrist said.

During the interview, Gilchrist played a classic piece on her harp that was originally written to be played on a banjo. She says it is very common throughout various cultures for the same piece of music to be adapted for multiple different instruments. The piece contains many natural ebbs and flows, which she enjoys navigating.

“I love playing with different textures on the harp,” Gilchrist said.

For young female musicians out there who are looking to make their mark on the music industry, Gilchrist recalls learning in Berklee that one must always make themselves indispensable for any situation they find themselves in. She also expresses only pursuing music because you love music, rather than being motivated by other factors such as the potential for money or fame.

“Music is a very special and connective way to move through life,” Gilchrist said.

Gilchrist has also noticed that women in the music industry often feel compelled to find a more masculine way of going about their music careers, but in her experience, this does not need to be the case. Rather than trying to mimic their male counterparts, she believes that women should embrace femininity and make their voices strong enough to be heard through their music and the natural talent they possess.

Currently, Gilchrist is touring for her 2020 album called The Harpweaver, with upcoming shows in Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee.

For more on Maeve Gilchrist, you can check out the entire interview on the @OfficialWomenWhoRock IGTV channel on Instagram.