Grant Funds Music Professor’s Harp Concerts for Children

Experienced, dedicated harpist will share performance experience with her SHU students

A Sacred Heart University adjunct music professor, harpist Wendy Kerner, will use a state Artists Respond grant from the Connecticut Commission of the Arts (CCA) to perform programs that will be streamed for children from kindergarten to second grade. The grant was made possible due to the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, Connecticut Office of the Arts.

The Artists Respond Grant will fund programs that Kerner will perform with storyteller Monica Peterson, combining stories, music and math, at area libraries. The harpist from Wilton has scheduled the first presentation for the Norwalk Public Library on November 13, and the second performance is scheduled for the Stamford Public Library in March.

According to the Artists Respond website, the program aims to invest in a wide range of community-based arts projects in the state, from large audience events to small group activities. The events must be artist-centered initiatives that “use the arts to inspire, empower, educate and transform our Connecticut communities” the website states. The grant was made possible with the support of the Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of the Arts, which also receives support from the American Rescue Plan Act.

“Performing for these audiences is enriching and powerful, and I will share that experience and joy with my own SHU harp students,” said Kerner who teaches courses in SHU’s music program in the College of Arts & Sciences. “I am excited to be able to perform several special programs for young students in partnership with their local libraries―a presentation that would not be possible without this grant from the Connecticut Commission of the Arts.”

Kerner started playing the harp when she was 7 years old. She became a full-time harpist after graduating from The Juilliard School in New York City. She is currently the principal harpist for the Norwalk and Ridgefield symphonies and the Westchester Soloists in New York. She is also the founder and director of the Elyrica Summer Harp Ensemble Program. She has appeared in concerts through the United States and has taught at SHU for eight years.

Visit SHU’s music program webpage to learn more about its offerings.