Courtney Hershey Bress

University of Rochester

Alumnus Profile

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Organization: Colorado Symphony Orchestra / University of Denver Lamont School of Music / University of Wyoming

Title: Principal Harp, Colorado Symphony; Adjunct Professor of Harp Lamont School of Music & University of Wyoming
Program Graduation: BM, ALP Certificate 1997

Musical Studies: Harp

Musical Specialties: Higher Education, Large Ensemble, Military

Non-Musical Specialties: Author

Quote: “Being a part of the first class of ALP and only having one year of study, ALP has been a part of my professional life since my graduation from Eastman. I learned how to promote myself and speak to an audience. I still use these skills today.”

Bio:

Courtney Hershey Bress joined the Colorado Symphony as Principal Harp in 2001. Ms. Bress has had engagements with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She has served as Acting Principal Harp of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and was Principal Harp with the United States Army Field Band in Washington, D.C. She is the Adjunct Professor of Harp at the Lamont School of Music and the Lecturer of Harp at the University of Wyoming. Ms. Bress was a 2005 GRAMMY® nominee for her performance of George Crumb’s chamber work “Ancient Voices of Children.” Ms. Bress is a published author. For Love of the Harp was published in 2017 by Veritas Musica Publishing. Ms. Bress is a graduate of the Eastman School and the Chicago College of Performing Arts.