Classically Trained Musician Drawn To Tulsa

Monday, July 9th 2007, 5:00 pm

By: News On 6

The harp is not an instrument for everyone. It is difficult to play, and takes tremendous dedication to master. So why would a classically trained harpist choose to make her home in Tulsa? The News On 6â€™s Rick Wells went to Broken Arrow to find out. He reports this classically trained harpist says Tulsa is a great place for a musician.

Jill Wiebe is a classically trained harpist from the Eastman School of Music and the Cincinnati-College Conservatory. Sheâ€™s played all over the world, and probably still could, but she's settling in Tulsa

"Tulsa is a town that has a lot of enthusiasm in the arts," harpist Jill Wiebe said.

We have opera ballet and a symphony, and she says Tulsa's a great place to be as a musician. Besides, she grew up in the Midwest and this just feels like home. But why the harp? It seems unbelievably difficult to play.

"Ever since I was a child I wanted to play the harp,â€ said Wiebe. â€œI think I got the idea from my mother, she always want to play.â€

She says she was one of those kids who never had to be reminded to practice, and it has developed into quite a free lance career. Sheâ€™s played on the QE2 and the Queen Mary 2. The best part of the harp, she says, it sounds wonderful from the beginning. The tricky part is the pedals, there are seven, one for each note. So you play with both hands and both feet.

Wiebe says she plans to live in the Tulsa area, and play and teach the harp. She has a website, so if you are interested in contacting her, click here.

Watch the video: Professional Harpist Moving To Town

WEB EXTRA: Jill Wiebe Plays A Musical Selection