Amber Mecke Duncalfe desires to share her passion for music and the harp with those around her through performance, arts leadership, and education. She currently holds the position as the music teacher at Greenwich-Stow Creek Partnership Schools. In addition to her full-time position, Amber continues to perform actively as a professional harpist in the South Jersey and Greater Philadelphia Area and has performed with the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, and Rowan University. Amber is also building a private harp studio and teaches from her home in Gloucester County, New Jersey.
In May 2019, Amber graduated from the Eastman School of Music with a Master of Music degree in Harp Performance and Literature and a Certificate in Arts Leadership. At Eastman she studied with Kathleen Bride and performed in the Greater Rochester area. As a performer, Amber infuses her music with the dynamic energy and passion she brings to everything she does. One of her greatest desires is to make a positive impact in the lives of those around her. Her transition into education comes as an extension of this goal - in helping young students grow and develop through music.
While earning a certificate in Arts Leadership alongside a Master of Music degree, Amber developed the tools needed create her dream career. The Arts Leadership Program (ALP) is reserved for select Eastman students with strong academic records, previous leadership experience, and an awareness of the challenges and opportunities facing professional musicians and artists. In 2018, Amber received a grant through the ALP to observe Dr. Charles Lynch and his work with the Mesa Harp Program.
In 2017, Amber graduated from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Summa cum laude, where she studied with Ina Zdorovetchi. The rigorous performing and academic schedule at the Boston Conservatory exposed Amber to a variety of experiences, from playing in operas, dance shows, musical theater productions, orchestras, new music ensembles, and more. Previously she studied with Kimberly Rowe and Elizabeth Hainen at Temple University. Amber has also played in masterclasses for world renowned harpists Kathleen Bride, Agnes Clement, Rita Costanzi, Jaymee Haefner, Elizabeth Hainen, Susann McDonald, Elzbieta Szmyt, Ghislaine Petit Volta, Ina Zdorovetchi, and Jessica Zhou.
In May 2019, Amber graduated from the Eastman School of Music with a Master of Music degree in Harp Performance and Literature and a Certificate in Arts Leadership. At Eastman she studied with Kathleen Bride and performed in the Greater Rochester area. As a performer, Amber infuses her music with the dynamic energy and passion she brings to everything she does. One of her greatest desires is to make a positive impact in the lives of those around her. Her transition into education comes as an extension of this goal - in helping young students grow and develop through music.
While earning a certificate in Arts Leadership alongside a Master of Music degree, Amber developed the tools needed create her dream career. The Arts Leadership Program (ALP) is reserved for select Eastman students with strong academic records, previous leadership experience, and an awareness of the challenges and opportunities facing professional musicians and artists. In 2018, Amber received a grant through the ALP to observe Dr. Charles Lynch and his work with the Mesa Harp Program.
In 2017, Amber graduated from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Summa cum laude, where she studied with Ina Zdorovetchi. The rigorous performing and academic schedule at the Boston Conservatory exposed Amber to a variety of experiences, from playing in operas, dance shows, musical theater productions, orchestras, new music ensembles, and more. Previously she studied with Kimberly Rowe and Elizabeth Hainen at Temple University. Amber has also played in masterclasses for world renowned harpists Kathleen Bride, Agnes Clement, Rita Costanzi, Jaymee Haefner, Elizabeth Hainen, Susann McDonald, Elzbieta Szmyt, Ghislaine Petit Volta, Ina Zdorovetchi, and Jessica Zhou.
My Story:
The Beginning - Despite my love for the harp now, my first encounter was anything but “love at first sight.” One day when I was about ten years old, my mom said, “Amber, I like the harp. Do you want to learn the harp?” Wanting to please my parents, but not fully realizing what I was getting myself into, I agreed to learn the harp. Though during my first three years I was progressing well, I struggled with feeling isolated because I had not met any other harpists, nor had I any performance opportunities. I had prior experience with piano, playing duets frequently with friends and performing in church and recitals, but during my first three years with harp, I did not have these opportunities. Though there were times I wanted to quit, my parents told me to persevere, and in 2008 I switched teachers to study with Kimberly Rowe – a change that impacted both my relationship with the harp and the course of my career.
Falling in Love - Kimberly Rowe exposed me to a wide variety of performing experiences and repertoire. I finally had a community of harpists to be motivated and inspired by and loved the challenging and supportive environment she created. It was under her tutelage that I began to fall in love with the harp and began to see the new world of possibilities the harp could offer me. Rowe encouraged and pushed me to perform more frequently and get involved with ensembles where I was able to find a community of harpists.
Memories - One of my most memorable experiences was in junior year of high school (May 2012) where I, along with other members of the Young Artists’ Harp Ensemble, under Kimberly Rowe’s direction, performed at the International Festival de la Harpe in Ancenis, France. What made the festival memorable to me was not being in another country, or even performing eight concerts in three days, but that the goal of the festival was to bring harp music to the people of France. After graduating from Eastman, I desire to bring the heart of the festival to my hometown through regularly scheduled community engagement.
My College Experience - My freshman year I attended Temple University, where I had the opportunity to continue studies with Rowe and begin studies with Elizabeth Hainen. I transferred in 2014 to the Boston Conservatory, where I realized my dream to study with Ina Zdorovetchi. The culture of both the conservatory and Zdorovetchi’s studio pushed and enabled me to mature as a harpist. At these institutions, I grew quickly in the rigorous performing and academic settings. Because of the unique, two week large ensemble cycles at the Boston Conservatory, I was required to prepare ensemble music at a fast pace and adapt to different conductors and styles of music, while maintaining high artistic quality. As a result of preparing a jury each semester in addition to two degree recitals, I was pushed to do the same with my solo and chamber repertoire.
Grad School Life - My work with Kathleen Bride at the Eastman School of Music centered on refining my skills and abilities as a harpist. I also received a Certificate through the Arts Leadership Program (ALP). In the ALP, I am learned practical skills and information to grow as an educator and entrepreneur.
Present Day - Currently, I am the music teacher in the Greenwich-Stow Creek Partnership Schools, where I teach music to students in Kindergarten through 8th Grade. I also maintain an active performing schedule and private teaching studio in the South Jersey/Greater Philadelphia Area.
Falling in Love - Kimberly Rowe exposed me to a wide variety of performing experiences and repertoire. I finally had a community of harpists to be motivated and inspired by and loved the challenging and supportive environment she created. It was under her tutelage that I began to fall in love with the harp and began to see the new world of possibilities the harp could offer me. Rowe encouraged and pushed me to perform more frequently and get involved with ensembles where I was able to find a community of harpists.
Memories - One of my most memorable experiences was in junior year of high school (May 2012) where I, along with other members of the Young Artists’ Harp Ensemble, under Kimberly Rowe’s direction, performed at the International Festival de la Harpe in Ancenis, France. What made the festival memorable to me was not being in another country, or even performing eight concerts in three days, but that the goal of the festival was to bring harp music to the people of France. After graduating from Eastman, I desire to bring the heart of the festival to my hometown through regularly scheduled community engagement.
My College Experience - My freshman year I attended Temple University, where I had the opportunity to continue studies with Rowe and begin studies with Elizabeth Hainen. I transferred in 2014 to the Boston Conservatory, where I realized my dream to study with Ina Zdorovetchi. The culture of both the conservatory and Zdorovetchi’s studio pushed and enabled me to mature as a harpist. At these institutions, I grew quickly in the rigorous performing and academic settings. Because of the unique, two week large ensemble cycles at the Boston Conservatory, I was required to prepare ensemble music at a fast pace and adapt to different conductors and styles of music, while maintaining high artistic quality. As a result of preparing a jury each semester in addition to two degree recitals, I was pushed to do the same with my solo and chamber repertoire.
Grad School Life - My work with Kathleen Bride at the Eastman School of Music centered on refining my skills and abilities as a harpist. I also received a Certificate through the Arts Leadership Program (ALP). In the ALP, I am learned practical skills and information to grow as an educator and entrepreneur.
Present Day - Currently, I am the music teacher in the Greenwich-Stow Creek Partnership Schools, where I teach music to students in Kindergarten through 8th Grade. I also maintain an active performing schedule and private teaching studio in the South Jersey/Greater Philadelphia Area.