Los Angeles Harpist – Professional Wedding & Event Harpist
Bring elegance and sophistication to your event with live harp music performed by a highly-trained Los Angeles harpist with over 20 years of experience. Available for weddings, corporate events, private parties, and special occasions throughout Los Angeles and Southern California.
About This Los Angeles Harpist
This Los Angeles harpist earned a Doctor of Arts degree in Harp Performance and Music Education from Ball State University, a Master of Music in Harp from the University of Michigan, and a Bachelor of Music in Harp from Illinois Wesleyan University. He is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, the national music honorary society, and actively performs as a freelance harpist across Los Angeles County and surrounding areas.
With professional training under renowned instructors such as Martha Burwell, Lynne Aspnes, Elizabeth Richter, Alice Chalifoux, Alice Spero Keene, and Ruth Myers, this harpist combines technical mastery with expressive performance to elevate every event.
Los Angeles Harpist Performances
Since 2004, he has performed for hundreds of special events throughout Southern California, including prestigious venues such as:
- Disney Fairy Tale Weddings
- The Magic Castle, Hollywood
- The Peninsula & Montage Hotels
- The Beverly Hills Hotel
- Forest Lawn & Hollywood Forever Cemeteries
- Shutters, Wayfarer's Chapel, and more
He has appeared on television and in film, including HBO's True Blood, TLC's Honey Do, VH1's Tool Academy, Sundance Channel's The Lazy Environmentalist, and the feature film Young, Single and Angry. His solo performances include the Handel B-flat Harp Concerto, Debussy's Danses Sacrée et Profane, and Marcel Tournier's Féerie: Prélude et Danse.
Education & Teaching
In addition to performance, he has taught harp and piano at universities including Indiana Wesleyan University, and served as a teaching assistant at Ball State University and the University of Michigan. He has published research in The American Harp Journal and maintains an active role in mentoring new musicians. He holds memberships in the American Harp Society, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, and The National Guild of Piano Teachers.
Experience & Professional Highlights
Over the years, he has performed for more than 1,200 weddings and thousands of events in Los Angeles and surrounding areas. His repertoire includes classical, contemporary, and popular music, tailored to the unique needs of each client. He frequently collaborates in ensembles such as flute and harp duos, harp, flute, and cello trios, and harp and violin combinations.
He has served as principal harpist with orchestras including the University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Illinois Wesleyan Civic Orchestra, Illinois State University Symphony, and the Muncie Symphony Orchestra. He regularly plays for church services, private events, and public concerts.
Local Venue Authority in Los Angeles
This Los Angeles harpist is trusted by top venues in Southern California:
- The Beverly Hills Hotel – renowned for luxury weddings
- Disney Fairy Tale Weddings – enchanting ceremonies
- The Magic Castle – exclusive Hollywood venue
- Montage & Peninsula Hotels – high-end hotel events
- Forest Lawn & Hollywood Forever Cemeteries – elegant memorials
His extensive experience in these premier venues positions him as a go-to Los Angeles harpist for weddings, corporate functions, and private parties.
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FAQ – Featured Snippets
- How much do you charge for a wedding or event?
- Rates reflect the experience and professionalism required for high-quality harp performances. Fees include preparation, travel, setup, and performance. Weddings typically involve 8-10 hours from consultation to performance.
- Do you offer in-person consultations?
- Most details are handled online via email and website forms, but in-person consultations can be arranged if necessary.
- Can you accompany another musician or vocalist?
- Yes, duos and ensembles can be arranged, including flute and harp duos, harp, flute, and cello trios, and harp and violin combinations.
- Do you play outdoors?
- Yes, with proper inclement weather plans. He communicates with clients in advance to ensure safe and optimal outdoor performances.
- What type of harp do you use?
- Lyon & Healy Style 23 Concert Grand, worth approximately $30,000, equipped with a portable amplifier for clear sound at events.
- Do you provide liability insurance?
- Yes, if required by the venue, through a booking agent. Otherwise, the harpist carries an indemnification clause in his contract.
Areas Served in Los Angeles & Southern California
Serving Los Angeles, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Valencia, Laguna Beach, Anaheim, Pasadena, Santa Clarita, Malibu, Thousand Oaks, Woodland Hills, Westwood, Westlake Village, Pacific Palisades, Marina Del Rey, Glendale, Burbank, Culver City, Long Beach, Palos Verdes, Van Nuys, Sherman Oaks, Manhattan Beach, Orange County, San Pedro, Disneyland, Inland Empire, City of Industry, Ventura.
Google Map – Los Angeles Performance Area
Contact This Los Angeles Harpist
To book or inquire about availability for your wedding, corporate event, or private party, contact:
Email: booking@bestliveentertainment.com
Phone: 1-888-510-3970
Best Entertainment Inc – Los Angeles Harpist Booking
Thank you so much for being a part of our beautiful wedding yesterday. We were so overwhelmed by your wonderful music. – Sarah and Peter, 11/2/14, Malibu, CA
EVERYONE loved you! They thought your version of Stairway to Heaven was phenomenal and that you were very professional and a wonderful musician!! You made my day when I heard When You Wish Upon a Star! Thank you, thank you for all your hard work! – Andrew and Shannon, 8/23/14, Azusa, CA
Yesterday’s event was perfect. I can’t thank you enough for your beautiful music that contributed to my mom’s memorial. She would have been so honored and proud. You were very personable and a pleasure to work with. I thank you for making this a memorable event for my family and me. Thank you. – Stephanie, 7/26/14, Beverly Hills, CA
Once again I wanted to take the time out to tell you how wonderful you were. Professional, punctual and you just made the room relax with your harp playing. It was just perfect for the service and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. – Erick, 7/16/14, Inglewood, CA
Thank you very much for blessing us with your talent this past Saturday. It was an honor to have you perform at our Wedding, we are forever grateful! – Cathy and David, 6/7/14, Torrance, CA
Thank you so much for making our day extra special. – Veronica and Ray, 5/3/14, Anaheim, CA
He was early, prepared, and amazing. Book him!!! – Adam, 4/19/14, Pasadena, CA
Perfection. Professionalism, communication, promptness, quality of performance – all perfect. A memorable part of my mother’s memorial service. Would hire him again without hesitation. – Lane, 4/6/14, Culver City, CA
I just wanted to thank you, again, for playing harp at my wedding. It was beautiful!! Just how I dreamed my wedding to be. Thanks for being so awesome!! – Christine, 10/12/13, Whittier, CA
Thank you so much for your beautiful music, your professionalism, your patience, and your willingness to go the extra mile to make our wedding day extra special. We appreciate you greatly! – Jiyoung and Daniel – 2/9/13, Fullerton, CA
The sounds of your beautiful harp will always resonate in our hearts – Claire, 2/9/13, Covina, CA
I wanted to thank you for the lovely job you did performing at my Mother’s Celebration of Life today. Your music was beautiful and your professionalism was perfect! – Rod, 2/2/13, Long Beach, CA
Everyone was so happy to enjoy your melodies and I do think Für Elise down the aisle was as epic as planned. Thank you so much for playing at our wedding! – Sara and Scotty, 12/12/12, Topanga, CA
Thank you very much for the lovely harp music at our wedding. We appreciate your professionalism and your music was beautiful, adding just the right touch of class to our wedding. – Brett and Julie, 7/12/12, Balboa, CA
Dominic and I heard from our guests that you were AMAZING during the reception. During the ceremony you were fantastic And we truly appreciate everything. Thank you again for EVERYTHING!!! – Erika, 6/30/12, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Thank you again to you and Sara for the exceptional music you provided for my daughter’s wedding yesterday afternoon. I received many compliments about the music. It was very evident you both have had many years of study, practice and performance. – Cheryl, 6/2/12, Upland, CA
It was a pleasure working with you this summer. Thank you for your beautiful music during our orientation event! Our new students really enjoyed it! – Jamie, 8/25/11, Chapman University
There are no words to describe how wonderful Ted is from day one Ted worked together to make an amazing night to remember forever. His professionalism matched his amazing skills. Thank you Ted for everything !! – Vida, 10/9/16, North Hollywood, CA
Ted delighted and surprised us with a wonderful playlist! I know I requested some less popular songs but he was able to play them and I was so happy to know my husband recognized all the songs. It was lovely! We enjoyed it so much! I hired Ted to play for our 20th year anniversary and although it was only us two who danced and listened, he played like a professional. Thank you, Ted! – Suzanne, 9/28/16, Pasadena, CA
Ted was professional, friendly, and accommodating the moment I contacted him to the day of the wedding. He responded to my questions and concerns quickly, and had great customer service! He made me feel at ease throughout the entire time planning and delivered on the day of the wedding. We are so happy we found Ted!- Amy, 9/24/16, Thousand Oaks, CA
Ted was beyond terrific to work with… He was always incredibly prompt in returning all emails and answering any questions that arose. He proactively reached out to my “day of coordinator” to discuss final logistics with her so that I could focus on whatever other wedding items I had at hand. Ted played absolutely beautifully and we received so many compliments on the ceremony music throughout the night. My only regret is that I didn’t get to hear more of him playing! He is an absolute professional and we can’t thank him enough for being such an integral part of making our ceremony so very memorable. – Jennifer, 9/3/16, Calabasas, CA
Impressed with the Music List selections he provided and it was very enjoyable. I am very happy that Ted Nichelson played so beautifully and extremely easy to discuss questions, preparations and overall we will be in touch with him for many events to come. Our guests really loved his performance. – Marina H., 9/2/16, Brea, CA