Harp Lessons
Please make an inquiry for more information about Lever and Pedal Harp lessons.
*Harp lessons are only available in-person.
Director, Harpist, Harp teacher
FRANCES KONOMI
Based in Kuala Lumpur; Malaysian-Japanese harpist, Frances Konomi began playing harp at the age of nine. A versatile artist, Konomi enjoys playing in unique chamber ensembles alongside vocalists and instrumentalists. In a recent solo recital, she performed, both classical and contemporary works, by Bach, Fauré, Hindemith, Strauss, and Alan Thomas which featured duos for soprano and harp, and guitar and harp.
Ms. Konomi's main accolades include her performances alongside many celebrated conductors such as Jane Glover and New York Philharmonic organist, Kent Tritle.
Konomi has been invited to perform as a soloist in Permata Seni—a Malaysian government arts initiative for talented youth. Among Konomi’s achievements include her extended time as harpist of the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. She has also had the honor of performing solo for Associated Board of the Royal School of Music (ABRSM) former Chief Executive Officer, Guy Perricone, as well as notable members of the Malaysian Government, including Malaysia's former Prime Minister and family. Ms. Konomi has also been featured in multiple Malaysian newspapers, including Sin Chew Daily, News Strait Times and Malay Mail.
She has performed in masterclasses conducted by harp luminaries, Julia Rovinsky, Emmanuel Ceysson, Xavier de Maistre, and Isabelle Moretti.
In addition to performing, a versatile teaching artist, Frances Konomi's main concentration is in the development of young, or beginner, music students. Ms.Konomi considers harp technique and foundational skills to be an integral part of her work after fully reforming her harp technique in New York. She integrates Alexander Technique into her teaching style and views it as a key component of her harp performance technique. Ms. Konomi holds a non-degree certification from doing external Alexander Technique courses.
Her area of expertise extends beyond the harp and includes piano and music theory. Ms. Konomi has experience in teaching piano and has prepared advanced harpists for ABRSM examinations. She is certified by the ABRSM for classical harp, piano, and theory. Frances has repeatedly been recognized as one of ABRSM's highest scoring candidates in Malaysia. She has been invited to perform solo harp in ABRSM's honorable High scorer's concert on multiple occasions. She also holds certifications from the Yamaha Music School in keyboard and foundation skills.
During the third year of her undergraduate degree at Manhattan School of Music (MSM) in New York City, Ms. Konomi was granted 'Advanced-standing', which allowed her to graduate a semester early from the conservatory. She now holds a Bachelor of Music degree from MSM, where she studied with Mariko Anraku, Associate Principal Harpist of the Metropolitan Opera. She is also a proud and continuous recipient of the rare and prestigious President’s Award, merit-based, scholarship.
Ms.Konomi is very well-acquainted with the British, American, Japanese and Malaysian music education systems and looks forward to contributing her experiences to the advancement of music education, as the Director of Konomi Music Center, in Malaysia.
