Elizabeth Hainen

I am delighted to announce that Da-Hong Seetoo, Grammy Award-winning producer and engineer, will be joining Michael Stern and IRIS Orchestra for our upcoming recording. Da-Hong was suggested to me by Jeffrey Khaner who collaborated on his last couple recordings. Unbeknownst to me, Da-Hong has been connected to me for some time through my husband,…

Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noel and Feliz Navidad! We just finished three outstanding performances at The Philadelphia Orchestra with Bramwell Tovey, conductor-pianist, comedian, musician extraordinaire. Each night we waited in eager anticipation for Maestro Tovey’s ad lib expertise. One of my favorite quotes: “a flugelhorn is what trumpet players prefer when they need to be musical.” Outstanding…

We have had construction in our house since October. Supposed to be done by this weekend. These guys have been amazing and I’m completely in awe of our head carpenter, Steve. Anyway, I’ve come to except that we have almost two new bathrooms just shy of Christmas. This was the scene this morning. Finding a…

I really don’t know how to begin. I want to laugh, cry, retail therapy all in one fell-swoop. As of tonight, Les Amis is completely funded. With all of the knowledge, insight and perseverance I should consider becoming a Kickstarter consultant. The reality is that this recording is happening and will become a reality thanks to…

I am pleased to announce that a close friend and patron has made a generous offer of a $5000 Matching Challenge to be met by December 8 (deadline being December 9). That would bring me just over my goal! This is an amazing opportunity so I hope each of you can share my project Les Amis…

As of tonight, I had a phone call from a patron in Memphis wishing to become a generous Backer! And more visibly, I am fortunate to have the support of Maestro Stéphane Denève. He shared some very interesting information with me regarding Debussy. Apparently, after reading about 2000 letters of Debussy’s, Stéphane concluded that he had an…

Today I launched my new Kickstarter project Les Amis! I have only 30 days to raise $18,000 or I don’t receive a dime. The time and research I have given to this recording has definitely made it a much stronger venture. I have never felt so strongly about a project and I feel there is a greater…

As I sit quietly on All Hallow’s Eve I realize that I might have lost my ability to kick my heels up. A year off from our annual party (that consumes my life for a month) might just be a logical decision. But have I neglected my friends? my students? my dog? If this be…

Tonight I had an amazing experience. A very sweet young man named Taylor, who works for Tan Dun, escorted me in a chauffeur-driven odyssey to Zhujiajiao. Situated on the outskirts of Shanghai, Zhujiajiao is an old village lined with canals. A flat bottom boat was waiting for us at the entrance to the town and…

Today I enjoyed teaching several talented, young harpists at the Shanghai Harp Center. Professor Jason Chang has a wonderful studio where he is also the distributor for Salvi and Lyon & Healy harps.