Interview with Kathryn Harsha
Until recently, Kathryn Harsha was “just…”
- Conductor of three Chorales: Schweinhaut, Rockville, and Glen Echo,
- Conductor of two Rocks groups: Annapolis and Riderwood,
- and the Artistic Director of the Alexandria Choral Society.
But that wasn’t enough for her to take on! Since Brian Fontaine-Isaac’s departure at the end of January, she’s also Encore’s Interim Artistic Director of Programming.
Kathryn has a bachelor’s degree in piano performance and a master’s in conducting. She grew up surrounded by music: her parents love to sing, and her father founded their community Masterworks Chorale, so she doesn’t remember a time when she wasn’t listening to performances of oratorios. Being raised in the Mennonite church meant that she grew up sight reading in 4-part harmony. It took her many years to realize how unusual that was!
She started piano at age 5, which was quickly followed by dance lessons, flute lessons, and singing in choirs. She participated in as much as she could–marching band, orchestra, bell choir, jazz band, musicals and opera. She not only performed in those areas, but she also conducted in most of them as well, first in Cleveland, then in Baltimore, and now in the D.C. area.
Music has obviously meant so much to her–it’s interlaced with her personality. The summer she got married, she was a wedding pianist for 11 other friends. Through music, she’s made dear friends, raised money for causes she cares deeply about and has gotten to travel the world. Different music resonates with her in different times and seasons; she makes a playlist for almost every season each new year, and now her kids do, too.
Kathryn loves watching new singers grow in confidence in their abilities and comfort. As with anything, she says, “the more tools you have, the more fun it becomes, and in a chorus, when you’re not feeling confident about a spot, you’ve got friends around you who will carry you on. It’s a lot like life; plus we all get some delightful musical earworms to accompany you through the week.”
Her greatest pleasure comes after a rehearsal when her singers are lingering and happily chatting with each other. “That feeling of being connected to a caring and vibrant community is priceless.” The tour in Germany, she thinks, was pretty spectacular, too, especially the packed concert in the lovely town of Wertheim. She’s also looking forward to making great memories in Ireland this summer.
Kathryn and her husband, Tom, live in Marriottsville. Their two children graduated from Eckerd college in Florida and both live and work close to the beach now.
When her music duties are at a low(ish) ebb in the summer, her happy place is her garden. Gardens line every side of her house, with four more gardens in the backyard. There’s a lot of weeding to be done, but she and Tom have bouquets to give to friends from early spring to the first frost.
She is also a chocoholic, often telling singers that if they must miss rehearsals because they are traveling abroad, all will be forgiven if they bring her chocolate.
When she isn’t making music or gardening, Kathryn loves to travel the world, especially with her family or on a choir tour.
For Kathryn, the intersection of musical excellence and positive community impact is so meaningful, and that’s the core of Encore’s mission. “The variety of musical styles keeps it fun for everyone, and all the people are fantastic.”
Kathryn says she is honored to be a small part of this incredible team and community: “A huge BRAVI TUTTI to the incredible staff at Encore, and especially Brian Fontaine-Isaac, whose shoes will be impossible to fill.”