Co-Principal Harp
Robert & Nancy Giles Chair
Harpist Sylvia Norris is well known to Michigan audiences as both a recitalist and orchestral musician. A Michigan native, for over 25 years she has played principal harp with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra and loves playing under the outstanding leadership of her old friend and fellow Lansing symphony orchestra musician Maestro Kevin Rhodes.
Sylvia currently shares the chair with fellow harpist Joan Holland. She is also currently principal harpist of the West Michigan Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Battle Creek Symphony. She held the position of second harpist with the Grand Rapids Symphony for 17 years, has appeared with the Detroit Symphony as well as every other Michigan orchestra of note and recently appeared as guest harpist with the Billings, Montana Symphony.
She is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, where she studied with Eileen Malone. Sylvia loves to play chamber music and plays in many chamber settings, including the Chamber Music Festival of Saugatuck, the Dancing Bear Music Series and the Interlochen Arts Camp, where she works as a summer instructor of harp.
In 2005, she was chosen to tour with Josh Groban to Bermuda, where she was privileged to also appear in recital with legendary flutist Sir James Galway. Sylvia and her family reside in Traverse City, where she continues to teach privately and is active in her church and community.
