Meet the Duo
Karen and Merle have been ...... joined forces to create the Center Street Harp Duo in 2008 and......
Karen Miller
Harpist Karen Miller began her music career at Lyben’s Music Store of Kansas City participating in the musical kindergarten class twice a week for one year. At age four she began studying piano, began the clarinet at age ten and has played the harp since the age of twelve after being invited to participate in the Lyon-Healy Troubadour Harp Program for one year in the Kansas City Public Schools. Karen’s first harp teacher was Mary Johnston, a student of Margaret Ling. All students of the Harp Program received coaching from both Margaret Ling and Clifford Wooldridge. In high school, Karen studied harp with the appointed harpist for the Kansas City Philharmonic each season. Arriving at Arizona State University, Karen began studying with Ester McLaughlin. It was during this time that Karen and Merle became acquainted and played together in the ASU symphony under Eugene Lombardi. Karen completed her Bachelor of Music Education in instrumental music, harp emphasis and then went on to earn her Master of Harp Performance Pedagogy from ASU studying with Suzanne Balderston. In the fall of 1974 Karen joined the Mesa Public Schools Music Program to begin a program of harp study for their students. She taught elementary band and general music while building the program and when the harp program had passed the 60+-student mark, Karen was appointed full-time harp specialist. Many of her students have gone on to pursue professional careers in the harp. This year there are seventy-six students participating the Mesa Public Schools Harp Program. Karen enjoys teaching and performing on the harp. Karen also teaches privately and performs regularly for special events and with area orchestras. Additionally, Karen has served several churches as children’s choir director and she participates regularly as a church musician. Playing duets and chamber music is a special joy for Karen.
Merle Wittmeyer
Merle Wittmeyer began studying the harp at West Phoenix High School, the fall of 1961. Ester McLaughlin was his teacher and mentor until his graduation from ASU in the spring of 1972 with a BA. Harp was his major instrument. He also studied with Alice Chalifoux and learned her system of harp playing using the Salzedo method. He studied keyboard with Dr. Roy Johnson, Dan Durand, and Kim Armbruster. Merle completed 30 years as management analyst with the Department of Treasury and retired in May of 2008. In retirement he has devoted himself to learning about pianos, their care and turning, and has returned to playing the harp with Karen Miller in the Center Street Harp Duo.