Emma Valdez (10), can be found sitting peacefully on a stool, steadily thrumming the strings of the harp. The melodic tune fills the air, smoothing, calming and telling a sweetening story behind each touch of her finger. Those who hear pause to allow the music to fold through the tissues of the mind, and those who watch see an artist deeply entranced in performance.
Valdez was named the school’s April Artist of the Month, clearly recognized for her talent on the harp and deep commitment to music, both inside and outside of school. With 10 years of experience following her, Valdez credits her growing passion to her home.
“Music was a big part of my household, and I started becoming more and more interested in it,” Valdez said. “I started private lessons with my sisters, and, yeah, I think just since I’ve been playing it for such a long time with consistent private lessons, I’ve just developed a lot of experience and stuff with it.”
Growing up in a family with a passion for music, Valdez shared how she first was introduced.
“My mom used to play the viola, and my dad played the piano,” Valdez said. “So they would always, like, ask us if we wanted, like, we had any musical instruments we were interested in. So once my older sister heard the harp, she really liked it, so she started playing it naturally. Both of my sisters followed, too. Eventually, I just started learning with them.”
In addition to playing for the Torrey Pines Orchestra, Valdez is part of the Civic Youth Orchestra Symphony in Escondido and a member of the San Diego Harp Society, which organizes volunteer events and annual solo performances for local harpists.
“I really like performing for other people, whether it’s for a school event or even for retirement homes,” Valdez said. “Like, since I’m in the San Diego Harp Society, our concerts a lot of the time are performed for like, different people, like, we just performed at a memory loss center, and it’s just really nice to see the impact it has on other people.”
Valdez also volunteers at the Immaculata Church, performs at weddings, and was named runner up in the American Harp Society National Competition, showcasing her experience, depth and commitment to her craft.
Last year, Valdez performed in Carnegie Hall with the Civic Youth Orchestra Symphony.
“That was definitely a unique experience, because it’s one of the greatest concert halls in the world,” Valdez said. “It was really cool to just travel all the way to New York and to perform for a crowd there.”
Her love for the angelic instrument is evident, seeping into every minute of her daily life.
“Every first period of orchestra, my teacher usually lets me practice in the practice room,” Valdez said. “And then on top of that, when I get home, I practice for two hours every day, because I have a lot of music with the different orchestras and my solo pieces.”
The harp requires a unique approach to practice. Valdez shared her usual.
“The harp has pedals that shift each note into different keys, so before I even start playing, I have to mark the pedals inside the music, and when I need to change those for specific notes,” Valdez said. “I also have to annotate, like the fingering for the harp, so which finger I have to use to plug with string. And after that, I just play the music.”
Her discipline and commitment to music runs deeper than the ink on the paper, and ties into everything she does.
“Harp has definitely helped my time management skills, because since I have to juggle a lot of pieces, I have to figure out which ones to practice,” Valdez said. “It takes a long time to learn different pieces, so it’s hard to manage all of them. It’s definitely helped me with school, like which homework assignments I have to make time for.”
The harp is more than just an instrument in Valdez’s eyes — and ears.
“It calms me down, just the sound of the harp is a lot more unique than other instruments, so it’s very relaxing, especially since I’ve been playing for so long,” Valdez said. “It’s just a sound that I hear like a lot around the house, when my sisters are practicing or when I am.”
Valdez’s inspiration is multidimensional.
“I really like Tchaikovsky, his music. He wrote all the classic ballets, like the Nutcracker, which I really like,” Valdez said. “And just looking up to, I think my sisters, for sure, because they inspired me to the harp in the first place.”
Grateful for the nomination, Valdez shared what the award means for her and her musical career.
“It’s definitely an honor to be recognized for all the work I’ve put into the harp,” Valdez said. “I think a lot of people don’t know about the harp, but with this, people will get to see, a glimpse of my practice routine, or just what the harp offers.”
