Morgan Melissa Harpist

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Melissa Morgan has played the harp for most of her life. Born in Dallas, Texas, she began classical studies at the age of eight with symphony harpist Julia Louise Herrmann. Morgan performed her first solo classical recital when she was twelve; she began her professional harp career when she was fourteen as the harpist for the Dallas Repertory Theatre. Morgan continued classical studies and performance through college, graduating magna cum laude from Pepperdine University. In 1977 Melissa relocated to Micronesia where she was the recipient of an Insular Arts Grant which allowed her to teach music to more than two thousand island children. She played the harp regularly at the prestigious Reef Hotel on Tumon Bay (an international tourist spot especially favored by the Japanese), played for the governor, and wrote and published a book on teaching music. San Diego became Morgan's professional base in 1979. Gateways, her first recording of original music, debuted in 1980. 1982 s aw the release of two more recordings, Heart and Erin's Harp. Erin's Harp reflected Morgan's interest in traditional Irish music and the acquisition of several folk harps. Melissa began touring and became internationally known and recognized as a harpist and composer. Invocation to Isis (with Diane Clarke on flute) was released in 1984; happenstance dance followed in 1986.