CHELSEA BALMER
BEHIND THE MUSIC
The narrative thread, from Indiana to Maastricht
The harp's capacity for storytelling through music, besides its plain beauty, captivated Chelsea from a young age. Though classically trained, she has always loved exploring the potential of the harp in a variety of genres and in combination with other artforms, pairing music with poetry, written story, or painting, or simply expressing a heartfelt narrative through the music itself.
Before moving to Maastricht, Chelsea had already been active in the gigging world in the United States around her home state of Indiana for more than 10 years, working diligently as a soloist or with ensembles, choirs, orchestras, and theatres, gaining experience with the practical side of musician-hood.
Her journey with the harp began in 2005 at the age of eight, starting a passionate pursuit of the instrument which led through her bachelor's in harp performance at the esteemed Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. There she studied under world-renowned Distinguished Professor Emerita Susann McDonald, as well as professors Elzbieta Szmyt, Elizabeth Hainen, and Florence Sitruk. Through the exposure to many professors and pedagogical styles, Chelsea was able to grow in the versatility and strength of her own teaching style. During her study she was also awarded the Jacobs School of Music "Performer's Certificate" for musical excellence demonstrated in recital.
Europe captured her heart next. Following a semester studying in Vienna under the instruction of Anneleen Lenaerts, Limburg-born harpist of international fame, Chelsea resolved to pursue her master's in harp performance with Anneleen at Conservatorium Maastricht, where she graduated cum laude in 2021.
Since her graduation Chelsea has been occupied with performing multiple solo recitals in Maastricht, as well as taking on diverse projects such as the recording and performing of newly composed music, and arranging music from film and orchestra settings for solo harp.