—This story was submitted by Lindsay Haukom ’25E
My name is Lindsay Haukom and I am currently a senior harp performance major at Eastman, as well as a candidate for the Catherine Filene Shouse Arts Leadership Program Certificate. I love Eastman and enjoy being actively involved in the Eastman community as a musician, student, and employee.
Lindsay Haukom
Ensemble playing and collaborating with my colleagues is one of my favorite things about being a musician, and I have performed with many large ensembles and student groups throughout my time here. Some of my most memorable ensemble experiences include playing with the Eastman Harp Ensemble for Eastman’s annual Holiday Sing concert and the Eastman Centennial in March of 2022, performing in the pit with my wonderful studiomate, Catherine, for Eastman Opera Theater’s production of Dialogues des Carmélites and “La La Land in Concert” with the Empire Film and Media Ensemble, as well as premiering a Centennial commission for choir, harp, piano, and percussion with the Eastman Chorale. I have always been a passionate “band kid” and playing in the school bands is what led me to want to pursue harp professionally, so one of my most meaningful experiences here has been to play with the Eastman Wind Ensemble (EWE) and work with Dr. Mark Scatterday. In particular, performing on Dr. Donald Hunsberger’s memorial concert in December of 2023 and recording two works by Jeff Tyzik in May of 2024 were memorable experiences.
Harp and viola collaboration.
I enjoy collaborating with my colleagues, and have played in multiple chamber groups and participated in composition student recitals and recording sessions. One of my favorite chamber experiences here was when my awesome violist, Katherine, and I recorded an esoteric arrangement of Prokofiev’s Cinderella Suite for harp and viola.
Fun fact – over the course of my time here, I have held eight different volunteer or employment positions on campus. I have worked in student life/activities, as an usher, and in the office of the Institute of Music Leadership. Working as an RA for Summer@Eastman in 2023 is actually how I met Aida, my talented and amazing bestie. I currently enjoy working with my wonderful supervisor, Michele, at the Eastman Welcome Center, so feel free to stop by and say hi!
This fall semester, I was excited to be Dr. Sylvie Beaudette’s first intern for Music for All (MFA), as this program is being relaunched this year after a period of hiatus. As a proud member of the Eastman community, I am glad that we are reinstating a program that allows a majority of our students to have the opportunity to share our art form with many different groups of people here in the Rochester area. Through my time working for MFA, I have learned a few things about how important it is to be able to tailor performances to various audiences in order to form genuine connections.
Learning organ as a second instrument.
In addition to pursuing a degree in harp, I started learning the organ as a secondary instrument here at Eastman and currently study with the wonderful Aaron Tan. I am also a member of his choir at The Church of St. Luke and St. Simon Cyrene. I enjoy music theory, and recommend taking Dr. Bruce Frank’s Modal Counterpoint class for some exciting counterpoint fun! Outside of music, my favorite things include taking walks in the outdoors, spending time with family and friends, and playing with my beloved little cat, Kitten (she is so cute – black with yellow eyes).
Lindsay’s cat, Kitten!
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here at Eastman, getting to learn and make music with so many wonderful people. I am thankful for the friends I have made here, my studiomates, my past and present supervisors, all the professors and TAs with whom I have worked with here, and especially my esteemed harp professor, Kathleen Bride. I look forward to making the most of the remainder of my senior year and presenting my senior recital, which will be a beautiful harp and organ duo recital (with Aaron as my collaborator) at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Friday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m. — I hope to see you there!
As I am nearing the end of my senior year, I find myself reflecting often upon my time here — the experiences I have had and the invaluable connections I have made. It has been a privilege to collaborate and connect with so many wonderful members of the Eastman community, and I know that I am one of many students, faculty, and staff members who share this sentiment. In the end, it really is our engagement with the community at Eastman and beyond that brings the most meaning and joy to everything we do.