Alyssa Michalsky

Professional harpist and harp teacher in Dundas, Ontario

Alyssa Michalsky is a professional harpist currently residing in Dundas, Ontario, Canada and performing in Toronto and throughout south eastern Ontario. She has performed at over 4,000 weddings and events since the age of 12. Alyssa has dedicated her life's studies to music. She began playing the piano at age three, the harp at age five, and the Ukrainian national instrument, the bandura at age eight, and went on to win numerous musical awards and scholarships in all three instruments, including 1st place at the National Harp Scholarship Competition in the USA in 2001.

A graduate of the Bachelor's and Master's Harp Performance program at the University of Toronto, Alyssa had the privilege of studying with one of the world's most renowned harpists, Judy Loman, for six years. During her studies, she recorded two classical harp and flute CD's and toured across Ontario performing with her Lyon and Healy Concert Grand Electric Harp - the same harp used for all four of her professional recordings. After completing her musical studies, she obtained a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Toronto. Subsequently, she taught elementary school music for the Toronto District School Board while solidifying her private music business.

Alyssa has been teaching harp and piano lessons for almost and runs a successful private music studio in Dundas, Ontario. Although Alyssa’s background teaching children has been a valuable asset to her studio, she is highly revered for the success of her adult students. Her ability to invoke higher musical capabilities in adults, breaking physical and psychological barriers for progression, has been noted as profoundly gifted.

In the summer of 2009, Alyssa was appointed the position of the newest harp examiner for the Royal Conservatory of Music of Canada. In 2011, Alyssa was appointed the harp professor at the University of Western Ontario. Widely sought after as an adjudicator, Alyssa is delighted to be able to pass on her musical education and insight to the future generation

Alyssa's business, Divine Harp has been providing live musical electric harp entertainment to clients all over Ontario blending classical sound and technique with her uniquely stylized arrangements of contemporary music. Actively examining, adjudicating, teaching and performing on the harp is the greatest joy Alyssa could ever have hoped for in her very colourful and seasoned career as an artist.

Alyssa's Resume

  • Bachelor of Education, University of Toronto - 2004
  • Master of Music in Harp Performance, University of Toronto - 2003
  • Bachelor of Music in Harp Performance, University of Toronto - 2001
  • Grade 10 Conservatory – Harp
  • Grade 9 Conservatory – Piano
  • Grade 3 Conservatory Harmony Theory
  • Grade 3 Conservatory History Theory
  • Royal Conservatory of Canada Adjudicator, Training Program - 2008
  • Suzuki Piano Book 1 and 2 Training Certificates, Carole Bigler - 2004
  • Suzuki Harp Book 1 Training Certificate, Mary K. Waddington - 2000
  • American Harp Society Conferences & Courses - (1998 - Present)
  • American Harp Society Jazz Conferences & Courses - (1998 - Present)
  • Marusia Yaworska Ukranian Canadian Scholarship for Musical Excellence - 2002
  • 1st place Anne Adams National Scholarship Competition - 2001
  • Women's Organization of Toronto Music Excellence Scholarship - 2001
  • Orchestral Excellence Scholarship, University of Toronto - 2000
  • 4th place Anne Adams National Scholarship Competition - 2000
  • 4th Place American National Competition - 2000
  • Numerous Kiwanis 1st place wins for harp, piano and bandura
  • 4th place in World Bandura competition - 1996
  • Adjudicator for the Ottawa Kiwanis Festival - April 2015
  • Adjudicator for the Guelph Kiwanis Festival - April 2015
  • Adjudicator for the London Kiwanis Festival - April 2015
  • Adjudicator for the Ontario Kiwanis Provincials - April 2014
  • Adjudicator for the Ottawa Kiwanis Festival - April 2013
  • Holiday Harmonies - Solo Concert - Dec 2012
  • Glen Gould Studio Ukrainian Tribute Concert - Guest Artist - Oct 2012
  • Divine Delights - Solo Concert - Aug 2012
  • Appointed the position of Harp Instructor, University of Western Ontario - 2011
  • Adjudicator for the London Harp Kiwanis Festival - 2011
  • Chapters CD Release Concert Tour - 2009
  • Appointed the position of the newest Harp Examiner, Royal Conservatory of Music of Canada - 2009
  • Adjudicator for the Toronto Harp Society Scholarship Competition - 2004
  • Graduation Master's Recital - 2003
  • Huntsville Association for the Performing Arts – Harp & Flute Concert - 2002
  • Durham Concert Association – Harp & Flute Concert - 2002
  • Whitby Concert Series - Harp & Flute Concert - 2002
  • 1st year Master's Recital - 2002
  • Glen Gould Debut with Flutist Kim Shippey - 2001
  • RiverRun Centre – Harp & Flute Concert - 2001
  • Divas & Desserts – CD promotion concert - 2000
  • Mooredale Concert Series Guest Solo Artist - 2001
  • Graduation Bachelor's Recital - 2001
  • Soloist with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra - 1999
  • Principal harp with the Boris Brott National Academy Orchestra - 1999
  • Principal harp with the University of Toronto Symphony Orchestra - 1999 - 2003
  • House harpist at the Ancaster Old Mill Inn - 1999 - 2003
  • Harp Professor for the University of Western Ontario - (2010 - Present)
  • Private harp and piano instructor - (1997 - Present)
  • Owner and manager of a private music studio housing over 20 students - (2004 - Present)
  • Bandura instructor in Toronto under Victor Mishalow - 1997 - 2003
  • “Divine Harp” Solo Electric Harp - 2009
  • “Divine Christmas” Solo Electric Harp - 2009
  • “Divas” Harp and Flute - 2000
  • “Snow Angels” Harp and Flute - 2000
Divine Harp - Alyssa Michalsky
Divine Harp - Alyssa Michalsky
Divine Harp - Alyssa Michalsky
Divine Harp - Alyssa Michalsky