Biography

Kela Walton holds a Bachelor of Music in Harp Performance from the University of Texas at Austin where she studied with Gayle Barrington.  In 2003 she also completed a Master of Music in Harp Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Houston Moores School of Music where she studied with Houston Symphony principal harpist Paula Page.  Additionally, she is an alumnus of the Salzedo School in Camden, Maine where she studied upon invitation with Alice Chalifoux, retired principal harpist of the Cleveland Orchestra.

A native Texan, Ms. Walton has been performing professionally in central and southeast Texas since 1998.  Currently Kela performs as a freelance harpist in the Austin area, and she is versatile in classical, sacred and popular music styles.  An avid chamber musician, she is the harpist in residence for Audio Inversions a contemporary chamber music concert series, and a founding member of the Breve Duo a flute and harp ensemble - both based in Austin, TX.  Her orchestral credits include performances as a substitute harpist with the Austin Symphony Orchestra, a one year acting principal harp position with the Waco Symphony for the 2005-2006 season, as well as guest appearances with numerous orchestras throughout Texas including the Corpus Christi Symphony and Temple Symphony Orchestra.  In addition to her work with ensembles, Kela performed for four years as solo harpist for Royal Victorian Tea and holiday brunches at Austin's historic Driskill Hotel.

Ms. Walton has been teaching both pedal and lever harp to students of all ages since 1998.  She previously served for two years as harp instructor on the faculty of the University of Houston Moores School of Music Preparatory and Continuing Studies Program, and is currently a member of the harp faculty at the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan.  In addition to maintaining a private studio, she also appears as a guest clinician and harp instructor in schools throughout central Texas.

An active member of the music and harp communities, Ms. Walton belongs to several local and national professional associations and is the past president of the Austin chapter of the American Harp Society.  Kela performs on a Lyon & Healy Salzedo model concert grand pedal harp.