Professional Bio and Calendar of Events
Susan Knapp Thomas, harpist, received her Bachelor’s Degree from the Eastman School of Music, and is a well-known Chamber, Orchestral and Solo Concert Artist and teacher throughout Connecticut and Southern New England.

Ms.Thomas has been featured in concert at The Sunken Garden Poetry Festival, the Trinity College Summer Concert Series, The Mt. Washington Hotel in New Hampshire, SUNY Cobleskill, and has twice been a guest artist for Hartford’s New World Chamber Ensemble series in November of ‘98, in concert with violinist Anhared Stowe. In 1993 she appeared with world reknowned teacher and flutist Brad Garner at the National Flute Convention, and is co-founder of her own flute and harp duos and flute, harp and 'cello trios, for which she has made several arrangements. In October of 2005 she premiered a new work for harp, cello and voice written by Connecticut composer Sarah Meneely-Kyder, "Behold Night's Dream Unveiled."

Susan maintains an active seasonal schedule with The Hartford Symphony and the Waterbury Symphony, and performed as harpist for the U.S. Coast Guard Band from 1987-2002. Ms. Thomas regularly plays touring shows for the Bushnell and the Shubert Theaters in Hartford and New Haven, CT, and frequently for Frank Sinatra Jr. She has done backup work for such notables as Judy Collins, the group "Yes", the Beach Boys, Brian Wilson, and Ray Charles. Ms Thomas has performed for Senator Joseph Lieberman, and Representative Barbara Kennely. Her recently released CD, Everlasting Sunday, was a finalist considered by the Greater Hartford Arts Council for one of their donor level gifts. She is also recorded on the Opus label.

As a harp soloist, Ms. Thomas has been featured with I Giovanni Solisti, the Farmington Valley and Wallingford Symphonies, and the Connecticut Valley Chamber Orchestra, performing Debussy's Danses Sacree et Profane, Ravel's Introduction and Allegro, and Mozarts Concerto for Flute and Harp. She has been a featured solo guest artist for numerous concert series in both Northern and Southern New England.

Ms. Thomas is on the faculty at MusicMakers Academy in Manchester, and Central Connecticut State University. Several of her students are repeat winners of several area competitions, and perform regularly. She has coached many student ensembles, and since 2002 has developed, marketed and run her own yearly student summmer course program. Her students were first and second and third prize winners in the American Harp Society Connecticut Chapter Harp Competition in the spring of 2005. Ms. Thomas is a regular contributing writer to "The Harp Column" magazine.

Ms. Thomas lives in Bloomfield with her husband, Brad, and their Australian Shepherds, Tillie and Pepper. When not playing the harp, Susan enjoys training and trialing her dogs in the sport of agility, traveling with her husband and anything outdoors.

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November 2007
Connecticut Opera - Tosca Thurs., Nov 1, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 3, 8:00 p.m. Bushnell Center for Performing Arts, Hartford, CT
American Harp Society Concert and Tribute Sunday, Nov. 4, 3:00 p.m. Stratford Public Library
A Concert in Tribute to Marcel Grandjany
Hartford Symphony Orchestra Friday and Saturday, Nov. 9 and 10, 8:00 p.m.
Music of Stravinsky, Gershwin, Debussy and Ravel
Trinity College Choral Concert Friday, Nov. 16, Time TBA Trinity College Chapel,.
Choral Music featuring Four Songs for Two Horns and Harp, by Johannes Brahms
December 2007
Holiday Background Music, Students of Susan Knapp Thomas Sunday, Dec. 2, 11:00a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Mark Twain Holiday House Tour
Elegant homes in West Hartford and Hartford on display
Lessons and Carols Sunday, Dec. 2, 4:00 p.m. Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Farmington Ave, Hartford CT
Holiday Choral Concert Thursday, Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m., St. James's Church, Farmington Ave., West Hartford, CT
Holiday Choral Concert Saturday, Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m., 1st Methodist Church, Meriden, CT
Clay Aiken Concert Sunday, Dec. 9, 7:00 p.m., Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, CT
CONCORA Concert Saturday, Dec. 15, 4:00 and 8:00 p.m., St. Joseph College Chapel, West Hartford, CT
Holiday Music Church Services Sunday, Dec. 22, 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., Asylum Hill Congregational Church, ASylum Ave., Hartford, CT
**Susan's CD, Everlasting Sunday, now available here at harppro.com!**