Lani Krantz – British Columbia

harpist . Teacher . Vancouver Island Symphony . Vancouver Symphony Orchestra extra . Winter Harp

Autumn. It is such a beautiful season here in B.C. We often have warm days and chilly nights and the against the backdrop of the mountains and the evergreen forests, the changing colours of the leaves is absolutely magical. For a few years at the start of my career, I traveled from Vancouver to the interior of B.C. to play with the Okanagan Symphony and that drive through the mountains in the fall has some of the most incredible scenery! I also love fall because it signifies the bustle of wedding season coming to a close and the school year and symphony season start. It feels like a fresh new start each year. – Lani

My Story
I am proud to say, I am a third generation freelance musician which essentially means I spent my childhood making noise on whatever instrument was within arm’s reach! Learning I had a love of music making and performing, my parents thought harp lessons would be a good path toward more career prospects down the road. When I was eight I had my first harp lesson with Mrs. Taka Kling at the Victoria Conservatory and I LOVED it. Of course! 

I continued with lessons off & on through grade school and as I didn’t have a harp at home,  the Victoria Conservatory kindly allowed me to practice on their school harp so I travelled there after school as often as I could. I am so grateful for Mrs. Kling who held my learning up to a high standard — even if I hadn’t had any practice time on the harp that week. She was always encouraging but stuck to her expectations and I developed excellent sight reading skills that I lovingly attribute to having to make it successfully through those lessons on no practice! 

After high school I completed my degree in harp performance from UBC studying with Elizabeth Volpe Bligh and spent summers at the Aspen School of Music and touring with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada. After graduating, I finally rented my very first pedal harp—a gorgeous little Lyon & Healy Style 15—and was officially able to work. I now have that harp-buying bug and own more harps than I need!

Currently, I’m the Principal Harpist with the Vancouver Island Symphony and a regular extra with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, where I’ve played 2nd Harp and Acting Principal as needed for nearly 20 years. As a freelancer, I perform with large ensembles, pickup orchestras & chamber groups and for weddings/events. I love singing while I play, improvising, and diving into all genres of music—don’t ask me to pick a favourite!

The summer of 2016 brought one of my most memorable career moments: while literally in early labor with my son, I opened my email to find Winter Harp founder, Lori Pappajohn asking if I would like a dream job – to perform with them that December. I replied that I was a little busy at the moment, but that my playing schedule looked rather free for the next while! I’ve been performing with Winter Harp ever since, and in 2021 I took on the role of Production Manager. It is a wonderful challenge to work on both sides of the curtain and a joy to be a part of such a sparkling, heart-warming, magical show. 

As an instructor, I teach for the Vancouver Academy of Music and the Vancouver Symphony School of Music. I am also on staff in the music department at Douglas College where students can complete a 2 year music degree with a major or minor in lever harp. Lessons focus on theory in practice to develop technique and improvisational skills for careers such as music therapy or early years music. In 2024 I completed a Diploma in Early Years Education at UBC and expanded into early childhood teaching at the VSO School of Music, leading group classes from babies to kindergarteners. I am passionate about exploring how we can connect contemporary Canadian early learning frameworks and discourses with the world of private music lessons to make learning rich, supportive, and joyful. – Lani

Studies:
Bachelor of Music – Harp Major, UBC
Aspen School of Music
National Youth Orchestra of Canada
Early Years Education Dip. UBC

Positions: 
Okanagan Symphony Acting Principal Harp – 2001-2004
Vancouver Island Symphony Principal Harp – 2004- present
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Extra – 2006-present
Winter Harp Performer – 2016-present
Winter Harp Production Manager – 2021-present
West Coast Harp Society – BC Chapter of the American Harp Society, Secretary

Teaching: 
Harp Instructor, Vancouver Academy of Music 
Harp Instructor, Vancouver Symphony School of Music
Early Years Music Instructor, Vancouver Symphony School of Music
Harp Instructor, Douglas College – 2-year music degree with option for major or minor in lever harp.