Phoebe Durand-McDonnell grew up on Mount Desert Island on the coast of Maine, surrounded by serene forests and the sea. She began studying harp at age 10 with Liza Rey Butler, and later attended the New England Conservatory Preparatory School and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, where she studied with Franziska Huhn and Ann Hobson-Pilot. At age 17, Phoebe received a Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award Scholarship and was featured on the popular radio show From The Top.

 

Phoebe earned a Bachelor of Music at Oberlin Conservatory, majoring in harp with acclaimed soloist Yolanda Kondonassis. She was principal harpist at the Vancouver Orchestral Institute, National Music Festival, and Pierre Monteux School, and performed as principal in the Oberlin Choir, Oberlin Orchestra, and Oberlin Chamber Orchestra. While at Oberlin, Phoebe discovered a deep love for early music and historical harps. She attended Hudební Lahůdky in the Czech Republic to study baroque harp and improvisation with historical harpist Dr. Maria Cleary.  

 

Phoebe received a 2019 Fulbright Research grant to study with Dr. Cleary at the Haute École de Musique Genève (HEM) in Geneva, Switzerland. Phoebe received her first MA in interprétation spécialisée, pratique des instruments historiques in 2021 from HEM, with intensive study on medieval and renaissance single- and double-rowed harps, Spanish arpa de dos ordenes, Italian and Welsh baroque arpa doppia, and the harpe organisée, or single-action pedal harp. In 2023, Phoebe completed an MA in musicology at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where her thesis was titled "'She Drew Forth Its Strongest Sounds': Tracing the Historical Throughline of Women Harpists." 

 

Phoebe is available as a continuo player, soloist, or orchestral player on renaissance, baroque, early classical, or modern harp. She was assisted throughout her musical journey by the generous support of her Island community, and gives back through benefit concerts and lectures. In addition to performance and historical research, Phoebe loves fiber arts, hiking, and horses.

 

Phoebe is deeply grateful to live in the traditional and current homeland of the Wabanaki Nations.