Alishia Joubert - Seattle Harpist - Beautiful Wedding & Event Harp Music

Please take a moment to read this interview
before hiring Alishia Joubert for your wedding.

How long have you been playing the harp and how did you become a harpist?

I saw my first harp when I was 4 years old, and fell in love with it instantly! Our pastor at the time had a teenage daughter who played the harp, and she demonstrated it for the children’s choir during one of our rehearsals. All I remember is desperately wanting to touch it, and knowing that I was going to play it when I became a “big girl” like her. I began taking lessons when I was 9 years old, and played for my first wedding when I was 16. By the age of 18, I was regularly performing for private events, and have never looked back!

We love your services and the testimonials you’ve gotten! Everything sounds fantastic. Can you tell us what sets you apart from other harpists?

Like many harpists, I started my college career wanting to become a harpist for an Opera company. Two years into my college training, I changed course and decided to focus on performing for private events. This is not a second choice for me. While I still enjoy occasionally performing for area orchestras and chamber groups, I absolutely LOVE participating in important events in the lives of individual clients. Weddings are my absolute favorite! I understand the emotions my clients are facing. In the past 5 years I have planned a wedding, and buried a loved one. In the past, I have also been on the planning committee for a large event. I understand how very important your wedding day is to you, and am honored to play a part in making it special and memorable.

This all sounds so wonderful, but it also sounds expensive. Are we going to be able to afford it?

Incorporating live music at an event that is meaningful to you is an investment you can’t afford to go without! Recorded music simply can’t respond to the fluctuations in mood and atmosphere that a live musician can, and forget about timing your walk down the aisle to a song on the IPod! I can perfectly match your arrival at the end of that aisle without any awkward stopping or annoying “fade outs”. A variety of packages are available for weddings, and I am happy to help you find the perfect one to fit your wedding day plans.

Who do you work best with, and who may not be a good fit for your services?

I work best with couples who are excited about planning their wedding! I love hearing how you met, how you got engaged, and the details you are planning that make your wedding unique. All of that information helps me guide you through selecting the perfect music that will reflect you as a couple on your wedding day. I hate cookie-cutter weddings, and believe that music is one of the best ways to individualize your ceremony.

I have also learned that I work best with people who communicate well. Not returning phone calls or email is a HUGE pet peeve of mine. I pride myself on keeping my clients in the loop, and expect the same of them as well.

Heaven forbid, but what if you get sick and can’t play my wedding, or, what if something happens to your harp?

Great questions! After all, there is only one of me! However, the harp world is a very friendly one, and I have a list of colleagues whose playing I trust, that I can call if anything should ever happen that prevents me from playing. However, I can proudly say that I have NEVER missed a wedding in 16 years!

If anything happens to the harp…well, I’m a lucky girl to have multiple harps! If something tragic happened to one of my harps, I have two others I can use. Sizes and styles may differ, but the music will stay the same.

Will you work with my vocalist?

Absolutely! It’s fun for me to play with others! I will need to have a chat with them at least one month prior to the wedding, and a quick rehearsal will take place about an hour before your ceremony at no extra charge. Additional rehearsals can be arranged if needed, for an additional fee.

Do you take credit cards?

I can accept credit cards via PayPal.

This sounds exactly what I’m looking for. What do I do next to start the process?

Fantastic! Please take a moment to view my packages to become familiar with the options available.

The next step is to email me with your wedding date, time and location. I will respond within 24 hours to confirm my availability, at which point we can discuss the packages in greater detail and select the one that works best for you.

We have a couple more questions before we get started. Can we call you to discuss further?

Absolutely! I can be reached at 425-821-1697, but email is usually the best way to reach me.

Download high-resolution promotional
photos by selecting a thumbnail

About Alishia

Harpist, Alishia Joubert, is originally from Des Moines, IA where she began playing the harp at the age of nine. She was introduced to the harp at her church children’s choir when she was five years old and knew at that moment that she wanted to be a harpist when she became a “big girl”. To this day, Alishia encourages children (and adults!) to get up close to the harp and ask questions. This encouragement follows through to her teaching studio where she encourages students, young and mature alike, to tackle the challenges and joys of playing the harp.

Upon graduation from high school, Alishia went on to study harp performance at Northwestern University with Liz Cifani, principal harpist of the Chicago Lyric Opera. Throughout her studies, Alishia participated in numerous master classes with harpists Alice Chalifoux, former harpist of the Cleveland Orchestra; Jana Bouskova, professional solo harpist; Ray Pool, professional solo harpist; Natalia Shameyeva, current harpist of the Bolshoi Ballet; and Alfredo Rolando Ortiz, Paraguayan solo harpist. She has also had private lessons with Harvey Griffin, solo jazz harpist; Sebastian Lipman, former harpist of the Berlin Philharmonic; and Kira Sarandjavan, professional harpist, while living in Moscow.

Alishia enjoys performing in a wide variety of venues, most often with an eclectic style. While you will most commonly find her playing at gorgeous wedding ceremonies and elegant banquets, she has also performed with rap artist Aeon Grey, designed and performed music for Des Moines’ Shakespeare on the Lawn, encouraged runners at mile marker seven during the Des Moines Marathon, and was a founding member of the Latin jazz trio Trio, Trio, Arpa. She has entertained dignitaries such as Bob Dole, Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, Secretary John Ashcroft, as well as local and visiting politicians. A supporter of strong female role models, Alishia performed for three years in Des Moines, Iowa at the Smart Talk Women’s lecture series, the Chrysalis Foundation, and was the chosen artist at the launch of actress Jane Seymour’s furniture line.

Congratulations on your engagement—I look forward to working with you on your special day!