Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyler Hartley.
Hi Tyler, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started taking harp lessons with Atlanta Opera Harpist Susan Bennett Brady when I was six years old. I can’t overstate Susan’s role in shaping my path- for fourteen years, she gave me top-notch training, introduced me to opportunities that changed my life, and supported me through good times and bad. Music got really serious for me when I joined the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra in high school. The ASYO is an intensive youth orchestra that is run by the best music educators and artistic directors in the region, and I am so incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to play such an amazing repertoire with this group. There is nothing quite like being an essential part of an epic collaborative work of art – it makes you feel powerful yet humble and connected to something eternal and meaningful.
Playing in an orchestra is still one of the most stimulating and fulfilling activities that I do as a professional harpist. I also love to perform as a soloist – the harp is one of the most dynamic, dimensional, and colorful instruments and it can play a huge variety of genres all by itself. I think people are really surprised when they start to discover everything the harp can do! Playing weddings is a different experience from orchestra work, but I love it just as much because I get to connect with my clients and audience more directly- I love it when people start dancing or singing to a song that I am playing. During the week, I teach private harp lessons to students of all ages. I cherish the relationship that I have with my students and take great pride in their accomplishments. In order to master a musical instrument, you have to hone so many life skills (mindfulness, memory, time management, creativity, resilience, patience) that I think of myself as somewhat of a life coach as well, because students can apply these skills to different areas of their life. Teaching also challenges you to really know your craft thoroughly, so I believe I have become a more well-rounded musician through my teaching. I currently live in Woodstock with my partner Ryan Gregory and our sweet, goofy dog Jojo. I teach in Alpharetta and Woodstock and perform all over the southeast.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have definitely been bumps in the road. I have wrestled with personal demons that dragged me to very dark places. I had to take a hiatus from college so that I could immerse myself in therapy and learn how to take care of myself again. I’m grateful that our society has begun to de-stigmatize mental illness and prioritize mental health and self-care, although we still have a long way to go. More recently, the pandemic has been financially and emotionally devastating for performing artists all over the world. I haven’t played in orchestra for almost a year (March 2020 to now, January 2021), and I miss it more than I can express. Compared to my normal performance schedule, I have only played a handful of weddings this year, and I cherished every minute of every one. I’m so grateful to everyone who supported the arts this year, whether it was in the form of music lessons or live music for their event.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
When it comes to living music for weddings and special events, the harp has an advantage in its ability to sound awesome as a solo instrument in almost any genre- classical, religious, pop, rock, R&B, etc. Harpists can achieve the complexity and fullness of a string quartet all by themselves. I’ve often had clients tell me they were surprised at how full and loud the harp sounds on its own. It’s a huge instrument – about 6 ft tall and 90 lbs, with 47 strings – and it has a magnificent presence. Pictures and videos don’t do it justice, it really takes your breath away when you see it and hear it live. The association of the harp as an angelic instrument can lead to misconceptions that it can only be delicate and gentle. It can also be powerful, lush, romantic, and percussive. It can be whatever you want it to be. So the versatility of the harp is one of its greatest strengths, and I lean into that.
I am always working to improve the variety, quality, and diversity of my repertoire, which means more genres, more generations, more representation. I still have a long way to go. It’s a slow process because I have a very high standards for quality, and every song that I add requires research, money and time. I put a lot of thought into my playlists so that everybody hears something that they know and love, or maybe something new that they fall in love with. Another thing that sets me apart as a wedding musician is my collaboration with my partner, violinist/violist Ryan Gregory. The combination of violin and harp is so romantic and well-balanced, and I’m glad we can offer a high-quality ensemble at pretty competitive rates. We have played together since 2014, and I think our relationship and connection comes through in our music. At the end of the day, my priority is to deliver polished and soulful performances, whether it’s in a concert hall or a garden. People crave authenticity and real connection in art. I hope that people feel the love that I put into my work.
What were you like growing up?
I have always gravitated towards creative activities that allow me to fully immerse myself in a fantasy world, like books, music, and art. I was (and still am) introverted, dreamy, emotional, empathic and perfectionistic, which are all traits that can either work for you or against you depending on your ability to temper them. I still take joy in all the things that I loved as a child, including reading, playing games, going to the beach, and spending time with my dog. My inner-child is also grateful that my job gives me an excuse to wear fancy dresses on weekends.
Contact Info:
- Email: HarpistTyler@gmail.com
- Website: www.HarpistTyler.com
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/harpist.tyler
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MirrorDuoMusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWBJM8FRege7sxyLLSW88tA
Image Credits:
Susan Irais Reyes
