Education and Teaching

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Born in Maastricht, Holland Maryland harpist Astrid Walschot-Stapp began studying the harp at age nine with Katja Noorman. She studied at the Maastricht Conservatory with Teresia Rieu where she received a Docerend Musicus (Harp Performance and Pedagogy, 1992) and an Uitvoerend Musicus (Artist Diploma, 1994). Astrid went on to study with Francois Bartholome at the Royal Conservatory in Brussels and with Marisa Robles at the Royal College of Music in London. Following her studies in London, she received the Prince Bernhard Fund Prize to study harp with Susan McDonald at Indiana University. Mrs. Walschot - Stapp received a Performer Diploma from Indiana University in 1996.

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Astrid delights in her student’s accomplishments.  They have been members of the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestra, Greater Baltimore Youth Orchestra, and The American Youth Harp Ensemble. They have performed at the White House, The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and Strathmore Hall.  Some of her students have gone on to pursue careers in music at schools and Festivals such as Tanglewood, Indiana University, The Eastman School of Music, Boston University, Duke, and the Sunderman Conservatory at Gettysbury College. Astrid has also worked with students who have dyslexia and learning disabilities.  Mrs. Walschot-Stapp co-founded the MCYO Harp Ensemble with Olivia Gutoff at Strathmore Hall and conducted it from 2001-2009.  Astrid has held teaching positions at the Baltimore School of the Arts, The Washington Conservatory of Music, and the Sunderman Conservatory of Music. Astrid currently conducts the Frederick Harp Ensemble.  She maintains a private studio at the Frederick String Initiative in Frederick, Maryland.