There’s a moment — sometimes only after someone is gone — when we finally see the full measure of their influence. We may have known they mattered, but loss has a way of sharpening our perspective, of showing us just how much they shaped our world.

Some people use the word legendary too easily. For harpist Susann McDonald, it’s no exaggeration.

Susann McDonald, who passed away this past May at the age of 90, left an indelible mark on the harp world. She was an acclaimed performer, a respected author, an extraordinary teacher, and a passionate advocate for our instrument. She co-founded the World Harp Congress and nurtured a global community of harpists, uniting people across continents through music.

But her story is more than a list of titles and accomplishments. It’s about the way she created a sense of belonging — for every harpist, no matter your style or skill level. Whether you play concert halls or in your living room, her influence has touched you. And today, we’ll celebrate that — her life, her music, her lasting legacy — and consider what it asks of us as harpists now.

This isn’t just a biographical podcast, though. I want to explore the idea of legacy, of the connections we have to our harpist forebears that empower and guide our playing  every day. Legacy isn’t just about what’s left to us; it’s our springboard to the future. 

Links to things I think you might be interested in that were mentioned in the podcast episode: 

• Watch our video series specially for harp teachers.
• Our Teacher Retreat registration is still open.
• Harpmastery.com

Get involved in the show! Send your questions and suggestions for future podcast episodes to me at [email protected]

Looking for a transcript for this episode? Did you know that if you subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts you will have access to their transcripts of each episode?

LINKS NOT WORKING FOR YOU? FInd all the show resources here: https://www.harpmastery.com/blog/Episode-222