Virginia Schweninger: Bio

Virginia Schweninger - Harpist

Virginia Schweninger has been playing the harp professionally for over 25 years, performing in orchestras, for weddings, in films, the recording studio, for many famous entertainers and for the love of it.

She is Adjunct Harp Professor at Sweet Briar College, Lynchburg College and was guest instructor Randolf Macon Womens College. She maintains a private studio at home in Nelson County and in Charlottesville at the Music Emporium where she teaches both lever and pedal harp.

Virginia received a BFA Degree in Harp Performance from Stephens College, Columbia, Missouri where she attended on a full scholarship from the Samuel Mosher Foundation. There she studied with acclaimed classical/jazz harpist, Mimi Allen. She later studied with Dr. Carrol McLaughlin guided Virginia in the study of popular music and improvisation.

As an orchestral harpist she has performed with legendary entertainers Sammy Davis Jr., Tina Turner, Jerry Lewis, Melissa Manchester, Carmen Dragon, Rudy Friml, Kenny Rogers, Sandi Patty and even Jack Benny. She was Principal Harpist with the Burbank Symphony Orchestra and the Santa Monica Symphony in California.

Virginia has studied both the Salzedo and the French methods of harp. Experience with the Alexander Technique has lead her to both practice and teach a very healthy and relaxed style of playing which allows for beautiful technique, tone and lack of injury.

She now enjoys performing solo lecture concerts, has performed as Guest Principal Harpist with the Charlottesville & University Symphony Orchestra and the Lynchburg Symphony, as well as with ensembles, church choirs and for special events.

Virginia is a member of the American Harp Society, and is on the Board of the Charlottesville Music Teachers Association the Wednesday Music Club, and is a Nelson County Master Gardener. She is a very proud member of the Nelson County Advisory Committee which directs the Nelson County Community Fund.

Weddings & Events

Virginia is available to play for wedding ceremonies providing prelude music, formal processionals and postlude. She is happy to assist the bride by recommendations of musical selections and will accompany soloists if needed. Virginia works regularly with other professional musicians, and can add a violin, flute or cello for a little extra sparkle.

Locations where Virginia often plays include The Homestead, The Clifton Inn, Oakridge Estate, Wintergreen, Veritas Winery, Del Fosse Winery, Farmington Country Club and the Boonsboro Country Club, the UVA Chapel and Carr's Hill, to name a few.

Harp Instruction

One of her greatest joys now is teaching a relaxed and joyful approach to the harp at her Nelson County just south of Charlottesville. Virginia is Adjunct Harp Professor at Lynchburg College and a guest instructor at Randolph-Macon Women’s College. She has recently become Adjunct Professor of Music at Sweet Briar College in Amherst where she is building a new Harp Department for the College. Virginia is a member of the teaching staff at the Music Emporium in Charlottesville.

Her students, age 6 to 82, play the harp for a million reasons . . . to play in hospitals or for hospice; to earn a degree in music; to play for church or weddings; or simply because they’ve always wanted to the play the harp.