At the tender of three, my parents Mr. and Mrs. Marion and
Brenda Love Gautier saw there was great musical talent lying dormant within me. The decision was made for me to begin my musical venture by studying piano at the age of three under
Dr. Linda Achacioso. At age four, my talent was taken to a new utopia by beginning formal training on the harp at Louisiana State University with Dr. Hye Yun Chung Bennett. By age five, operatic studies with Dr. Ostraqeliea and Ninfa Caruso was a prevelent part of my musical studies. My dream was to become a concert harpist and opera singer.
God had a different plan. In 1990, hours after my mother's station wagon, affectionately called the "Harp Mobile", was stolen with my harp music inside, I performed theMalotte’s Lord’s Prayer before an audience of over 3000 campers at the Louisiana Baptist Youth Encampment. It was that transforming performance that erupted a new found passion, religious music. Rev. Charles T. Smith deemed my desire a reality and I became a part of the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church Music Ministry in 1990 at age 12. My passion to perform religious works was tested by transposing hymns, arranging hymns, and playing by ear. There were no African-American hymns manuscripted for harp. Shiloh is one of the leading African-American baptist churches in the nation with a full-time
African-American harpist on staff.
In 1996 I graduated from Capitol High School holding a 4.0 GPA. My academic achievements bestowed upon me the honor of Valedictorian. My passion to continue the study of the harp was furthered in educational music endeavors through The Juilliard School of Music, Louisiana State University, and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. I am one of an elite number of African-American classically trained harpists.
I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Music - Harp Performance.
I have become an accomplished classical, professional harpist having attained the following accolades:
I have studied and performed across the length and breath of the United States as a solo, classical harpist for various United States dignitaries and symphonic orchestras.
I have also performed in various religious venues in the classical/religious realm. I have performed as principal or second chair harpist for the following symphonic orchestras:
Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra
Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
Acadiana Symphony Orchestra
Monroe Symphony Orchestra
New Orleans Philharmonic
Jackson Symphony Orchestra
Meridian Symphony Orchestra
Louisiana Youth Symphony
Louisiana Youth Orchestra,
World Youth Symphony Orchestra (Performed for The Olympics 1996 opening ceremony)
Interlochen Arts Camp
Eastern Music Festival
•Performance Master Classes:
The Juilliard School of Music
Trinity University
University of Michigan
University of Minnesota
Interlochen Arts Camp
Guilford College
University of Indiana
University of Wisconsin
Northwestern University
American Harp Society Member
Bayou Harp Society Member
Susan McDonald Harp Competition Winner
American Harp Society Competition Finalist
•Compose and Arrange Gospel Music compatible for the Classical Harp
•Staff Harpist, Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. Charles T. Smith, Pastor, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Ministers of Music: Dr. Everrett G. Parker, Darryl Wright, and Maria J. Foster
Performed for the following United States Officials:
United States President George Bush
United States Vice President Dan Quayle
United States Vice President Al Gore
Speaker of the House Tom Foley
LA State Senator Pat Irons
La State Senator William Jefferson
United States Senator Cleo Fields
United States Senator Mary Landrieu
1996 Olympic Arts Festival (Opening Ceremony)
Performances with the following icons/groups:
Dr. Margaret Pleasant Douroux
Pastor Carl A. Pierce, Sr.
V. Michael McKay
Dr. Bobby Jones
Pastor K. Edward Copeland
Dr. Arthur T. Jones
Kathy Taylor Brown
Betty Ransom Nelson
Rev. Clifton Davis
Albertina Walker
Pastor Joe Samuel Ratcliff, pastor of Brentwood Baptist Church
Pastor Kirby Jon Caldwell, pastor of Windsor Village United Methodist Church
Lecrecia Campbell
National Baptist Convention, Inc.
Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals
Gospel Music Workshop of America
Hymns for Him, V. Michael McKay
Philia Works, Houston, TX
Dr. Everrett G. Parker and the Louisiana State University Gospel Choir
The Moody Blues Band
Kim Fields, actress
Ron Bell, actor
Jaleel White, actor
Jessie Jackson, Jr.
Religious Faith Performances: Baptist, Episcopalian, Methodist, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim
Numerous Weddings, Funerals, Receptions, Religious Celebrations, solo recitals, chamber recitals, and other social events
I find encouragement, strength, and daily healing through the scriptures found in II Corinthians 4:7-9…...”But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed: we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed-“
