
BayouHarpiste, Hilda Trenise Gautier
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 the Malotte’s Lord’s Prayer before an audience of over 3,000 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 are 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 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
The Juilliard School of Music
University of Cincinnati College Conservatory 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, the late Rev. Charles T. Smith, Pastor Emeritus, 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) with the World Youth Symphony Orchestra
Performances with the following icons/groups:
Dr. Margaret Pleasant Douroux
Pastor Carl A. Pierce, Sr.
Dr. Bobby Jones
Pastor K. Edward Copeland
Dr. Arthur T. Jones
Kathy Taylor
Betty Ransom Nelson
Rev. Clifton Davis
Albertina Walker
Lecrecia Campbell
Yolanda Adams
Bishop I. V. Hilliard, New light Christian Center, Houston, TX
Pastor Joe Samuel Ratcliff, pastor of Brentwood Baptist Church, Houston, TX
Pastor Kirby Jon Caldwell, pastor of Windsor Village United Methodist Church, Houston, TX
National Baptist Convention, Inc.
Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals
Gospel Music Workshop of America
Hymns for Him, V. Michael McKay
GOD TALK Sounds Of A Sanctuary Album Release Concert, V. Michael McKay
The Gospel Music Heritage Month Celebration with
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, 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.
Malik Yoba
Religious Faith Performances: Baptist, Episcopalian, Methodist, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim
Numerous Weddings, Funerals, Receptions, Religious Celebrations, solo recitals, chamber recitals, and other social events
Music Director, cooking show The Devotional Chef with Rev. Robert Lacy, Baton Rouge, LA
I am an energetic, passionate and gifted, professional harpist and a stylistically versatile recording artist. My most recent accomplishment is having recorded and performed with R&B and jazz producer Bobby Sparks, II, violinist Omar Phoenix Lopez, and Master Musician-Producer Paul Richard on Award-Winning Gospel Singer-Songwriter V. Michael McKay's album, "God Talk: Sounds of a Sanctuary."
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-“