Q: You allude to a musical lineage that connects yourself to harpist, composer, and educator Henriette Renié, whose Trio in B-flat Major is featured on Birds of Paradise. How would you say Renié’s experience as a performer, composer, and female public figure in music has shaped the way you learned the harp in the past and the way you play the harp in the present?
EL: On a personal level, Renié was my grand teacher—her prized student was American harpist Susann McDonald, who went to Paris to study with Renié when she was a teenager. Miss McDonald was my undergraduate teacher at Indiana University, and so in my lessons I learned firsthand about Renié’s approach to musicality, technique, and the harp itself. I would credit a lot of my sound to Miss McDonald and what she learned from Mlle Renié.

On a larger scale, Renié really transformed the instrument itself through her compositions. They are some of the hardest works in our repertoire, and they push the harp to its technical and musical limits. She opened up new possibilities for us and the instrument, and the harp world owes her a massive debt.

Q: What do you believe is the best way to change the perception of the harp as a “feminine instrument?”
EL: Because the harp was the instrument of the domestic, interior salon world, there is a deeply engrained stereotype of the harp as a delicate and angelic “feminine” instrument (just look at our modern media portrayals of the harp in Bridgerton, Jane Austen, and Marie Antoinette). But when you actually hear the harp up close, you realize how loud it is, how much dynamic range comes out of it, and how much strength it takes to play this massive instrument (let alone move all 80+ pounds!) The best way to challenge preconceived notions is to bring the harp to the front of the stage, where people can learn about it, and experience it firsthand. 

Q: Your commissioning initiative, GroundWork(s), aims to bring together an abundance of new music from composers all across the U.S. and even Puerto Rico. What about a particular composer who speaks to you, for them to be asked to take part and compose a piece for the project? In the case of Angélica Negrón – whose work Ave del paraíso is on Birds of Paradise – what inspired you to commission her for GroundWork(s) as a representative of Puerto Rico?
EL: My goal with GroundWork(s) is to showcase the incredible diversity that makes America such a special place. I try to choose composers who have different musical voices, different backgrounds, and that bring unique perspectives to this project. But equally important to me is who they are as people—I’m not interested in working with people who don’t get along with others, or who aren’t invested in making their world a better place. Musicians have a responsibility to be good citizens. Angélica is one of these people—she is so curious about sounds (she did an entire show where she explored the sounds of plants!), she is invested in her community, she advocates for her beliefs through her music. We first met when she was composer-in-residence with the Dallas Symphony, and I was so drawn to her musical voice and her approach to the world. 

Q: What was the most surprising aspect of the experience putting together Birds of Paradise with your fellow artists, Christine Lamprea and Julia Choi? 
EL: This journey has been rather serendipitous, and that has made this experience even better. The very first time the three of us worked together was performing a concert in San Juan, PR, and working together to make our musical ideas one vision was powerful. You never know how you will connect with people in a chamber music setting—it can be very vulnerable, and sometimes you just don’t mesh—so to have this kind of blind date concert turn into a full album is really special. From traveling together and performing to spending three intense days recording this album, it’s been one crazy adventure after another, and it’s been a blast. 

Q: Reena Esmail’s work Saans was originally written for the clarinet and then she wrote an arrangement for piano trio as a wedding gift to fellow Yale classmate, pianist Suzana Bartal and her husband Eric. It was a lovely gesture that celebrated both the momentous occasion and honored the deep bond of friendship and solidarity as women that Esmail and Bartal first cultivated as the only two women in their music program at Yale. What does solidarity among women look like for you, and what does it mean for Ember as you release this debut album together?
EL: I think strong female friendships are some of the most important relationships you can cultivate. Showing up for each other, being loud and vocal cheerleaders of each other, and having each other’s backs. Knowing that you have women you love and respect in your corner is such a powerful feeling. I’m so proud to have Julia and Christine as my friends and musical collaborators, and to release this album together is really special. 

Q: What is one word of advice you can offer to young women who want to reach your level of success?
EL: Show up. Firstly, for yourself, even when you lack inspiration or dedication. You can’t accomplish anything if you aren’t putting in the work. And then show up in your workplace; be involved, be present, be your best self. When people aren’t invested in their work, or don’t bring their full potential, it is very noticeable.

Q: Can you tell our audience one of your most memorable moments of your career?
EL: In April 2025, I performed the Renié harp concerto with the Dallas Symphony. To be a soloist with my own orchestra, where I have made some of my best friends, playing a piece written by my grand teacher, whose work changed our instrument, was one of the most special moments of my musical life, and was pure joy.

Q: At the start of your career, what do you wish you had known? 
EL: The idea of “making it” is completely a myth. If you are ambitious, you will never be fully satisfied—there will always be something to keep striving for. While this a good thing, because it keeps you motivated, there is a real danger of letting the illusion of success define who you are as a person. Your happiness will never be contingent on your level of success. Who you are as a person—your values, relationships, and approach to the world—will be the defining factor in your personal happiness, not who you are in your career.

Q: Which woman inspires you and why? 
EL: My three teachers: Mary Kay Waddington, Susann McDonald, and Nancy Allen. Mary Kay was my first harp teacher, and from her I learned how to imagine, how to create moments of play. She is the most creative person I know. From Miss McDonald (my undergraduate teacher at Indiana University), I learned to cultivate my sound, and how to show up as the best version of myself. And from Nancy (my graduate teacher at Juilliard, who I call my forever teacher), I learned how to listen to music, how to give my all, and how to pursue my career dreams. 

Q: What advice would you give to young women who want to pursue their dream and start a business? 
EL: If you have put in the dedication, the preparation, and the amount of work needed, then pursue your dream with fierce determination, because the worst that happens is someone says no., I think there’s a danger in not pursuing ambitions because you are afraid of failure, or you don’t see how something can be possible. But failure is guaranteed if you don’t try! 

Q: What advice would you give to young women who want to succeed in the workplace?
EL: Be the kind of leader that draws others to you, not that pushes people away. Connection and community are essential to enacting any kind of change, and I think it’s so important that you are making genuine connections with people in your work. Connection with others is what makes us human, and is absolutely essential to creating a productive, flourishing work environment. 

Q: After high school, where did you feel your career path would take you?  
EL: Since I started harp lessons at age 5, I have known I wanted to be a harpist. For many years I added other things to that (harpist and veterinarian, a very ill-advised harpist and ice skater, harpist and lawyer), but the harp was always there. I was very academic in high school and actually turned down Juilliard because I wanted to study history, not just music. But I knew even then that I wanted to win an orchestra job, and that I also wanted a flourishing solo career with lots of traveling (have harp, will travel is my motto!) And that is what I pursued. I’m really thankful I have other interests aside from the harp, though, and I think my other interests have only made me a more well-rounded musician.  

Q: Can you tell us how you manage your work life balance?
EL: I feel incredibly fortunate that my work brings me joy, but it can definitely be all-consuming. With music, even when you finish rehearsal or scheduling events, you have to practice for hours a day, and there is a real danger of never really putting the instrument away. But I get inspiration and energy for my work from looking for delight in the world—whether it’s doing the crossword, building something, playing with my dogs, or spending time with friends. Taking time to find the things that delight me actually makes me a better musician, because I come back to the harp revitalized. 

Q: What's your advice for women in male-dominated fields?
EL: Trust your voice and speak up, even if it feels like no one is listening to you. In the orchestra world, women leaders are only a small fraction of the overall group, and it can be an uphill battle making your voice heard in a sea of male-dominated voices. But our voices are so incredibly important and need to be part of the conversation. It is paramount that we advocate for our beliefs, and that we continue to speak our minds, even if it feels inconsequential at the moment. It is absolutely not inconsequential. Our voices enact change. 

Thirty-Four Things About Emily Levin

1. If you could share a meal with any 4 individuals, living or dead, who would they be? 
Michelle Obama, Agatha Christie, Kurt Vonnegut, Clara Schumann

2. What's your favorite family tradition? 
The December holidays are always exhausting for musicians, so on Christmas night, my husband and I (and our two dogs!) will watch The Thin Man and drink martinis (technically it’s a Christmas movie!)

3. What celebrity would you like to meet at Starbucks for a cup of coffee? 
Angela Lansbury, but never at Starbucks. If we are doing a Dallas coffee, it would be Cultivar or Noble Coyote.

4. What’s your favorite thing to do in your free time? 
Woodworking! I’m always building something.

5.Who is the most fascinating person you’ve ever met? 
Composer John Williams

6. What was the last book you really got into? 
We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker

7. What’s the most amazing adventure you’ve ever been on? 
My friend and I flew to Las Vegas, rented a car and drove to the Grand Canyon, drove back to Vegas, explored the strip, and flew home in 24 hours.

8. Among your friends, what are you best known for? 
Planning excellent parties.

9. Where’s the strangest place you’ve ever been? 
Well, I grew up in Denver, and so I’d have to say the Denver International Airport. The more you look the odder things are. 

10. What’s your favorite international food? 
Ooh this is a tough one…but I love Korean food!  

11. Who is your favorite author? 
Kurt Vonnegut

12. What’s your favorite app on your phone? 
The New York Times games app

13. Best and worst flavor ice cream? 
Best: Chunky Monkey Worst: artificial vanilla

14. What TV shows did you watch when you were a kid? 
Wishbone, Magic School Bus, Arthur and Jeopardy

15. What’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve done? 
I took home my dog Charlie as a stray on the street when he was a puppy.

16. What’s your favorite quote or saying? 
“What else is sacred? Oh, Romeo and Juliet, for example. And all music is.” (Kurt Vonnegut)

17. If you unexpectedly won $10,000, what would you spend it on? 
A nice dinner and a bathroom renovation!

18. Are you a morning person or a night owl? 
Night owl all the way.

19. What would your perfect vacation look like? 
Lots of exploring on foot, as many cultural components as possible, time for spontaneous adventure, and excellent food and beverages. 

20. Favorite Dessert? 
Ice cream cake.

21. Favorite City to visit? 
London.

22. Tell me about the best vacation you’ve ever taken. 
My husband and I went to Norway for our honeymoon. We spent the week exploring Oslo and Bergen. The cities are beautiful, taken care of, historic, close to stunning nature, and there are so many delightful parts to explore. 

23. Do you read reviews, or just go with your gut? 
I always read reviews! 

24. What’s your big passion? 
Creating joy.

25. What’s your signature drink? 
A clover club-gin, dry vermouth, raspberry, lemon and egg white. (Fun fact, we had our wedding reception at the Clover Club in Brooklyn)

26. What song would you sing at Karaoke night? 
Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen

27. What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play? 
I’m very bad at sports but enjoy baseball games!

28. Which of the five senses would you say is your strongest? 
Hearing.

29. If you could go back in time to change one thing, what would it be? 
I would like to have learned another language when I was little so I could be fluent. 

30. What were you like in high school? 
My friends called me Hermione Granger.

31. What would your perfect Saturday be like? 
No alarm, excellent coffee, waffles, exploring a new part of the city, a bookstore, trying a new restaurant, and cocktails with friends. 

32. Would you rather cook or order in? 
Order in.

33. What was your favorite subject in school? 
History—and I went on to be a history major in undergrad!

34. Cake or pie? 
Pie (but only certain kinds)