Monika Vasey has been hailed as "the consummate professional," performing for events for over 17 years, and receiving bachelors and masters degrees from the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins. She works with clients to create a unique musical experience tailored to their vision, assisting with music selections if needed and coordination with other musicians. Her personal attention and dedication to the musical details of each event ensures client satisfaction and ease of mind. Her artistic talent and musical sensitivity ensure an enjoyable and memorable experience. She plays a stylish ebony Venus Concert Grand pedal harp, which adds a stunning accent to any event setting. monikavasey. net
Working with Monika was terrific. She’s talented, gracious, and professional, truly a pleasure to work with. I enthusiastically recommend her for your event!
Monika was flawless. From our initial discussions leading up the event, she was communicative, sent appropriate follow-up emails, and even took time to review my song selections with me over the phone. I was confident in not having to worry about her role at the wedding.
The day of the event, she arrived early and immediately began setting up. She was very cordial, professional, and receptive. I could tell she knew what she was doing, as she was very calm and collected--which certainly reassured me. And her harp was beautiful! Once the event began, she nailed the timing of the songs, especially (and most importantly) during the processional, and performed all the songs amazingly well. Everyone kept commenting on how much they enjoyed the music.
I have zero negative feedback to offer, so, I HIGHLY recommend Monika for your next event.
Thank you, Monika--it was perfect.
Response from Monika Vasey, harpist:
Thank you so much Cameron! I’m so happy you were pleased with my services and likewise, it was lovely to work with you too! Wishing you and your wife all the best, Monika
Monika was awesome, my husband and I were more than pleased. We loved her performance, she was very professional, and personable. We definitely recommend her for your event. I will call on her again.
Response from Monika Vasey, harpist:
Thank you Barbara! I loved playing for you and your husband’s 40th anniversary at Ft Belvoir! Congratulations and Cheers to many more!
Monika was a fantastic find for our wedding. She was very involved in our music selection process and provided great suggestions about certain pieces/composers that would be best for each section of the ceremony. She also went out of her way to learn several new and arguably obscure songs that we requested for the cocktail hour. Choosing Monika to play to for our wedding gave the whole night a classy, fun, and memorable atmosphere. My wife and I highly recommend Monika for any event!
Monika is awesome. She is clearly a professional and has a lot of experience working with (and through) the unexpected challenges you encounter on your wedding day. She played beautifully and infused our ceremony with a touch of magic. Thank you, Monika!
Monika played at a the reception following my mother's funeral service at Arlington National Cemetery. She did a fantastic job and was a pleasure to work with. Monika played beautifully and included Celtic songs in her repertoire, as we requested.
I would highly recommend Monika and would hire her again for an event.
Friendly, on time, accommodating, and excellent, beautiful music!! Five Stars!!
Monika did a great job with a variety of songs for our celebration. All our guests really enjoyed the music and selection of songs. She played some that were specifically requested and others that she thought appropriate. We recommend Monika for any type of event.
We hired Monika to play ceremony music and cocktail hour at our wedding this past weekend. She was an absolute pleasure to work with and replied back to e-mails/text messages promptly. I realize how extremely busy musician schedules are so I really appreciated how quickly she was able to respond. We did have a playlist of songs we wanted for the ceremony, but we kind of trusted her judgment for the cocktail hour. She did an absolutely lovely job with everything, and even gave us advice on what songs would and would not work well for the ceremony.
Lastly, I want to add that it rained on our wedding day, and we were having an outdoor ceremony. The sky was already pretty overcast when the ceremony started, so I was expecting Monika to want to pack up and move everything inside to protect her instrument. Instead, she stuck it out and played throughout the ceremony and the cocktail hour. Monika, if you are reading this, I hope your instrument is okay!! Thank you so much for being part of our day!!
Monika is a professional who has a ton of experience on making your wedding the perfect day!
Response from Monika Vasey, harpist:
Ted, thank you so much for your kind review! We were so lucky the rain held off. I kept my cover nearby just in case but I was able to keep playing until almost the very end of the cocktail hour before I had to cover it up. Thanks for being so understanding! Congratulations on your marriage and I wish you many happy years to come! Best always, Monika
I was unhappy with Monika Vasey because she was very late arriving. The wedding time was 6:30pm and she arrived at 6:42. This may not seem like much but it was as we were waiting for her to set up her instrument and then go and park her car. She told me that she would arrive 45 minutes before a performance. Also, she told me that I gave her the wrong address for the venue which was totally untrue. The contract which I scanned and emailed back to her had the correct address on it.
Her harp skills however were very good. She played for about 40 minutes, not the full hour for which I paid. Not happy.
Response from Monika Vasey, harpist:
Mrs Richardson,
I'm sorry you were not completely satisfied. Our contract requested very specific unloading instructions from you, and the address which you gave me was not even the right street on which to access the venue. It took me over 20 minutes of driving around one-way streets, to find the correct place. There were no gentlemen waiting outside to help me as you had indicated, nor was there a place to pull over or even park and unload at the venue. Your prelude began a few minutes late at 6:35 due to this, and I will gladly pay you your 5 minutes back. What's more, is the contract you signed stated the ceremony would begin at 7, however you began at 6:42, so therefore yes, you did receive a shorter service. Please let me know what I can do to appease you.
Best,
Monika Vasey
Monika was terrific. Made this so easy to set up. Arrived on time and ready to play. Music choices were excellent and appropriate for our event. Would highly recommend her and definitely use her again.
Price Range: $500 - $1,500
Gig Length: 60 - 180 minutes
Languages: English
Insurance: Yes
Monika Vasey will work with you to create a unique musical experience tailored to your preference and vision. She will assist with music selections if needed and facilitate any coordination with additional musicians. Her personal attention and dedication to the musical details of each and every event ensures client satisfaction and ease of mind. Her artistic talent and musical sensitivity will guarantee an enjoyable and memorable experience you and your guests will be talking about for years to come.
MONIKA VASEY, HARPIST ~
Monika Vasey will work with you to create a unique musical experience tailored to your preference and vision. She will assist with music selections if needed and facilitate any coordination with additional musicians. Her personal attention and dedication to the musical details of each and every event ensures client satisfaction and ease of mind. Her artistic talent and musical sensitivity will guarantee an enjoyable and memorable experience you and your guests will be talking about for years to come.
Ms Vasey has been performing for weddings and other special events for over a decade. She is available as a solo harpist or can coordinate an ensemble including harp with voice, violin, cello, flute, or guitar. Her repertoire is extensive; including Classical, Celtic, Jazz and Popular styles and she will gladly accommodate special music requests. She plays on a stylish ebony Venus Concert Grand Penti pedal harp, which adds a stunning accent to any event setting.
~BIOGRAPHY~
Ms Vasey is a freelance professional harpist in the Baltimore, Washington, Virginia and Philadelphia areas, where she is in high demand as a performer and teacher. She was appointed as an instructor at the Settlement Music School in 2008, and the Levine School of Music in 2009. She maintains a private harp studio as well as directs the Maryland Classic Youth Harp Ensemble at Strathmore Hall.
A graduate of the prestigious Peabody Institute of Music at Johns Hopkins University, Ms Vasey holds a Masters degree as well as two Bachelors degrees. She has traveled the U.S., Canada, Germany, Holland, France, Spain, Italy and the United Arab Emirates, and has participated in numerous coachings and masterclasses with highly esteemed musicians. She performs regularly as a soloist and orchestral player, and does freelance as well as studio work. An advocate of new music compositions for the harp, Miss Vasey has played with many chamber groups and orchestral associations.
* Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride) - Wagner
* Bridal March - Mendelssohn
* Canon in D - J. Pachelbel
* Trumpet Voluntary - H. Purcell
* Trumpet Tune - H. Purcell
* Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring - Bach
* Arioso - Bach
* Prelude in C - Bach
* Air on a G String - Bach
* Sleepers Awake - Bach
* Ombra Mai Fu - G.F. Handel
* Where E'r You Walk - G.F. Handel
* Water Music- La Rejouissance, Air, Hornpipe - G.F.Handel
* Ave Maria - F. Schubert
* Four Seasons, Spring- Allegro/Largo/Allegro Danza Pastorale - A. Vivaldi
* Four Seasons, Winter- Largo - A. Vivaldi
* Rondeau - Mouret
* Danny Boy - Traditional
* Lord's Prayer
* All I Ask of You - The Phantom of the Opera
* I'm Always Chasing Rainbows - Chopin
* Somewhere Over the Rainbow - Wizard of Oz
* Can't Help Falling in Love with You
* Unchained Melody
* What a Wonderful World
* Endless Love
* Try to Remember - The Fantastiks
* Sunrise Sunset - Fiddler on the Roof
* Beauty and the Beast Theme - Beauty and the Beast
* Nocturne - M. Glinka
* Concerto for Harp and Flute, K.299- (link hidden)dantino - W.A. Mozart
* MANY MORE SELECTIONS AVAILABLE - - PLEASE INQUIRE! :)
Flat surface to set up on
Audio equipment is only needed for larger audiences
Ample lighting
Accessible entry and exit (minimal stairs, etc)
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