East Studio Building, JS419
Education
- Artist Diploma, Indiana University, 1991
- M.S., Master of Science, Warsaw University, 1987
- M.S., Master of Science, Chopin Academy of Music, 1987
- B.S., Bachelor of Science, Warsaw University, 1986
Biography
Elzbieta Szmyt is professor of music in harp, co-chair of the harp department, and director of the Pre-College Harp Program at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.
A native of Poland, she has made appearances on Polish radio and television, and performed numerous solo and chamber recitals in Europe, Canada, Japan, and the United States. She has been a featured soloist with the National Philharmonic Orchestra in Warsaw, the Cracow Philharmonic, and the Metropolitan Orchestra of St. Louis. She has performed and given lectures for World Harp Congresses in Copenhagen, Prague, and Dublin. Her solo CD, Rhapsody, was released on the DUX label.
Szmyt began her musical training at the age of 11 on piano then began to study harp with Alina Baranowska while attending the J. Elsner School of Music and continued her training with Baranowska at the Frederic Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw. In 1987, she simultaneously received two master's degrees, one from the Academy of Music and another in clinical psychology from Warsaw University. She subsequently received a scholarship to study with Susann McDonald, distinguished professor of harp at Indiana University. Upon earning her Artist Diploma in 1991, Szmyt was appointed to the faculty of the Jacobs School of Music.
For the last 15 years, she has regularly conducted performing master classes and workshops in Poland and throughout the United States.
In 2012, Szmyt founded The Summer Harp Academy, a week-long program designed to develop versatile harpists. She teaches daily master classes, workshops, ensemble rehearsals, and private lessons along with world-renowned pop harpist Jan Jennings. The Summer Harp Academy is held in Lake Junaluska, N.C., and is open to intermediate and advanced students.