Award-winning Bald Eagle Area senior is among best harpists in the country

Bald Eagle Area student Alice Statham is the only student harpist in Pennsylvania to be represented at district, regional, state and national competitions. With aspirations to study harp performance in college, the Bald Eagle Area senior went to Disney World where she was part of the orchestra for the National Association for Music Education.

Statham started playing the harp at age 6. “My mom was a violinist and so I played violin starting at (age) 2 and started piano at (age) 4, and saw the harp on TV or something, and was like, ‘Hey mom, Can I play this?’ and I’ve played ever since,” Statham said.

She received a perfect score at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association All-State competition, which allows her to be part of the national orchestra. Despite there not being an orchestra at Bald Eagle Area High School, Statham has performed at the state competition since her sophomore year. According to PMEA, she is one of two student harpists who were selected for the 2018 PMEA All-State Orchestra with Statham as first chair; and Emily Hayes, of Slippery Rock Area High School, as second chair. Statham performed with the national orchestra at Disney in November.