Next concerts
| No concerts due to world pandemic… | |
| have a look at my social media until it gets better: | |
| www.youtube.com/c/estherseverac | |
| www.instagram.com/estherseverac | |
| stay safe! | |
Pictures
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- @Samuel Python
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- @Samuel Python
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- @Samuel Python
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- Duo HarpKisSsax ©Aude Freyburger
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- ©Aude Freyburger
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- ©Simon Hallström
Curriculum
Esther Sévérac was born in Geneva and is currently based in Basel, Switzerland, working as a free-lance harpist with a repertoire reaching from classical solo concerts to jazz ensembles. She regularly collaborates with saxophone player Niko Seibold (duo harp and saxophone Harpkissax and jazz quartet Niko Seibold’s European Song) and is also a member of Orbitarium, an electroacoustic improvisation trio with drums, bass and harp. Her most active classical ensemble is Duo Estival with flutist Anne-Lise Teruel. She is also the co-founder of the music theater quartet Les Baronnes Underground (percussion, drumset, flute, harp) where she extends her capacities to singing, acting, arranging music and playing different instruments.
In these different ensembles she keeps experimenting with harp amplification and sound effects. Furthermore it gives her the opportunity to play in uncommon places for harpists such as Bird’s Eye Basel, Rössli Bern, Jazz Club Uster, Monkey Bar Basel, Boui Boui Festival Brenzikofen, Geneva Airport , Café Con Letras Basel, JazzCampus Basel, Giardini Incantati Poschiavo and many more.
Classical performances as a soloist include collaborations with the Basel Symphony Orchestra, I Medici Orchestra Basel and Sinfonietta Dachau. She also performs harp recitals with diverse and individual programs, mixing existing harp repertoire with improvisations and singing. She’s principal harpist of the Geneva Camerata since 2019 and performs regularly with professional orchestras (Sinfonieorchester Basel, Sinfonietta Basel, Kammerorchster Basel). She was principal harp in the Swiss Youth Symphony (SJSO) from 2010 to 2015.
She studied the harp at the Music Academy Basel with renowned harpist Prof. Sarah O’Brien and holds two master degrees in solo harp performance and music pedagogy. She participated in masterclasses with famous harpists such as Xavier De Maistre, Isabelle Moretti, Skaila Kanga, Emmanuel Ceysson, Jana Bouskova, Ursula Holliger or Susann McDonald. She also had the opportunity to take single lessons with pianist Lester Menezes at the Jazz Campus Basel and to play in classical/jazz crossover projects conducted by Guillermo Klein. She frequently takes jazz harp lessons with Park Stickney and is a multiple participant in his workshop « Jazz Harp Camp » near Yverdon/CH.
Being a very dedicated educator, she teaches a number of private students as well as music school harpists at the MCA Academy in Neuchâtel (CH) and the Musikschule Stein (CH). Prior to her academic career as a harp student Esther earned a bachelor’s degree in multilingual communication from the University of Geneva.
Projects
SoloEsther regularly plays solo with a varied and interesting repertoire. She experiments with electronics combined with the harp and creates new music for her instrument. |
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Duo EstivalThe members of the Duo Estival, which is based in Basel, are Anne-Lise Teruel (flute, alto flute, piccolo) and Esther Sévérac (pedal harp, celtic harp, voice). The two musicians met during their studies in Basel and began playing together in 2011. Since then, they have built a varied and inspired repertoire and play regularly in concert. Next to the existing repertoire for flute and harp, they play their own arrangements and are always curious to find new combinations of their different instruments. |
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Duo HarpkissaxHarp and Saxophone – a kiss between two worlds. Even more: classical and jazz music embrace Folk and Pop songs – delicate strings set ground for strong wooden metal and fragile wind set on fire by harp bop! Niko Seibold – Alto & Soprano Saxophone & others |
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Les Baronnes UndergroundThe « Baronnes Underground » are a music/theatre quartet. Band members are Cécile Unternährer (percussion, mallets), Anne-Lise Teruel (flutes), Anna Tuena (percussion, drumset), and Esther Sévérac (harp). They play their own compositions and arrangements and their inspiration comes from everywhere – they like to try other instruments (melodica, cazoo, electric harp), sing and experiment. They’re always looking for original projects and an element of surprise! |
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OrbitariumComing from the blue planet with its instruments harp, bass guitar and drums on board, Orbitarium’s sound probe is moving through interstellar space. A journey through the infinite cosmos, seeking for unknown laws, transforming surroundings, undiscovered soundscapes and unexplored worlds. |
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Teaching
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Esther Sévérac has a Master diploma in pedagogy since june 2015. She gives private harp lessons in Basel and teaches at the Music Academy MCA in Neuchâtel and at the Musikschule Stein (Switzerland). She is open to all musical styles (classical, pop, jazz, celtic, or other) and teaches on celtic or on pedal harps. She matches the level and pace of the learner and will adapt herself to your needs. If you are interested in discovering this magical instrument, don’t hesitate to contact her for a free first trial lesson. Learning music is without age limit ! |
Benefits
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30 min.50 CHF |
45 min.75 CHF |
60 min.100 CHF |
Music
Domenico Scarlatti – Sonata in A Major K208
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Guillaume Connesson – Toccata for solo harp
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The Skye Boat Song – Outlander Music
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The alien dog
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La lune est morte – Niko Seibold’s European Song Quartet
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Orbitarium live @PROGR Bern
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Le pudding à L’Arsenic
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TeleBasel – Esther’s interview in TeleBar
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Contact
For any inquiry I will be happy to receive your e-mail!
Office hours: 9am to 11am Monday to Friday