Michelle began studying classical harp at the age of nine. She would soon discover that learning the subtle intricacies of the harp, while her sister was in the next room plying the fine art of percussion instruments, would alter her musical path... Perhaps she owes her sister a debt of gratitude for heading her onto a road less traveled, as she is now one of a relatively small group of harpists around the country who specializes in pop and jazz standards, and is fast becoming known for her interpretive sound and sophisticated use of jazz voicings. In 1999 she received a top award at the International Pop and Jazz Harp Festival and was subsequently invited to the Festival in 2001 and 2004 to perform as part of the Showcase Concert Series. A student of world-renowned jazz harpist, Stella Castellucci, Whitson-Stone is also an award-winning actress. Her years of experience as a professional actress provided fertile ground for honing a gift for storytelling, which she brings to the harp through her arrangements of great pop and jazz standards. Her tasteful jazz stylings reveal depth and a remarkable gift for artistic expression. During her thirty-plus years as a harpist, she has performed for many dignitaries and celebrities including Presidents Clinton, Ford, and Reagan, as well as Henry Mancini, Bob Hope and Quincy Jones. She is a veteran of numerous films, television shows. When not performing, Whitson-Stone teaches and records in the Los Angeles area. To contact Michelle regarding harp music for your event, or to inquire about harp lessons for beginning or intermediate students please contact her at: 818-888-2661 michellestone@sbcglobal.net
-PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE-
THE NEW GETTY CENTER
WESTLAKE VILLAGE INN
CALMIGOS RANCH
SPANISH HILLS COUNTRY CLUB
OJAI VALLEY INN
MALIBU RACQUET CLUB
LOS ANGELES RIVER CENTER AND GARDENS
CASTLE GREEN - Pasadena
WOOD RANCH - Simi Valley
GREYSTONE MANOR - Beverly Hills
HARTLEY’S BOTANICA - Somis
MOUNTAIN MERMAID - Topanga
FOUR SEASONS - Westlake Village, Pasadena, Beverly Hills
LOST HILLS COUNTRTY CLUB - SIMI VALLEY
GEOFFREY’S RESTAURANT- MALIBU
DUKE’S RESTAURANT - MALIBU
DESCANSO GARDENS - La Canada
MOUNTAINGATE COUNTRY CLUB - Los Angeles
NIEUW AMSTERDAM / HOLLAND AMERICA CRUISE LINES - Mexico Cruises
HOTEL BEL- AIR
LOEW'S HOTEL - Santa Monica
SHUTTERS BY THE BEACH - Santa Monica
L.A. COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART
JIMMY'S RESTAURANT - Beverly Hills
BEL-AGE HOTEL- Hollywood
WESTWOOD MARQUIS HOTEL- Westwood
PAVILION RESTAURANT- Music Center, Downtown L.A.
LA QUINTA HOTEL- La Quinta
RITZ CARLTON HOTEL- Rancho Mirage , Laguna Niguel and Marina Del Rey
BILTMORE HOTEL- Opening Act for Victor Borga
HYATT GRAND CHAMPIONS - Palm Desert
DISNEYLAND HOTEL - Anaheim
REGENT BEVERLY WILSHIRE HOTEL- Beverly Hills
-TELEVISION AND FILM -
"MAN-UP" - ABC, "EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND” - CBS, "GET REAL" - Fox Network "THE MARRYING MAN" - Buena Vista Pictures "FALCON CREST" - CBS "THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL"- CBS "RUNAWAY FATHER"- Lorimar "CONFESSIONS OF A MARRIED MAN"- CBS
-AWARDS AND HONORS-
1999 AWARD WINNER - Lyon and Healy Pop and Jazz Harp Competition 2000 SPRING CONCERT ARTIST - Annual Spring Jazz Concert - Los Angeles Chapter of AHS 2000 FEATURED LECTURER - University of Arizona Jazz Master Class 1993 Santa Barbara Independent - THEATRE AWARD WINNER Featured Artist - NEW TALENT SERIES - Lyon and Healy Harpfest 2001 and 2004