Musical staff with notes and a treble clef on a black background.
Musical staff with notes and a treble clef on a black background.
An older woman with glasses and shoulder-length hair sitting next to a harp, smiling at the camera. She is wearing a black cardigan over a striped shirt, and has her arm resting on her knee. The room has white plantation shutters on the window and a wooden floor.

Meet Michelle

Music has been a thread running through Michelle Whitson Stone’s life for more than five decades.  As an award-winning harpist, educator, arranger, and publisher, she has dedicated her career to sharing the beauty and versatility of the harp with audiences and harpists alike.  For more than 40 years, she has enjoyed a diverse career as a performer throughout Southern California and beyond, bringing the harp to audiences through classical, jazz, and contemporary music.

Throughout her career, Michelle has been drawn to creating new opportunities for the harp and the people who play it.  As the founder of Harpworks Music, she has combined her love of performance, teaching, and arranging to help harpist build confidence, expand their repertoire, and experience the joy of making music that is both beautiful and meaningful.

Whether performing, teaching, arranging, or directing The Harpworks Ensemble, Michelle is guided by the same belief: Music has the power to inspire, connect, and enrich our lives.  Through Harpworks Music, she continues to share that passion with students, musicians, and audiences around the world.

A woman wearing glasses and a white sweater, sitting on a laptop, with a glass of tea on the table, in a bright room.

Education & Accolades

  • Studied under Margaret Ling at the University of Kansas

  • Studied with Dr. Carol McLaughlin - University of Arizona

  • Guest Artist/Teacher at Connecticut Valley Harp Intensive 2018

  • Award winner at the International Pop and Jazz Harp Competition

  • Guest Artist at Lyon and Healy Harptacular 2019

  • Los Angeles Chapter of the AHS Spring Concert Artist 2000

  • New Talent Series - Harpfest 2001 and 2004

  • Performed for Presidents Clinton, Ford, and Reagan

  • Founder of Harpworks Music Publishing

A woman with shoulder-length light brown hair holds a black harp outdoors with a background of green foliage. She is wearing a black sleeveless dress with white accents.
White musical notes on black background with musical staff and treble clef.