Gretchen Brumwell

Gretchen Brumwell is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Harp at the University of Northern Iowa's School of Music. She is also a harp instructor at Coe College and summer faculty at the Five Seasons Chamber Music Festival. As principal harpist of Orchestra Iowa and an active performer in eastern Iowa, she bridges academic instruction with professional orchestral and freelance performance work.

Her educational background includes a bachelor's degree in biblical studies and humanities from Grace University, followed by a master's degree in harp performance from Rice University, where she substituted with the Houston Symphony and Houston Ballet Orchestra. She studied under renowned harpists Paula Page, Mary Bircher, and Alice Chalifoux.

Brumwell's career spans orchestral performance, chamber music, solo recitals, and collaborative work premiering new compositions. She directs the Brumwell Studio Harp Ensemble, maintains a private teaching practice, and contributes to music education through diverse institutional affiliations.