Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Thomas.
Hi Christina, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born into a musical family and started studying the harp as a child. Against everyone’s recommendations, I decided to go to college for business (at Penn State) instead of music. I had always felt a connection with the instrument but a disconnect with the perception that people had of what a harpist should be. I never felt like I fit the mold because I didn’t enjoy classical music.
I landed my first corporate job in talent acquisition in Richmond and loved it but ended up making a career change after I had my first child. I started playing the harp again after taking almost a decade away from the instrument (FYI it was not like riding a bike).
I started playing at weddings in Richmond in 2019 and realized quickly that couples are passionate about the music their guests hear on their wedding day. I love the idea of creating a core memory on your wedding day hearing your favorite song as you walk down the aisle so I’ve been connecting with couples on this ever since!
Since then I started my own small business: RVA Harpist and have slowly built a brand for myself here in central Virginia and online. I perform almost exclusively at private events (weddings, parties, etc.). It feels like a second life with the harp and this time I only say “yes” to opportunities that involve music I love!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I took almost a decade away from playing the harp. A lot of people joke “well, it must be like riding a bike, right?” No. It was absolutely not like that. I would spend hours starting and stopping because I was frustrated. That went on for years honestly. I would look at music I used to be able to play perfectly and neither my hands or my brain could handle the music.
I focused on trying to play music I used to play BUT ended up meeting a friend online who told me to “just play music you love and see what happens.” I started buying easy sheet music to songs I liked and creating my own versions of those songs. It was so much easier to play music I enjoyed and I learned so much faster.
I started playing the harp at weddings again in 2019 and was starting to build momentum. Unfortunately, we all know how 2020 went. Eventually we saw a resurgence in the wedding industry and that allowed me to work with other vendors within the industry, make friends, and get video content for social media.
Patience and persistence have helped me get through these struggles!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I started my business because I felt like there was a gap in wedding entertainment options in the Richmond area. Wedding music can be really boring and cookie cutter but I know there are a ton of people out there, just like me, who have a playlist for every mood and visualize their life in terms of music. Those people get married and they will prioritize hearing the music they love on such a special day. I created my business (RVA Harpist) for couples who love music and want their guests to experience it in a unique way.
This is a one-woman show so I am doing everything from my marketing to client management to performing but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love connecting with clients over music and creating an entertainment experience that their guests talk about forever.
I specialize in wedding ceremony music and fun-forward reception entertainment. I love to play covers of music that people don’t expect to hear on the harp (EDM, Hip Hop, trending pop). My favorite thing is watching someone’s face change as they recognize the song being played on the harp.
My performances during the ceremony lean more “ethereal” but I love to turn up the energy for cocktail hour or reception music. EDM is my favorite type of music and I just bought an electric harp to allow me to create even more lively and engaging experiences.
What sets me apart: I see myself as a fellow music lover who happens to play an instrument. I also absolutely love dressing to match the aesthetic of an event so clients can rest assured that the harp will feel like a magical extension of their day. When it comes to the business side of things, I have an extensive background in business and marketing so I really enjoy creating a client experience that feels authentic and reliable.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Early on: my harp teacher Gloria Galante (Philadelphia based harpist) was my cheerleader, and of course my parents.
Now:
My friend Adrienne Knauer created a community of likeminded harpists across the country. This community has encouraged me to show up authentically as myself and to continue to challenge perceptions and limitations of the harp. She’s also taught me so much when it comes to music production and technology that can be used with music.
There are SO MANY amazing vendor friends throughout the Richmond area who have been cheerleaders and supporters from the beginning (wedding planners, venue owners, photographers, DJs, florists). They have continued to trust me with their clients’ music on their wedding day and it means so much.
None of this would be possible without my partner who has been a supporter from the beginning.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rvaharpist.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rvaharpist/
