Adrienne Knauer // DRÉ

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Hi there, I’m Adrienne or Dré for short.

 

Photo by Marigold Monarch

 
 

I’m not your typical harpist.

I completed a Masters in Music of Harp Performance in 2014 from Temple University in Philadelphia with the intention of becoming a classically trained orchestral musician.

After taking some professional auditions, I had to be true to myself: I realized while I love playing orchestral music, the expectation to “play perfectly” stressed me out so much that it took me away from the enjoyment of music itself.

So I pivoted.

I moved from Philadelphia to Phoenix in 2016 and dove into the wedding industry after realizing it was a destination spot for weddings. The weather is incredible from October-May making our wedding season longer than other cities. We also have breath taking sunsets and landscapes.

During the pandemic, when all live music and weddings came to a halt, I found myself taking guitar lessons from a friend. I started with an acoustic guitar I’ve had since age 16 and then I moved to a $50 electric guitar I got from Goodwill.

There was something about the electric guitar that I’ve always been drawn to.

It’s a chameleon.

It can be in your face, screeching, core-shaking with a distortion effect.

Or it can be ethereal, effervescent, shimmering with a reverb effect.

Essentially, the sound is up to the player.

Guitar was fun, but my brain works in treble clef/bass clef and not in frets.

I thought to myself, “Why am I learning an entirely new instrument when maybe I just need an electric harp?”

A new journey emerged.

I researched all the makes and models out there and finally decided on a Camac DHC 32. It seemed fitting to get the original electric harp designed by Deborah Henson Conant herself.

I purchased it in March of 2021 and the opportunities that have appeared have been incredible.

I performed with my guitar teacher and friend Chad Rubin with his band at the Marquee Theatre, started collabing with my DJ friend Miss Mixx, created music for an NFT, got into sound healing, played some stunning weddings including one at the epic Amangiri Resort in Utah, played some killer private parties, and even started flying with the harp to play for weddings and events.

 

Performing with Chad Rubin & The Band Breezy at Marquee Theatre in 2021

 

I started flying with my harp for weddings and events in Fall of 2021 and since then have been to Chicago, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and even Tulum, Mexico.

 
 

Fast forward to 2023 and I recently purchased an electroacoustic Camac Mini Blue Harp. I’ve started recording original electronic music on it and hope to release an album later this year.

I would love to see you at some upcoming shows and sound baths. Sign up to receive event info and follow me on Instagram for up to date info.

 
 

My advice to young harpists?

Leap and the gig will appear.

Here’s to not knowing where the path will lead but taking it anyway.

CHEERS,

Dré