Alyssa Harper first joined the Memphis Symphony in 1997. From 1999-2001, she was a member of the Shreveport (LA) Symphony. She returned to Memphis in the fall of 2001.
A native of Rochester, NY, she attended Fairport School District, where she found an early love for science. In high school, her main interests followed two paths: music and downhill skiing. Alyssa trained for three years as a downhill giant slalom skier and began to race for her High School team. When she broke her hand on the slopes, she was forced to make the choice between continuing with youth symphony or skiing. Alyssa, of course, chose cello.
One of Alyssa's musical heroes is cellist Jacqueline DuPre. As a young person,
Alyssa's Bagel Recipe!
(Adult supervision and assistance is needed)
1 1/2 C lukewarm water
4 C bread flour
3 T sugar
2 1/2 t salt
3 t active dry yeast
2 T barley malt syrup (optional)
sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or other topping (optional)
1. Add all ingredients for dough except barley malt syrup in the order suggested by your bread machine and process on dough cycle.
2. At end of dough cycle, remove dough from machine. Preheat oven to 375. In a large pot, bring 2 quarts of water to a boil.
3. While water continues to boil, divide dough into 8 pieces. Roll each into a 12" rope. Make a circle of each piece, overlapping the ends y at least one inch and pressing or rolling the overlap tightly. Seal with a little water. Let the bagels rise for only 5 minutes.
4. Add the malt syrup to the water if desired. Lower a few bagels at a time into boiling water. Boil for 1 1/2 to 2 min. As soon as the bagels rise to the top, remove wit a skimeer or spatula to a lightly greased baking sheet. Sprinkle with desired toppings and bake for 20-22 minutes or until golden.
Alyssa has two cats-- Dillon, age 4 (above) and Chanute, age 1.
Alyssa heard a recording of DuPre performing the Dvorak Cello Concerto and was taken with her interpretation. "She didn't do the standard things," says Alyssa. "She set her own precedent. Not very many women did that (at that time). As a budding feminist, I was taken by her!" She read the liner notes of the recording and wanted to learn more and more about her.
To further her musical studies, Alyssa attended the Eastman School of Music. After graduating from Eastman, she spent a year studying in San Francisco before earning her Master's Degree in Cello from SUNY Purchase.
Of the Memphis Symphony, Alyssa says she most appreciates the high quality of the group's playing. "The people are really professional and that is what makes it fun," she says. "The best part is loving what you are doing."
