About
Los Angeles Harpist Dr. Ted Nichelson is one of the most hired and experienced musicians in Southern California. He earned the Doctor of Arts degree in Harp and Music Education from Ball State University and a Master of Music in Harp Performance from the University of Michigan. Dr. Nichelson has entertained audiences as professional harpist since 2004 and serves Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Orange County, Inland Empire, Santa Clarita, Riverside, Ventura and surrounding areas. Keep reading to learn more about his experience and education as well as his harp collection.
Experience
As a soloist, Los Angeles Harpist Ted Nichelson has performed for thousands of special events and functions throughout Southern California since 2004 at venues such as:
- The Beverly Hills Hotel
- The Beverly Hilton
- The Beverly Wilshire Hotel
- Calimigos Ranch
- Castle Green
- Disney Fairy Tale Weddings
- Forest Lawn Cemetery
- Greystone Manor
- Hollywood Forever Cemetery
- Huntington Library & Gardens
- Inn of the Seventh Ray
- The Magic Castle
- The Millennium Biltmore
- Mission Inn
- Montage
- The Peninsula Beverly Hills
- Shutters
- Wayfarer's Chapel
Ted also played regularly for services at:
- College Avenue United Methodist Church (Muncie, Indiana)
- First Presbyterian Church (Ann Arbor, Michigan)
Education
Doctor of Arts
Harp Performance and Music Education
Ball State University
Master of Music in Harp
University of Michigan
Bachelor of Music in Harp
Illinois Wesleyan University
Musicology Degree
Illinois State University
Ted served as a harp teaching assistant at both the University of Michigan and Ball State University, and taught harp on the faculty of Indiana Wesleyan University.
Memberships
- Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honorary Society
- American Harp Society
- Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America
- The National Guild of Piano Teachers
Orchestra & Symphony Appointments
- University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra
- The Illinois Wesleyan Civic Orchestra
- Illinois State University Symphony
- Muncie Symphony Orchestra
- Others in Detroit & Indianapolis areas
Teachers, Mentors, & Influencers
Ted's primary teachers include:
- Martha Burwell
- Lynne Aspnes
- Elizabeth Richter
Ted has also studied harp with:
- Alice Chalifoux at the Salzedo School in Camden, Maine
- Alice Spero Keene of the University of Illinois
- Ruth Myers of Eastern Michigan University
Ensembles & Guest Performances
Ted has numerous solo and guest performances to his credit including:
-
Illinois Wesleyan University String Ensemble
- Harp Concerto in B-flat by G.F. Handel
- Danses Sacrée et Profane by Claude Debussy
- Féerie: Prélude et Danse by Marcel Tournier
-
Illinois Wesleyan University Chamber Singers
- Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten
-
Ball State University Women's Chorus
- Hymns to the Rig Veda by Gustav Holst
TV & Film Appearances
- *After Auschwitz (2018 film)
- Second House Wives (E!)
- Honey Do (TLC)
- The Lazy Environmentalist (Sundance)
- Tool Academy (VH1)
- True Blood (HBO)
- Young, Single and Angry (2006 film)
Now Serving
Areas Ted travels to include (but are not limited to):
Los Angeles, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Valencia, Laguna Beach, Anaheim, Pasadena, Santa Clarita, Malibu, Thousand Oaks, Woodland Hills, Westwood, Westlake Village, Pacific Palisades, Marina Del Rey, Glendale, Burbank, Culver City, Long Beach, Palos Verdes, Van Nuys, Sherman Oaks, Manhattan Beach, Orange County, San Pedro, Inland Empire, City of Industry, Disneyland, and Ventura.
Natural Wood Finish
Lyon & Healy Style 23
Responsive and resonant since production began in 1890, the Style 23 has become one of the most recognized harps in the world and is an enduring symbol of the Victorian Era.
Natural Wood Finish
Lyon & Healy Style 23
Enjoy the sounds of this beautiful instrument restored to original quality. In 2010, Ted's 1965 model was rebuilt with a new neck and soundboard as well as an action overhaul. This harp is generally available for both indoor and outdoor performances at competitive prices. To request this performance harp for your event, please book now.
Created by Lyon & Healy in 1890, this complex harp is symbolic of the Victorian era during which it was first made. The Style 23 has become the most recognized harp in the world and showcases the woodworking artistry of the Lyon & Healy craftspeople. Its sound is unmistakable: even, responsive and resonant. The highly embellished floral carving at the crown, top of the column, base and feet, is coupled with a fleur de lis pattern at the bottom of the column - both were notable features of the time. Sweeping organic gold leaf decoration accents the extended Sitka Spruce soundboard, which also features a double Rosewood inlay along the edges. The Style 23 features solid brass action plates with richly stylized lettering and ornamentation.
Source: lyonhealy.com
Liz Ilku Historical Harp
Lyon & Healy Style 26 Gold
This majestic gold harp, designed in the late 1800s, combines nineteenth century Gothic revival styles with Renaissance detail. Ted's particular instrument was the harp of Elyse (Liz) Ilku, who was principal harpist with the Detroit Symphony from 1958-1988.
Liz Ilku Historical Harp
Lyon & Healy Style 26 Gold
The Style 26 is a majestic gold harp designed by Lyon & Healy in the late 1800s, which combines nineteenth century Gothic revival styles with Renaissance detail.
Ted's 1929 model was the subject of an extensive two-year restoration project in which the entire harp was disassembled and meticulously stripped down to the bare wood. It was hand-gilded by Chicago-based artist Valeria Martin with 23+ karat gold leaf and burnished to feature the intricate scrolling and hexagonal patterns. Each panel around the crown depicts a scene of an angel in performance on a lyre, herald trumpet, or singing from a songbook. Completed in 2016, the project also required replacing and recarving missing portions of the front feet and column by craftsman George Monterios.
Note: This historical harp has limited availability for bookings (indoors only) and requires additional fees. Please contact for more information.
This amazing gold harp was the choice instrument of Elyse (Liz) Ilku, who was principal harpist with the Detroit Symphony from 1958-1988. Upon her retirement from the DSO, she became associated with both the Oklahoma Philharmonic and the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Liz is a graduate of The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia where she studied with revolutionary harpist Carlos Salzedo. While still a student at Curtis she joined a harp quintet known as The Angelaires and toured extensively under Columbia Artists Management, appearing on the national TV shows of Ed Sullivan, Frank Sinatra, and Paul Whiteman.
In the 1960s, while playing with the DSO, Liz recorded with Motown Records for such artists as the Supremes, Smoky Robinson, Marvin Gaey, Gladys Knight and the Pips, and the Temptations. Liz was harpist on all DSO recordings during her tenure and played this harp on live radio broadcasts of major harp compositions such as Mozart’s Flute and Harp Concerto, the Debussy Danses, and Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro.
Hubert A. Graf Historical Harp
Lyon & Healy Louis XV Limited Edition
Among the rarest in the world, this one-of-a-kind harp is built of quilted maple, bronze, gold leaf, and white gold. It also features a beautiful hand-painted soundboard.
Note: Currently out-of-service due to restoration.
Hubert A. Graf Historical Harp
Lyon & Healy Louis XV Limited Edition
Lyon & Healy first created the Louis XV model harp in 1916 with a bronze column including ornate carving along the neck and on both sides of the sound board. Three additional limited edition Louis XV semi-grand gold harps were built between 1924 and 1925. Ted's Louis XV harp was officially completed by Lyon & Healy on December 24, 1924. In 1985, Lyon & Healy modified the Louis XV as a concert grand gold harp and since then has produced several new replicas.
Note: This historical harp is currently out-of-service while undergoing restoration and is generally unavailable for bookings. Please contact for more information.
This one-of-a-kind Louis XV harp was custom made in 1924 for Los Angeles harpist Hubert A. Graf (1895-1968), whose name is embossed on the action plate. The harp body of Mr. Graf’s Louis XV is constructed from quilted maple, with the crown, scroll-top column, and base illuminated by a unique combination of gold leaf, white gold, and bronze. Inspired by the rococo style seen in French King Louis XV's time, the harp incorporates leaves, flowers, scrolled feet, and an elaborate hand-painted soundboard
Mr. Graf studied the harp in England and also in Chicago with Enrico Tramonti. He served as harpist with the Chicago Opera Company and then in Hollywood with the Grauman’s Theater Orchestra in addition to various motion picture orchestras during the silent film era. He returned to Seattle, his birthplace, around 1928 where he served as harpist in the Seattle Symphony and also as northwest representative for Lyon & Healy at his harp salon where he taught in downtown Seattle.