Exclusive Interview with kirsten agresta-copely

‘Aquamarine’ is a heartfelt homage to the woman who ignited Kirsten’s passion for both music and the sea. It was inspired by her deep connection to the ocean and filled with memories of her late Mother. Incorporating the strength of the ocean, the beauty of her mother’s memory, and the limitless depths of Kirsten’s own artistic vision, it represents a profound moment of artistic expression and personal reflection. Check out the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?

kirsten agresta-copely: I’m originally from Bloomfield Hills, MI (a suburb of Detroit) and began playing the harp when I was five years old. I played competitively throughout my youth and was the Bronze Medal Winner in the 1st USA International Harp Competition, among other classical accolades. I moved to NYC in 1996 and have made my career as a freelance harpist, composer, and arranger. I play on Broadway, with symphony orchestras, as a soloist at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, and backing up artists such as Beyoncé, Jay Z, Enya, and more.

2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?

kirsten agresta-copely: I have two degrees (M.M, B.M. in Harp Performance) from Indiana University School of Music in Bloomington, IN. I studied with Professor Emeritus, Susann McDonald, from the time I was 11 years old!

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences?

kirsten agresta-copely: My Mother was my first big influence, as she introduced me to the harp and was my source of endless support, while championing my young career. Another strong influence is Brian Eno, the pioneer of ambient music. His album ‘The Pearl’ with Harold Budd is on my go-to list of music to listen to and inspires me deeply. Nancy Allen, the Professor of Harp at Juilliard School of Music and Principal Harpist with the New York Philharmonic also made a big impact on me when I studied with her. I remember her telling my Mom, “If she wants to be a cheerleader, let her be a cheerleader” in an effort to give me a well-rounded teenage life. She taught me, among other things, that it’s okay to have outside interests from the harp while still maintaining rigorous musical training.

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

kirsten agresta-copely: I would describe my original music as New Age harp music. It is a genre that emphasizes tranquility, relaxation, and peaceful soundscapes. Listeners who seek these feelings will find that my music will resonate with them. My new album ‘Aquamarine’ has been described as “liquid sunshine”, “spacious and lush, deep and intense”, and “spirit caressing”.

5. What would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

kirsten agresta-copely:

Performing center stage at Carnegie Hall as a Concerto soloist and playing with Beyoncé at the White House Second State Dinner for President and First Lady Obama. Those are both really proud moments in my career.

6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?

kirsten agresta-copely:

‘Aquamarine’ is an homage to my late Mom and our shared love of the ocean. I am currently collaborating with the I Am Water Foundation in Cape Town, South Africa, in a mission to protect our global seas. My song “I Am Water” can be heard on their About Us page and there’s a lot more to come! I think music can be a useful tool to establish awareness and appreciation for causes such as climate change and ocean conservation.

7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?

kirsten agresta-copely:

My music gives back to me in so many ways – most especially from the many message I receive from listeners who share deeply personal accounts of what a particular song or album has meant to them. It’s an honor to hear how the music has manifested in each individual life story.

8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?

kirsten agresta-copely: I compose using an Eventide Space pedal which allows me to hear a rough mix of what the potential soundscape will be once the song is brought to the mixing engineer. Sometimes I start with a motif, other times with a pattern or a harmonic progression. Each song is brought to life in a different way. Sometimes I collaborate with others, like on Aquamarine’s closing track “Into The Mist”, where the string arrangements were created by Tony Award winner, Katie Kresek.

9. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?

kirsten agresta-copely: I don’t pay a lot of attention to negative feedback, and focus on the importance of sharing my music with fans who support and appreciate my work. There will always be those who naysay, but there’s no room for that kind of toxicity in my life!

10. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?

kirsten agresta-copely: I am actually excited by both options for different reasons! I really enjoy being in the recording studio and creating new work, whether it’s my own projects or playing on someone else’s album. Live audiences bring an element of unknown surprise and spontaneity which keeps me on my toes and inspires a level of improvisation.