All eyes on Elizabeth Landis for Olympia Symphony Orchestra’s ‘Move’ season finale
Originally published on The JOLT News on April 8, 2026
By Rachel Benton
During this 2025-26 “In Motion” season, the Olympia Symphony Orchestra invited us to:
"Ignite"
"Listen"
"See"
"Dance"
"Celebrate"
"Transform"
and now "Move"
Each concert empowered audiences to respond to the incredible music they heard, to act and do something to make the world a better place, just as all the musicians and composers of each program did.
We were introduced to breathtaking guest musicians and were given the opportunity to learn something new with each concert.
The musicians of the Olympia Symphony Orchestra shined brighter than ever on stage, and their Music Director and Conductor Alexandra Arrieche stunned the stage, and at the same time made everyone feel welcome.
This was my favorite season yet, and it feels bittersweet to see it come to an end, but I hold onto the promise of the future and feel eager to see where all the innovation of this season leads the orchestra next.
Luckily, the party is not over yet. On April 19 at 3 p.m., the orchestra will be performing “Move,” the last concert of the season at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts. This concert will spotlight Harpist Elizabeth Landis and will take us to enchanting and energetic places.
I will be doing an Instagram takeover for the Olympia Symphony Orchestra the day of the concert. Follow them on social media now so that you don’t miss out on any of the fun.
Until then, I hope you enjoy my conversation with Landis as we discuss “Move” and more.
'Move'
Entering into artist interviews, you never know what personalities you’ll be introduced to. I am honored to say that Landis is the real deal — kind, intelligent, talented and passionate.
Our conversation began getting to know where her passion began. When she was 3 years old, Landis had the opportunity to attend a church service with her family where she got to see the harp played for the first time — it was love at first sight. From there, Landis began her campaign to get a harp and learn how to play.
Both of her parents are musicians, and they made her a deal: if she could learn the basics of piano, and how to read and play both clefs on the piano, then she could get a harp when she was 8 years old. Landis lived up to her end of the bargain.
Landis is a professional harpist who got all three of her degrees in Harp Performance. Her daily life consists of performing various gigs, solo or with various groups, and teaching harp students.
Throughout her career, Landis embraced the opportunity to learn from her mentor, internationally renowned harpist Heidi Lehwalder. Landis friendship with Lehwalder is what makes this concert so special.
The Olympia Symphony Orchestra described it in a recent email:
“The last time Olympia Symphony Orchestra performed Alberto Ginastera’s Harp Concerto was in 1996. The soloist for that performance was Heidi Lehwalder. Now, 30 years later, Landis returns to that same stage with the same orchestra, carrying that same piece and story forward in her own voice.”
Aside from the legacy of this piece in our little corner of the world, performing it excites Landis because of the extensive techniques it calls upon.
“It is very rhythmic, percussive, and showcases the harp in a way that people just don’t typically associate the instrument with. It’s got a lot of high energy and can be quite biting in a lot of sections," she said.
Landis continued, “There are wonderful, lyrical, tonal moments that delve into different modes outside of the ‘normal tonal centers of harps.’ It is very exciting!”
During our conversation, Landis shared how the strength of the harp.
“There is incredible power behind it, and playing it is like a full body experience. You feel the resonance against your shoulder, knees, or even just when you touch the harp itself," Landis said.
She added, “The soundboard is vibrating with you so when you play, you feel it everywhere. The harp is also louder than people think, my husband frequently tells me that he can hear it everywhere in the household!”
I invite you to come to the Olympia Symphony Orchestra concert to experience the music and the ways it can break the barriers of your imagination. I’ll see you in the audience.
P.S.
Throughout the season, Arrieche told multiple stories that ultimately helped me when watching Jeopardy with my dad. Final Jeopardy came up the other day, and the question talked about one composer celebrating another’s works. I knew that Brahms was the biggest fan boy of classical music, so I got it correct! Thank you Alex for sharing fun facts on stage and giving me bragging rights with my dad!