My Biography

Meet Sylvia Adams Norris

Harpist, Sylvia Norris is well known to Michigan audiences as both a recitalist and orchestral musician. A Michigan native, she has long been a member of the Battle Creek, and Traverse Symphony Orchestras, played for 17 years with the Grand Rapids Symphony and is also currently principal harpist with the West Michigan Symphony Orchestra. Sylvia has appeared with the Detroit Symphony, and often performs with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. She is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, where she studied with Eileen Malone. Other teachers include Lauralee Campbell, of Michigan State University, Nancy Allen at the Aspen Music Festival and Suzanne Balderston at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California, where she was the recipient of the Outstanding Harpist Award. She loves to play chamber music and plays in many chamber settings including as an instructor of harp at the prestigious Interlochen Arts Camp. Mrs. Norris has twice been a featured recitalist at the American Harp Society National convention. She has been a concerto soloist with several Michigan Orchestras. In recent years, she has been a featured performer on the Regent Seven Seas Cruise Line, performing as a solo harpist and as a featured headliner with her husband, baritone, Jeffery Norris and her daughters, Hayley and Emma. She was chosen to tour with Josh Groban to Bermuda where she was privileged to also appear in recital with legendary flutist, Sir James Galway. Sylvia and her family reside in Traverse City where in addition to her performing, she maintains a private teaching studio and enjoys the amazing beauty of Northern Michigan.