Biography
Marissa Knaub Avon
Professional Harpist · Educator · Performer
Marissa Knaub Avon is a professional harpist based in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, serving the greater Pittsburgh area and beyond. She is an accomplished performer and educator with extensive experience in orchestral, chamber, and solo performance, as well as private instruction.
Known for her elegant sound and versatile repertoire, Marissa is a sought-after harpist for concerts, weddings, and special events throughout western Pennsylvania.
Orchestral & Solo Performance
A dedicated orchestral musician, Marissa serves as principal harpist with the Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Festival Opera. She has appeared as a featured concerto soloist with ensembles including Resonance Works, Edgewood Symphony Orchestra, and the Warren Philharmonic Orchestra, and performs regularly with the Wheeling, Butler, and Westmoreland Symphony Orchestras.
Her performance experience spans classical, sacred, and contemporary music, allowing her to bring a refined and engaging presence to a wide variety of settings.
Chamber Music & Recording
In addition to her orchestral work, Marissa is an active chamber musician and co-founder of Trio Granato, a flute, cello, and harp ensemble that performs across western Pennsylvania. She has also recorded a solo album, "Worship from the Harp," featuring original harp arrangements of traditional hymns, reflecting her passion for sacred music and expressive performance.
Chamber Ensemble
Trio Granato
Flute, viola, and harp — performing classical and contemporary chamber works
Solo Album · 2018
Worship from the Harp
Worship from the Harp is a deeply personal collection of beloved hymns and sacred music, performed with artistry and reverence on the concert harp. Each track reflects Marissa's lifelong devotion to both music and faith, offering listeners a peaceful and uplifting listening experience.
Whether used for personal reflection, worship services, or quiet moments at home, this album brings the timeless beauty of the harp to sacred music in a way that is both classical and deeply moving.
Teaching & Education
Marissa is equally dedicated to teaching and mentoring the next generation of musicians. She serves on the faculty at Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA), where she teaches harp to students in grades 6 through 12, and maintains a private harp studio for students of all levels.
Her previous teaching experience includes positions at Youngstown State University, Toccoa Falls College, and the Urban Youth Harp Ensemble in Atlanta. She currently serves as President of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Harp Society.
Education & Training
Her formal training includes studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music, the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, and Berklee College of Music. She studied with renowned harpists Yolanda Kondonassis, Jeanne Chalifoux, and Felice Pomeranz, and began playing the harp at age ten with Pittsburgh legendary harpist, Lucy Scandrett. Her musical foundation combines classical rigor with stylistic versatility, enabling her to connect with diverse audiences and students alike.
Institutions
- Cleveland Institute of Music
- Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University
- Berklee College of Music
Teachers & Mentors
- Yolanda Kondonassis
- Jeanne Chalifoux
- Felice Pomeranz
- Lucy Scandrett
Book Marissa for Your Event
Available for weddings, concerts, corporate events, and private performances throughout the Pittsburgh area.
Get in Touch