Music Background of Judy B. Seghers, BM, MM 

Former High Tea Harpist at the N. O. Ritz-Carlton for 4 Years*  

Judy Seghers, a 5^th generation New Orleanian, has studied music since the age of 6, after deciding she wanted to be a harpist when she grew up (since she viewed the harp as surely the most important instrument in God’s eyes!) A graduate of both Ursuline Academy and NOCCA for high school, she received instruction from the best local teachers, (including Ellis Marsalis) and traveled weekly for study with LSU Harp teacher and Baton Rouge Symphony harpist, Hye-Yun Chung. Judy continued her education at LSU with both Bachelor and Masters degrees in Harp Performance, completed in 1988 and 1990.  

Miss Seghers has performed extensively in the New Orleans area. She began public performances playing organ for Mass as a 7^th grade student at St. Rita, during high school performed on harp for Le Petit Theatre’s South Pacific, and accompanied the Ursuline HS choir on piano. During college and after graduation, she played with numerous symphony orchestras, including the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Baton Rouge Symphony, Acadiana Symphony, Gulf Coast Symphony, Port City Symphony, Pensacola Symphony and N.O. Civic Symphony.  

Wedding ceremonies have been her specialty. Judy enjoys performing for weddings for New Orleans area brides and has played for hundreds of ceremonies, including many local celebrity weddings. Harp is beautiful as a solo instrument at weddings and other events, but Judy can coordinate with other musicians to provide whatever musical ensemble a bride has her heart set on. On some occasions Judy has even performed with Metropolitan Opera singers (for some million dollar production weddings.) She is well thought of in the wedding industry and by the Catholic Church, and has performed numerous times for the Archbishops’ special events. Judy also provides comforting harp music for funeral visitations.  

Her extensive repertoire has been acquired through the many years spent performing at fine dining establishments. Besides Ritz-Carlton (2000-2004)*, she has had long-term contracts at the Hotel Intercontinental Veranda Restaurant, Bella Luna, and Holiday Inn in Metairie . She has often been a substitute harpist for Windsor Court Hotel , Sazerac (Fairmont Hotel), City Club, and Le Pavillion Hotel.

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