Music Background of Judy B. Seghers, BM, MM

Her life’s work is dedicated to performing on the concert harp: to bring joy, fond memories and/or consolation with the harp’s music to audiences of all ages.

Judy Seghers, a 5th generation New Orleanian, decided when she was 3 years old that she wanted to be a harpist to please our Heavenly Father. Her music studies began at age 6 on piano and harp shortly thereafter. She graduated from both Ursuline Academy and NOCCA (New Orleans Center For Creative Arts) high schools (1984). Judy studied many years with LSU harp teacher and Baton Rouge Symphony harpist, Hye-Yun Chung, graduating from Louisiana State University on scholarship, with Bachelor (1988) and Master of Music (’90) degrees in Harp Performance.

Miss Seghers has performed extensively in the New Orleans and Northshore areas. She began public performances playing organ for school Mass as a 7th 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 in LA, MS, AL and FL. Judy believes that the harp shines best as a solo instrument, vs. being “one of the herd” within an orchestra: The harp, similar to piano, is capable of melody and harmony, but also has some special effects. Harp sounds BEAUTIFUL when played by true professionals. Judy prefers to perform outside of concert halls, bringing music of all genres to everyone, everywhere: in churches playing joyful music (weddings/christenings/Christmastime), solemn music (funerals, visitations and regular church services); also in restaurants for teatime, romantic dinner music, and brunch music; in building lobbies during holiday seasons, and healthcare facilities throughout the year; in homes, businesses, schools (graduation ceremonies), park settings, plantations, ships--Everywhere! The harp is a welcome guest for all special events, and it makes common events “more special”. 

Wedding ceremony performances are her specialty. Local brides enjoy selecting and having all their special love songs performed on harp.  Judy has played for hundreds of ceremonies, including some 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. 

Judy’s extensive repertoire has been honed through the many years spent performing in fine dining establishments and filling brides’ special musical requests. In addition to performing at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel for 4 years (2000-2004), she has held long term engagements in hotels and restaurants including Hotel InterContinental Veranda Restaurant and Bella Luna in the French Quarter. She has been a substitute harpist for Windsor Court Hotel, Sazerac (the Roosevelt Hotel), Le Pavillion, and still occasionally plays as substitute harpist at the N.O. Ritz-Carlton for high tea. Judy has performed in “The English Tea Room and Eatery” (2015-2018) and at Palmettos on the Bayou Restaurant in Slidell in 2022. Christwood Retirement Community Independent Living “The Harvest Dining Room” continues to be an ongoing once-weekly dinner performance site since September 2015, in Covington, LA.

Judy thanks God for all things and continues to use His gifts to pursue bringing peace through music to all who hear. She looks forward to the honor of playing for YOU!