Dr. Cathryn Clayton
Cathy Clayton obtained her Doctor of Musical Arts in Harp Performance from the University of Arizona. She holds a Master’s degree in Musicology and Bachelor’s degrees in Music and Biology from the University of Utah. She also obtained her Registered Respiratory Therapy degree from Weber State University. During her years of graduate study, Dr. Clayton researched Welsh harp music and obtained a Doctoral Minor in Ethnomusicology. She currently teaches Harp Performance, World Music, and Music History at the University of Utah.
Dr. Clayton presented a paper on her research and Master’s thesis, The Composer John Parry and His “Collection of Welsh English, & Scotch Airs” (1761), at the Society for Ethnomusicology Regional Conference in March 2006. Her research on Welsh harpists continued with her doctoral dissertation, The Importance of Harpist John Thomas as a Welsh Nationalistic Composer and his Impact on the Development of Virtuosic Harp Repertoire.
Dr. Clayton has studied with harpists throughout the United States, including Dr. Carrol McLaughlin (University of Arizona), Alice Chalifoux (Salzedo School), and Eileen Malone (Eastman School of Music). She co-founded the Arizona Harp Experience Youth Summer Camp with Dr. Carrol McLaughlin, which has been going strong since 2003. She has taught private students for over fifteen years, and her students have competed in Regional and National competitions.
Dr. Clayton has toured throughout Europe, performing with HarpFusion, the largest touring harp ensemble in the United States. She has arranged and recorded several works for harp ensemble, some of which can be heard on HarpFusion recordings. She also recorded works on the CD Fragile Tears, Stories & Guidance for Youth on the Passing Away of Beloved Animal Companions (2005). She has performed extensively for the Utah Governor’s Mansion, the United States Olympic Committee, and currently performs throughout Utah.
Dr. Maryruth Culver
Maryruth Culver is a harpist and vocalist from Escondido, California. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Harp Performance at the University of Arizona, where she studied under Dr. Carrol McLaughlin. Awarded a full-tuition scholarship, she graduated Magna Cum Laude. During her time at the university, Maryruth also studied classical voice with Dr. Tony Antista and Meray Boustani, as well as jazz with Jeff Haskell.
Dr. Culver received an International Stepping Stone Scholarship to pursue a Master of Arts in Ritual Chant and Song at the University of Limerick, Ireland. She specialized in Gregorian Semiology and graduated with First Class Honors. While in Ireland, she studied traditional harp with Fiana Connell, historical harp with Paul Dooley, and voice with acclaimed Irish sean-nós singer Nóirin Ní Riain, Catherine Sergent (of the Paris-based Discantus), Dr. Oscar Mascareñas, and Marie Walshe.
Upon returning to the United States, Dr. Culver pursued a DMA in Harp Performance at the University of Utah where she studied with Dr. Cathryn Clayton, and earned a doctoral minor in choral conducting studying under Dr. Barlow Bradford and Dr. Austin Thorpe. Her research examined the Impact of Harp Ensemble Performance on the Development of the Harpist.
Dr. Culver has performed with several prestigious harp ensembles, including the internationally acclaimed HarpFusion where she was featured on two of their albums (Harp On Tour and HarpFusion Live: The Cosmos Concert). She toured extensively with the group across Mexico, Belgium, the Netherlands, Liechtenstein, Austria, Switzerland, Brazil, and the Southwestern United States. While in Ireland, she performed with the Cuisle harp ensemble as both a harpist and vocalist and was a member of Crimson Harps during her years at the University of Utah.
As a soloist, Dr. Culver has performed internationally and throughout the United States. Highlights include a recital at the 4th Annual Rio de Janeiro Harp Festival in Brazil, performances in Ireland, and solo recitals across the Southwestern United States. Her commercial work has included regular engagements at the Ventana Resort in Tucson, the Westgate Hotel in San Diego, and collaborations with Contemporary Christian recording artists such as Matt Maher, Tom Booth, Jackie Francois, and Tatiana Cameron. She has also performed with various orchestras, including the Poway Symphony, The Salt Lake Symphony, The United States Marine Band, as well as being featured with chamber groups such as San Diego Baroque.
In addition to her performing career, Dr. Culver has served as Director of Music and Choral Director for several Catholic churches in San Diego, where she currently performs regularly and maintains a vibrant teaching studio.