About Alice

Alice Yau is a freelance harpist, pianist, and organist. She plays for wedding ceremonies and events in the San Jose and San Francisco Bay Area. She has been in the music profession for over 20 years, and has been involved in numerous musical projects.

Background

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Alice

Alice has grown up with music in her life. Her mother loved music and loved to sing, and she taught Alice how to read music at an early age. Though Alice did not inherit her mother's vocal chords, she developed an interest in music.

Alice took piano lessons up through high school, completing the Certificate of Merit program. She played in competitions and played a concerto (Concerto in A minor by Grieg) with her high school orchestra, was the keyboardist for the jazz band, and accompanist for musical dramas, and performed for events at the county fair.

In college, in pursuit of new musical experiences, she played the glockenspiel for the Cal Marching Band. As a music major, Alice studied organ under Rodney Gerhke, organist at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in San Francisco. She was selected to perform pipe organ as part of a concert series at Hertz Hall. She also participated in recording sessions of avante garde music using the organ.

Inspired by attending a concert of a harp ensemble in the Santa Cruz mountains, Alice took up harp and studied under Sonya Yu.

Alice double-majored in computer science and music at UC Berkeley. She worked at HP as an engineer for 7 years before quitting to pursue other interests.

Work

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Alice Yau

Alice loves playing for weddings and events, and it shows in her work. "Sometimes I can't believe that I'm being paid to do something I enjoy so much," she says. "I love playing for weddings because people are happy, the music I play is beautiful, and I have the honor of being a part of such an important day in peoples' lives." She offers in-person consultations, a service others relegate to a demo cd or a repertoire list. She enjoys the emotional connection with each bride and groom before playing for their event.

Because Alice is such an accomplished musician, the couple has a lot of flexibility in the music that they select. Musical selections are not limited to a short list, but rather, the repertoire list is a springboard for musical ideas for the ceremony. Alice is able to play a variety of styles, create her own arrangements, as well as create medleys and blended music (where different songs are 'fused' together) which makes for unique music that is not available anywhere else.

Alice is constantly on the search for new music that would be appropriate for wedding ceremonies. "I love coming up with fresh ideas, and I love the new ideas that come from brides," Alice states. "Sometimes, when the couples and I get together to brainstorm, we come up with something that we might not have come up with on our own."

Another unique service that Alice is able to provide is the variety of instruments offered. Alice offers the harp, piano, or organ, and couples can even have two or more instruments in the same ceremony. This truly is an distinguishing service that few musicians are able to offer.

Her personal touch, coupled with the exceptional caliber of musicianship, makes her a highly regarded and a much sought-after wedding musician.

Alice plays a Lyon & Healy 85E harp, and plays keys on a Kawai RX-2 baby grand and the Korg 01/w-pro-X keyboard.

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