About Harmony House

After years of playing and performing with musicians of all calibers, Harmony House founder Elizabeth Lademan saw the need for instrumental students to be as immersed in the reading, writing and understanding of music as they are in the technical practice of their instruments. Music is like a language, with both practical and theoretical applications, of which learning an instrument - like learning to read aloud - is only a part. Studying music in its entirety constructs another foundation by which to create, understand, and engage with the world, drawing it into a greater awareness of what is good, true and beautiful.

Lessons are given in students’ homes.  They encompass score reading and understanding time, keys and chords, studying eras of music, transcription by ear and composition, and a yearly research project.  Lessons on the violin or lever harp include the technique and literature of the instrument as well as playing by ear, improvisation and performance.  In addition, instrumental students participate in a quarterly Ensemble, making music with one another from previously rehearsed parts, and working together to build new music. An annual recital finishes the year with a performance, plus a showcase of research, compositions and arrangements done by all students.

About Elizabeth

Elizabeth Lademan began studying the violin at the age of eight. During her high school years she studied under Paul Windt, himself a student of Jascha Brodsky and Efrem Zimbalist. At fourteen she wrote an orchestral composition which was performed in several concerts by her junior orchestra. She graduated to the Young Peoples' Philharmonic of the Lehigh Valley, PA when she was fifteen, and in one year progressed to first chair where she led as concert master for two years. After graduating from Thomas Aquinas College in 2008, Elizabeth joined Sligo Creek, an Irish/Blue Grass band based in Gaithersburg MD with whom she still performs. She is a published composer with CanticaNova Publications, and has performed in tribute concerts on major stages in the Washington D.C. area. She is excited to bring her experience to the studio and to pass along her love of music to a new generation of musicians!