Lisa Spurlock is ranked among the foremost harpists in the country as a national award winner, soloist, and recording artist. She has been awarded four national titles as 1st place winner of the American Harp Society National Competition, Grandjany Division (1997); 3rd place winner of the American Harp Society National Competition, Intermediate II Division (1999); recipient of the Anne Adams Awards National Competition (2002); and 4th place winner of the American Harp Society National Competition, in the highest division, Young Professional (2007).

An active freelance harpist for over 14 years, Lisa has performed for hundreds of weddings, parties, and social events including the Kentucky Derby’s annual Derby Ball, corporate parties for companies such as Brown-Forman, University of Louisville, Yum! Brands, and Hilliard Lyons, as well as a private performance for the First Lady.

Lisa has made numerous concert appearances with the Louisville Chorus and performed with members of the Louisville Orchestra. She has made two professional CD and audio cassette recordings accompanying the Louisville Chorus and released her first solo album “All I Want is a Harp for Christmas” in 2004, which includes arrangements of well-known Christmas music she transcribed for the harp. Lisa has also appeared many times as a special guest performer for WUOL 90.5 FM Lunchtime Classics series.

Lisa began studying music on the piano and violin at age two. She received much of her early musical training from her parents who are both professional musicians and members of the Juilliard alumni. At age eight, she began studying harp under the instruction of Linda Wood Rollo. The following year, at age nine, Lisa received a full scholarship to study at the Summer Harp Masterclass at Indiana University with Distinguished Professor of Music, Susann McDonald. By age twelve, she was taking weekly lessons at the Indiana University School of Music pre-college program with Ann Yeung, (current professor of harp at the University of Illinois), and Assistant Professor of Harp, Ela Szmyt. Lisa later enrolled in the Bachelor of Music program at Indiana University under the instruction of Susann McDonald— founder of the USA International Harp Competition, former professor at The Juilliard School, and world-renowned harpist and teacher. During her time at Indiana University, Lisa also had the privilege of studying with Naokio Yoshino (internationally acclaimed harpist and recording artist), Jana Bouskova (professor of harp at the Prague Conservatory), Sebastian Lipman (professor of harp at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University in Australia), and Isabelle Perrin (professor of harp at Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris, France and visiting professor at the Royal Academy of Music of London).

Wedding music is most often played during the prelude, processional, candlelighting, recessional, and postlude of the ceremony. In addition, music can be played as a special solo or as soft background music during a prayer or reading of the vows. The following list is a description the most popular selections for a wedding.

Prelude:
The prelude is usually 15 to 30 minutes of music that is played while the guests are being seated before the ceremony starts. The prelude music helps set the mood for the wedding. The prelude usually consists of either classical music, hymns, popular love songs, or a mix of all genres.
Processional:
The processional can be separated into different sections. It usually includes the seating of the parents/grandparents, the entrance of the wedding party, and the entrance of the bride. Although the same music can be used for the entire processional, different pieces are often chosen for each section.
Entrance of the parents/grandparents and/or wedding party:
** Canon in D - Pachelbel **
** Ave Maria - Schubert **
** Prelude in C - Bach **
** Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - Bach **
** The Lord's Prayer - Malotte **
** Meditation from "Thais" - Massanet **
** Ode to Joy - Beethoven **
Entrance of the bride:
** Trumpet Voluntary - Clarke (also known as The Prince of Denmark's March) **
** Bridal March - Wagner (also known as Here Comes the Bride) **
** Trumpet Tune - Clarke **
Candle lighting or Sand Ceremony:
The candle lighting or sand ceremony is when the bride and groom light the unity candle or pour sand together in the same glass to symbolize their unity. Not all ceremonies include a candle lighting or sand ceremony, but it is very common. Since this part of the ceremony is rather short, usually only one song or even a section of a song is used.
Recessional:
The recessional is the exit of the bride and groom followed by the wedding party. The music is usually upbeat and cheerful, although any style or genre of music can be used.
** Wedding March - Mendelssohn **
Postlude:
The postlude is the exit of the guests. Music is played until all the guests have left the ceremony site.
Reception:
The reception often has a variety of music. Many people prefer harp music during cocktail hour or while the guests have dinner, and then have a band or DJ after dinner—although harp music can be used throughout the entire reception.