Michigan Harp Center Hits All the Right Notes

There is a rare jewel in downtown Clawson, a store so unique that it is one of only a dozen or so in the United States. The —as its name implies, the only store of its kind in the state—is located in a stand-alone building, set back from 14 Mile Road, next door to Amazon Stingrays.

Owned and operated by Troy harpist Kelly Yousoufian, the Michigan Harp Center offers new and antique harps for sale or rental, private lessons, sheet music, CDs and minor harp repairs. 

If you don't know much about harps but have always wanted to, Yousoufian said she is happy to give tours. She has single- and double-lever harps, pedal harps and cross-strung harps, and she offers lessons on all of them.

“This (business) is very specialized," Yousoufian said. "There’s a lot to know; things are always changing, and harps are always improving."

Starting the business

Yousoufian’s unique business opened 20 years ago, with this niche clientele in mind. Harps have never been as popular to play as other instruments, partly due to cost, so harp specialty shops are few and far between, she said.

“At the time (I opened the store), it was extremely difficult to get anything for the harp—a book, a string, anything. A lot has changed since then, and that’s very good.

"More types of harps are (widely) available, and I want to show people that there are different kinds of harps and that it’s affordable now," she said.

According to Yousoufian, a pedal harp, the kind typically played in an orchestra, runs from $12,000 to more than $25,000.

“They have complicated mechanisms,” she said.

However, traditional harps have been out longer and can cost half that price, depending on size, Yousoufian said. These harps include the diatonic lever harp and the chromatic cross-strung and double-strung harps. She demonstrated a scale on each during this interview and played a rendition of the folk ballad "Greensleeves" on a lever harp.

Teaching harp lessons

Yousoufian has performed in New York, Toronto, Prague and Paris, and she still plays for private celebrations, corporate functions and restaurants. Between all these activities, she finds the time to buy, sell and refurbish harps, and she teaches private lessons.

Students are encouraged to try different types of harps.

“Not only does (Yousoufian) show you the mechanics of harp, she lets you try all the harps,” said Clawson resident Jo Pritchard, who began lessons in January 2009. “She gives (students) a lesson, but she also she gives you a lot of history about the harp, and about music in general, with a little bit of music theory. She’s really good.”

Lessons are held weekly and are generally one hour long; students may choose to come before or after store hours. Yousoufian welcomes students of all ages with any level of experience.

Student Sandy Lee of Troy has been playing since November 2009, finding the time for lessons while caring for her four children.

“I was driving through Clawson and saw the Michigan Harp Center,” Lee said. “I had already thought about playing the harp—I already play clarinet and piano—but seeing the store gave me the impetus to learn it.”

Lee owns a 38-string lever harp and just bought a lap harp, with the intention of volunteering at nursing homes and hospitals. “The harp can be therapeutic,” she said. Lee said she would also like to play at her church, New Hope Church in Southfield.

Every student has a different reason for learning the harp.

“I’ve always wanted to try playing the harp—not as a career, just for myself—and when I retired, that was a great opportunity,” Pritchard said. “I like the sound of the harp; it’s beautiful and relaxing.

“And (Yousoufian) is an amazing person," she added. "She’s not pushy … and she really loves harps. She’ll go places, and she’ll find an old one that needs to be restored, and she’ll work on it."

The Michigan Harp Center is located at 89 W. 14 Mile Rd. in Clawson. Hours are noon-5 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; noon-7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; and by appointment. For a list of available harps, lesson pricing and other information, visit michiganharpcenter.com. To book Kelly Yousoufian for an event, call 248-288-HARP (248-288-4277) or e-mail her at michiganharpcenter@gmail.com for availability.