Magazine Spotlights Music Alumna’s Harp Career

Grace Wepner Ludtke ’07 was featured in Our State Magazine. The article spotlights Grace’s work as a founding member of the North Carolina Harp Ensemble, her work as a mentor, and how her grandmother supported her dreams from the very beginning.

Grace spoke fondly of her time at Converse. She performed on the harp in her first opera at Converse, Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi. Grace said thanks to that opportunity at Converse, “I fell in love with operatic musical and theatrical experience and highlights of my musical career continue to be performing on the harp in productions with the North Carolina Opera Orchestra and Greensboro Opera.”

While earning her BA in Music at Converse, Grace served as a Converse Orientation Leader for three years, welcoming new students to campus each Fall. “Introducing new students to Converse traditions and the college experience was one of the most fun leadership roles I held while a student at Converse,” she said.

During the summer of 2005, Grace participated in study travel with Converse’s Petrie School of Music European Tour, performing throughout England, Austria, and the Czech Republic. While there, Converse students and faculty attended a special dinner at a castle in England where they played an impromptu performance for a hundred British soldiers. Grace also met her future husband on this trip at Harlaxton Manor, where Converse students and faculty stayed for the first part of the tour. Grace said, “I am very grateful for Converse, being able to play the harp, and going on the tour.”