The Jude Mollenhauer Scholarship Fund was created to ensure young people will continue to experience the transformative powers of harp education through the Lyra Society.

Established by Ms. Mollenhauer’s daughter Jude Webster, the gift honors Ms. Mollenhauer’s extraordinary dedication in her 40+ years as an educator and reflects her generosity of spirit.

About Jude Mollenhauer

Jude Mollenhauer was born in Quincy, IL December 16, 1939. She began her musical studies with piano at age six, and then began harp lessons at the age of nine. From age 13, Jude studied with Carlos Salzedo in Camden, ME during the summers. She continued while attending the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia during the school year.

Jude joined Salzedo’s Angelaires harp quintet at the age of seventeen, touring the country and Canada with them for one year. Following her graduation from Curtis she became a member of the Icelandic National Symphony in Reykjavik for the year. She returned to Philadelphia to become principal harpist of the Chamber Symphony, the Grand Opera, and the Lyra Opera. She performed regularly as a soloist with the Pennsylvania Ballet Orchestra in numerous recitals at Carnegie Hall and several annual summer music festivals. For more than twenty years she was ensconced in the musical community in Philadelphia.

After performing as Principal Harp of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra for one year, Jude moved to the Columbus Symphony Orchestra as principal harpist, where she played for thirty-two years until her retirement in 2018. Jude has also recorded four CD’s.

Jude was a consummate performer and a deeply dedicated teacher. She embraced the multiple responsibilities of educating young harpists. Her students brought her much joy, as she felt great pride for them, no matter the achievement, musical or otherwise. Every improvement counted. She let them know that, as they too, openly expressed their loving appreciation for her. Many of her students have gone on to distinguished musical careers as performers and educators as well as pursuing alternative career paths and enriching their lives with music.

She served on the faculties of Otterbein and Capital Universities in Columbus Ohio. She volunteered her time and expertise to the patients at the James Cancer Center, to the American Harp Society, the Shepherd’s Center of Northern Virginia, and served as a judge for many international and regional competitions.

Jude passed away on January 19, 2024, at the age of eighty-four.