Heidi Harris
Associate Concertmaster Louis D. Beaumont Chair
Violinist Heidi Harris won her first orchestra job in the St. Louis Symphony during her senior year of college at the New England Conservatory. A few years later she left the STL Symphony to join the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, where she remained for three seasons. In 1998 she returned to St. Louis as Assistant Concertmaster, and shortly thereafter earned her current position as Associate Concertmaster.

Harris began her musical studies on the piano at age three, and began studying the violin at age four. At age 13 she made her solo debut with the Utah Symphony under the baton of Joseph Silverstein, returning again to solo with the same orchestra at ages 15 and 19. After graduating high school from the Interlochen Arts Academy, Harris went on to earn her Bachelor of Music degree from the New England Conservatory, attending under full scholarship. Harris also served as an extra in the Boston Symphony Orchestra under Seiji Ozawa, participating in recordings with Bernard Haitink, as well as touring with the BSO while still in school.

Harris has soloed extensively, as well as given recitals in the U.S. and Europe in such venues as the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, and the Mozarteum in Germany. Her most recent concerto appearances have been with Leonard Slatkin conducting, in performances of Bartok’s Violin Concerto No. 2, and with David Robertson conducting, in performances of Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 4, both with the St. Louis Symphony. As well as recital and solo performances, Harris has served as guest concertmaster of the Seattle Symphony and the Phoenix Symphony.

All of Harris’ solo and recital performances benefit Livada Orphan Care. Heidi Harris performs on a G.B. Guadagnini violin, dated 1753.

Erik Harris
Principal Double Bass, Henry Loew Chair
Erik Harris joined the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra as Principal Double Bass in September 1993. Mr. Harris attended the Juilliard School on a full scholarship, where he studied with Homer Mensch. Also among his teachers was Stuart Sankey, with whom he studied at the Aspen Music Festival and School.
           
As a student, he won the double bass competition and performed a concerto with the Juilliard Symphony. He went on to receive both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the prestigious music school. Upon graduation, Harris served as Principal Bass with the New World Symphony during its inaugural season in 1988. The following year, at age 23, Harris was invited by Sir Georg Solti to join the Chicago Symphony, where he played until 1993.
           
Since coming to St. Louis Harris has performed as soloist with the St. Louis Symphony in 1995 and 2011, has performed in chamber music concerts at the Sheldon Concert Hall and has taught master classes at the Manhattan School of Music, the Juilliard School and at Brigham Young University.
           
Born in New York City, Harris was raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He lives in Clayton, Missouri with his wife, SLSO Associate Concertmaster Heidi Harris, and their two children, Asher and Eden. In whatever spare time he has, Harris enjoys cooking, gardening, and home remodeling.
           

Erik Harris performs on a double bass made by Johannes Gagliano in 1804.