Candace Lark has spent more than three decades rewriting the rules of classical music in suburban Philadelphia. She first plucked her harp strings at age 13 and went on to win major awards and perform on famed stages. Yet the 46-year-old says her proudest moments come from mentoring new talent rather than solo spotlights.
For years she has guided sisters Christiana and Ava Gordon through every note and nervous stage entrance until both teens now beam under bright lights. This fall she will host the first-ever summit for Black harpists, a gathering designed to turn isolation into inspiration and give underrepresented musicians a home. “Seeing someone who looks like you makes all the difference,” Lark explains. By building this community, she’s expanding not just repertoires but also possibilities for the next generation.