Meet Paige Camryn | Southern California Harpist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Paige Camryn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Paige, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Honestly, my business naturally evolved over time. I’ve grown up performing with my harp from a young age and I am also the baby of a very entrepreneurial family. My parents had their own business for many years while we were growing up. After studying communication and music in college, my family really encouraged me to pursue playing the harp as a profession. My sister, Taylor Jayne, is an attorney and real estate agent who is one of my biggest encouragers! My brother Parker (who took my lovely photos) is a commercial photographer and videographer. He kindly helped me set up a YouTube channel and a professional website in 2021. It’s become more and more central to my life as the years have gone on. I am grateful for all the support from my husband Brandon and dear friends and family throughout the process, as well as the experiences I’ve been able to have. This gift God has given me is a true joy to share with others. I love seeing people’s eyes light up when I play a familiar tune. Everyone reacts differently..some dance, cry, sing along, or are intently listening and watching every note plucked.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
To me, it’s so much more than just playing a fairly unique instrument for others to hear and enjoy, I love connecting with and meeting new people. Everyone has a fascinating and diverse story to tell. Music has a way of bridging the gap between two seemingly very different individuals and opening the door for memorable and insightful conversation. I’ve been keeping the Latin phrase, “Soli Deo Gloria”, at the forefront of my mind lately and it’s been really impactful. No matter what we do, whether it’s plucking a string or sweeping the floor, it can bring God glory when we do it for His honor and have the right heart posture. My business brings me joy because I have a secure hope and purpose in Christ. There have been times when my identity was tied up in other things, often good things like music or relationships. I couldn’t have made it to where I am today without God reorienting my heart and my life. When Jesus is actively the center of my life, everything is put in perspective. I have no reason to be anxious about controlling the narrative because I have peace in knowing that I can’t, and that God is perfectly sovereign. Any event or gig I have the opportunity to partake in is God-ordained, and there’s a supernatural peace in knowing that.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love Thousand Oaks! It’s cozy and quiet, but there’s still fun outings to do and the beach and mountains aren’t far away! I really enjoy thrifting, so we’d hit downtown Ventura for coffee/matcha and some elite thrifting! I’d take them to the Ventura pier for some fish tacos or shrimp burritos and to hang out at the beach. A Malibu beach day, hike and smoothies or scenic drive to Santa Barbara for the farmer’s market and a concert at the SB bowl would be lovely too. Personally, we’d stay out of DTLA. Not my cup of tea, but if they really wanted to go, we could check out Griffith Observatory, Grand Central Market (Angels Flight is worth taking a ride on), and the Original Farmer’s Market at the Grove. Butcher’s Daughter in Venice, a walk through the canals to admire adorable houses and boats. If you’re looking for snow nearby, Frazier Park will do and has the best “heart attack” crust pizza. Ojai is always a good idea! So many possibilities..they wouldn’t be bored! I’d also take them to a Sunday service at my second home, Bethany Bible Church!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My wonderful husband, family, friends, harp instructors, music professors, and so many more. I also need to thank the special features series from “Barbie of Swan Lake”. At age 5, I was so enamored watching the process of how they made the music for the movie. I told my parents then and there that I wanted to play the harp. As God’s plan would have it, my mom found a harp teacher who lived right up the street from us, Toni Robinson Bogart. She was and is highly respected in the music community and had never taken on such a young student. I used to cry on a weekly basis because I wanted to just “get it right” on the first try. Learning that practice makes perfect (and then practicing some more) was truly humbling for me. I eventually stopped crying and Toni is still one of my dear friends. We get together often and I love getting her advice and sharing about upcoming gigs. Last but certainly not least, my now 91 year old Grandma Jane gifted me my current Lyon & Healy mahogany pedal harp for Christmas when I was just ten years old. I remember crying and hugging her, but not being sure why I was crying. Now, looking back, my eyes are filled with tears again as I really didn’t know how great of a gift I had received at the time. I couldn’t even reach the low notes, but I eventually grew into it and it’s been all over the West Coast with me.

Website: https://www.paigecamryn.com/

Instagram: @paigetheharpist

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551663203147

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@paigetheharpist

Image Credits
Parker Amstutz (Amstutz Creative)