Olivia Hitt Rocket City Harpist playing her Camac Athena Harp

About

There are two-fold reasons why I claim to be the Rocket City Harpist. The first is probably obvious; Huntsville is named the Rocket City for a reason. The second is I am deeply invested in anything rockets and propulsion because I am married to a rocket scientist. If it weren’t for rockets and music, I might not have met him.

As students at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, we met when we were assigned to be team members to put together a presentation on the similarities between music and rocket science for a competition. I was totally out of my element, but my dear husband was definitely in his since he is both a rocket scientist and trombonist and knows both fields quite well. We named the presentation “Bad Vibes in Music and Propulsion,” won the competition, and the rest is history. We are happily married and have a lovely baby girl.

Awards

  • UAH Music Department’s Outstanding Performer for the academic year of 2016-2017

  • Selected student performer at the UAH Music Department’s Jubilee Celebration of 50 years

  • 1st place in the UAH Music Department’s Annual Music Scholarship Competition for 2016

  • 2nd place in the UAH Music Department’s Annual Music Scholarship Competition for 2015

  • 1st place in the Jan Pennington Gray Harp Scholarship Competition on January 31, 2015

  • Honorable Mention in the UAH Music Department’s Annual Music Scholarship Competition for 2014

  • Honorable Mention in the Decatur Music Club competition for 2012 and 2013

 

Experience

  • Featured performer at the Cook’s Museum 5th Anniversary Gala (May 2024)

  • Featured performer at the Rocket City Scottish Festival and Highland Games (October 2023)

  • Director of the Rocket City Harp Ensemble (2020-2024)

  • Director of the annual Rocket City Harp Concerts (Spring 2020, 2021, 2023, & 2024)

  • President of the Alabama Chapter of the American Harp Society (January 2019- March 2023)

  • Huntsville Symphony Orchestra (2014-2017) Student harpist in Peace on Earth productions

  • Sul Ponticello Orchestra (2016) Principal Harp

  • UAH Wind Ensemble (2014-2017) Principal Harp 2015-2017 Co-Principal Harp 2014-2015

  • Huntsville Youth Orchestra (2014-2017) Principal Harp 2015-2017 Co-Principal Harp 2014-2015

  • Sewanee Summer Music Festival (2015) Principal Harp

  • Harps of Huntsville Ensemble member (2014)

  • Bob Jones University Harp Ensemble member (2013-2014)

  • Tennessee Valley Music Festival (2009-2016) Principle Harp 2016

  • Decatur Youth Symphony (2011-2012) Principle Harp

 

 

Memberships

I am a member of the American Harp Society, the Alabama Chapter of the American Harp Society, and The International Society of Folk Harpers and Craftsmen.