Harpist, Denise Grupp-Verbon
Denise’s harp journey began at age 11, studying privately for several years with Peoria Symphony Principal Harpist, Marjorie Winters, and continuing with Chicago Symphony Principal Harpist (retired), Edward Druzinsky. After earning a Masters Degree in Harp Performance from Northwestern University, she began working as a free-lance musician in the Northwest Ohio area. Denise performs on both lever and pedal harp and is a highly sought after clinician with a thriving private teaching studio. Her publications include arrangements for both harp solo and harp ensemble, and she has developed several instructional books for both lever and pedal harp. Denise is an Adjunct Music Instructor at Owens State Community College, where she teaches Music Theory I and II, Piano I and II, Piano for Majors, Music Business I and II, along with other assorted music courses. In 2005-2006 Denise was awarded Adjunct Teacher of the Year by The Board of Directors of the Ohio Association of Two-Year Colleges
Acoustic Guitarist, Michael Grupp-Verbon
Michael began his music career as a teen playing drums and percussion in a weekend variety show in Toledo, Ohio. Upon graduation from high school he enlisted in the United States Army, serving part of his enlistment as a percussionist in the U.S. Army Band. While in service he started a degree program focusing on computer science, and after his discharge from the military he successfully completed several degrees and certifications in computer technology. All along, he has continued to stay active in the music industry either as a performer or technician. Always having played guitar, Michael returned to school, taking college level music courses, as well as attending workshops with such prominent fingerstyle guitarists as Don Ross, John Gorka, and most notably, Grammy Award Winning "DADGAD" fingerstyle guitarist, Al Petteway. Michael continues to travel to Al’s home studio, regularly, to study privately with him. He actively composes and arranges much of the material recorded and performed by TAPESTRY, and as a soloist.
