Maryruth Culver

Maryruth Culver, D.M.A. is a harpist, vocalist, educator, and conductor based in Escondido, California. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Harp Performance from the University of Arizona, where she studied with renowned harpist Dr. Carrol McLaughlin and graduated Magna Cum Laude on a full-tuition scholarship. During her time at the University of Arizona, she also pursued classical voice and jazz studies.

Dr. Culver went on to earn a Master of Arts in Ritual Chant and Song from the University of Limerick, Ireland, where she specialized in Gregorian Semiology and graduated with First Class Honors. During her time in Ireland, she studied voice with acclaimed sean-nós singer Nóirin Ní Riain, Catherine Sergent of the Paris-based ensemble Discantus, Dr. Oscar Mascareñas, and Marie Walshe, while also studying traditional and historical harp.

Upon returning to the United States, Dr. Culver earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Harp Performance from the University of Utah, where she studied harp with Dr. Cathryn Clayton and earned a doctoral minor in choral conducting under Dr. Barlow Bradford and Dr. Austin Thorpe. Her doctoral research examined the impact of harp ensemble performance on the development of the harpist. During her years at the University of Utah, she was also a member of Crimson Harps.

Dr. Culver has performed extensively throughout the United States and internationally as a harpist and vocalist. She was a featured performer with the internationally acclaimed HarpFusion, appearing on Harp On Tour and HarpFusion Live: The Cosmos Concert and touring throughout Mexico, Belgium, the Netherlands, Liechtenstein, Austria, Switzerland, Brazil, and the Southwestern United States. As a soloist, she has performed at the Rio de Janeiro Harp Festival in Brazil, in Ireland, and throughout the Southwestern United States.

Her vocal work spans classical, traditional, liturgical, and contemporary styles. She has collaborated with contemporary Christian recording artists including Matt Maher, Tom Booth, Jackie Francois, and Tatiana Cameron, and has performed as both a vocalist and instrumentalist in a variety of ensemble and liturgical settings. Her background in Gregorian chant, Irish sean-nós singing, classical voice, and choral music has become an integral part of her musical identity.

Her commercial and orchestral work as a harpist has included regular engagements throughout the Southwest United States, as well as chamber and orchestral performances with groups such as the Salt Lake Symphony, United States Marine Band, and San Diego Baroque.

As an educator and arts advocate, Dr. Culver is the founder and director of HarpWaves, a thriving community harp ensemble dedicated to making harp performance accessible, collaborative, and engaging for harpists of all ages and experience levels. Through HarpWaves, she creates performance and educational opportunities for harpists while bringing the instrument to new audiences throughout San Diego County.

Dr. Culver also maintains a thriving private harp and music studio in Escondido, where she teaches students of all ages and levels. She serves as Co-Director of the University of Utah's Utah Harp Experience, an annual summer program bringing harpists together for intensive study, ensemble playing, and community.

In addition to her performing and teaching career, Dr. Culver has served as a Director of Music and Choral Director for Catholic churches throughout San Diego. Her diverse musical background spans harp performance, vocal performance, Gregorian chant, Irish traditional music, choral conducting, and music education.

Maryruth is passionate about creating meaningful musical experiences—whether through performance, teaching, community music-making, or helping the next generation of harpists and musicians discover the joy of making music.