Finding Her Voice, One Harp String at a Time

For Liane James ’02, music has always been at the heart of her story. Born in England and raised in the GTA, Liane’s love of the arts began early. Her mother often took her out of school to see musicals in Toronto, sparking a lifelong fascination with performance. She sang in children’s and church choirs, took piano and voice lessons, and, eventually, fell in love with the harp—a discovery that would shape her future.

That discovery happened while Liane was a student at Trafalgar Castle School. Her parents found a Celtic harp maker in Kingston and gifted her an instrument that would soon become her trademark. “Traf was where I gained confidence and really grew into myself,” she recalls. As a student, she immersed herself in music, performing in The Sound of Music, The Wizard of Oz, and Into the Woods, and singing with the Celebration and Christmas choirs. In her final year, she was even the only student taking music as a credit—designing her own independent harp projects with Mr. Southwell’s guidance.

Liane’s time at Traf was filled with standout experiences, from choir retreats and Experience Week adventures to performing in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with Donny Osmond. She graduated in 2002, having attended Traf from Grade 7 through OAC—the full journey possible at the time.

After graduation, Liane earned her Bachelor of Music in Performance from Wilfrid Laurier University (2007) and her Master of Music from the University of Toronto (2011), studying with renowned harpist Judy Loman. That same year, she was accepted into the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, touring and performing across the country.

Today, Liane enjoys a vibrant career as a professional harpist and teacher. She performs at weddings, receptions, and corporate events, and serves as Principal Harpist with the Ontario Philharmonic, while also collaborating with orchestras across Ontario.

Reflecting on her time at Traf, Liane remains grateful for the school’s forward-thinking approach. “We were one of the first schools to have a laptop program—it was groundbreaking,” she says. “Traf prepared us for the future in so many ways.” She’s proud to see the school continue investing in STEM and the arts, encouraging students to aim high and explore their passions.

As Trafalgar’s first-ever harp student, Liane hopes to see others follow in her footsteps. “There have been so many fabulous musicians from Traf, but I’d love to see more harpists in the future,” she shares. Her advice to current students: “Learn from your teachers, practice as much as you can, and take time to enjoy life. That balance will carry you far.”

Liane’s journey is a testament to Trafalgar Castle’s lasting impact—nurturing confidence, creativity, and independence that continue to inspire long after graduation.