Harp Twins’ mission to “make the harp rock”

SUN CITY – Camille and Kennerly Kitt are the world’s only known identical twin professional harp players. They were trained classically but have arranged modern day songs to be played on the harp.

Adopting the name The Harp Twins, the sisters were featured musicians at the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Celebration, playing for three events, including a dinner where President Barack Obama was the speaker.

(Photo provided)

“We fell in love with the harp [at an early age], and during high school we decided that we wanted to … major in harp performance in college,” Camille said. “We loved the harp, and we decided that performing is what we wanted to do,” said Kennerly.

The Harp twins are known for their duet harp arrangements of songs by popular artists like Pink Floyd, Journey, The Cranberries, Johnny Cash, Elton John, and more. They have also arranged and performed music from Broadway, TV, and film soundtracks.

On top of these, they also arrange and perform their own original pieces.

“We want to show people what we can do with the harp. Most people view the harp solely as elevator music or orchestral background. We want to show people that the harp can be a powerful stand-alone instrument. We can make the harp rock,” Kennerly said.

Like their music, the twins’ other hobbies seem to shatter the notion of harp players being quiet background players. They are both third-degree black belts in Tae Kwon Do and are also former instructors. Camille and Kennerly have also achieved the rank of distinguished experts in rifle marksmanship.

“We have always been extremely self-motivated. If we aren’t putting every ounce of our effort into achieving our goals, then we aren’t completely happy,” Kennerly said.

“We love it when we are working toward a goal and accomplishing something. Life is what you make it, and we plan to make our lives extraordinary,” Camille said.

Camille and Kennerly Kitt always knew they wanted to work together professionally.

“In college we had a professor who chastised us for having a goal that we would only play professionally together as a duo. She told us that our dream to only perform together was unrealistic,” Camille said.

“However, we have never been swayed by the opinions of others. We have proved her wrong,” Kennerly said.

Having proved that professor wrong, the twins now treasure playing together, with Kennerly calling the opportunity “a blessing.”

“It is amazing to be able to work with your best friend… We couldn’t imagine life any other way,” Camille said.

She summed up, “The best part about performing is being able to share our music with people. It is so wonderful that music can cross cultures, gender, age, religion, borders, and nationalities.”

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