Lucile Lawrence (February 7, 1907 in New Orleans – July 8, 2004 in Englewood, New Jersey) was a leader among American harpists. At the end of her life, she was actively teaching as a faculty member of Boston University and the Manhattan School of Music as well as teaching privately. Career Lawrence was born into a prominent family with historic roots in New England (Lawrence, Massachusetts). Her father was a prominent businessman in New Orleans, at one time owner of the first cold-storage warehouse in the city. He once boated the length of the Mississippi with Mr. Hormel, of the meat-packing plant in Minnesota. She was a fourth-generation harpist, beginning her studies at age six. Her aunt was for many years a prominent non-professional Boston harpist, who performed the Boston premiere of the Debussy Sonata for harp, flute and viola. At the age of eight, Lucile appeared as soloist with the New Orleans Junior Philharmonic. A prodigious student, she was introduced to Carlos Salzedo while he was in New Orleans performing on tour with his Trio de Lutece, and began private study with him in New York and Seal Harbor at age fourteen, then returned to finish high school at age fifteen, thereafter studying full-time in New York. Her advanced studies were all conducted privately, with music history and theory lessons taken with the eminent composer Edgard Varese. [all notes from private conversations with Miss Lawrence and other published articles] Her studies consisted of at least two harp lessons a week, piano study and practicing harp four to five hours daily, along with two hours of piano, French studies, and swimming and riding. It was during summers of study in the artistic colony of Seal Harbor, Maine that Lucile came to know many society people and prominent musicians. She recalled the games of charades all would gather to play, and how Leopold Stokowski would swaddle his head in diapers to play the clue, "Moses in the bullrushes". She made her professional debut at age 18 with an eight-month concert tour of Australia and New Zealand, a lengthy 123-concert tour of joint recitals with the soprano Edna Thomas. She enjoyed recalling lunching with Fritz Kreisler while on tour, as he was also touring the same area. Upon returning to the U.S., she continued her private study with Salzedo, toured as first harpist in the Salzedo Harp Ensemble throughout the U.S., and