![\"Harpist](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Yumiko2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you choose the piccolo?\u201d Harpist Yukimo Endo Schlaffer is accustomed to answering that question about her large, heart-shaped string instrument.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love the harp. So, of course, no regret for that, but still, moving the harp is hard,\u201d Endo Schlaffer said.<\/p>\n
Endo Schlaffer will move her harp into Moody Performance Hall to perform Claude Debussy\u2019s Danse sacr\u00e9e et danse profane as the featured soloist with the Dallas Chamber Symphony on April 21. The program also includes Henryk G\u00f3recki\u2019s Three Pieces in Old Style and Richard Strauss\u2019 Metamorphosen.<\/p>\n
The harpist comes from a musical family in Japan and started studying music theory and playing piano at age three. When she was nine years old, she began playing the harp.<\/p>\n
\u201cGrowing up in the musician’s family is very tough because when I’m practicing, whether they’re making dinner or whatever the situation, they’re going to say, \u2018You have to play one more time, or that note is wrong,\u2019\u201d Endo Schlaffer said. \u201cNow I appreciate that a lot, because you don’t really get that usually. And it toughened me up, \u00a0and it also really educated me a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n
While studying at a prestigious high school for music with other musicians focused on classical music, Endo Schaffer committed herself to a career as a harpist. Her first teacher, Ayako Shinozaki, was a foundational guide.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was influenced a lot by her, and she is like my second mother,\u201d Endo Schlaffer said. \u201cShe was the one who made my base with all the technique and artistry. I really appreciate her.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\t\t\t\t\tCourtesy of Yumiko Endo SchlafferCourtesy of Yumiko Endo Schlaffer<\/p>\n
Endo Schlaffer has been playing the harp since age nine.<\/p>\n
After earning her bachelor\u2019s degree from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, Endo Schlaffer wanted to explore the world beyond Japan. Her best options for continued studies were Paris Conservatory or Juilliard\u00a0in New York. She chose New York.<\/p>\n
\u201cReally, the city has diverse people, different occupations, and they have the open arms to welcome people. so that I really liked the idea. But also culturally, they have everything and I wanted to see the world,\u201d Endo Schlaffer said.<\/p>\n
After studying with Nancy Allen for three years at Juilliard, she earned her master\u2019s degree and realized she wasn\u2019t ready to go back to Japan.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really don’t know anything. I learned, I studied, but I did not really feel I received fully all the benefits that U.S. can offer,\u201d Endo Schlaffer said.<\/p>\n
She moved to Chicago, joining the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the training program of Chicago Symphony Orchestra. After a couple of years in Chicago studying under Sarah Bullen, Endo Schaffler wanted to continue her immersion in all things American by moving to Florida and serving as New World Symphony\u2019s principal harpist from 2001 to 2004.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd still, I didn’t feel I fully understood American culture. So, then I auditioned for the New World Symphony and New World Symphony is a great orchestra for the young musicians. They put you into the schedule for the professional orchestra. So, you have two, three concerts per week, and then rehearsal almost every day, and then different type of music opportunities,\u201d Endo Schlaffer said.<\/p>\n
Endo Schlaffer has performed as a soloist throughout the United States of America, Europe and Asia, including performing at the Imperial Palace for Her Majesty the Empress and Her Royal Highnesses. She also appreciates performing as an orchestral harpist, playing Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, New York Philharmonic and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s a different experience for you as a harpist. Because as a soloist, of course, you play by yourself,
and then you don’t have teammates. But then, when you’re in the orchestra, then we can make eye contact with the brass players, the wind players, or even violin and cellists. We breathe together, and then really, when you play, individual instruments become united, and then we can make some magical moments, really goosebumps kind of moments. It’s just so beautiful,\u201d Endo Schlaffer said.<\/p>\n
Chamber orchestras are a great fit for Endo Schlaffer, and she has performed with chamber groups in Asia, Europe and the United States of America.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the smaller orchestra, you actually hear everything more clearly,\u201d Endo Schlaffer said. \u201cIt’s\u00a0more intimate, so you feel more connection and it’s a great experience.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now based in Frisco, Endo Schlaffer has been playing with Dallas Chamber Symphony since its founding in 2011.<\/p>\n
\u201cDCS is rather young orchestra, and their energy is good. But also, Richard [McKay, the orchestra\u2019s artistic director] has this very good idea for visual art, like combining the film and music together. He has a clear vision of what he wants to do musically and those are the really interesting ideas that I love to see,\u201d Endo Schlaffer said.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"Harpist](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_4689-2-1.jpg\")
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\t\t\t\t\tCourtesy of Dallas Chamber SymphonyCourtesy of Dallas Chamber Symphony<\/p>\n
Endo Schlaffer is an avid chamber musician.<\/p>\n
In 1904, Pleyel, a harp manufacturer, commissioned Debussy to write Danse sacr\u00e9e et danse profane for its new chromatic harp, an instrument with an additional set of strings instead of pedals. The piece is two distinct dances performed without a pause across ten minutes.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was tired of traditional sound, and he wanted to do something different,\u201d Endo Schlaffer said. \u201cIt has just so many colors in it. It’s amazing. It’s a beautiful piece.\u201d<\/p>\n