Penny Howk Beavers was born in Joliet, IL in August 1942 to John and Aileen Howk, and died Sunday, March 9, 2025.
As did her mother, Aileen, Penny started playing the harp at the young age of five. Her classical training began with Sister M. Charles of Joliet, further expanded at Interlochen National Music Camp in 1959 and 1960 under the guidance of Charles Kleinstuber, where she was a Concerto Winner, and with Ruth Dean Clark at the University of Michigan, earning her Bachelor degree in Music Performance in 1965. During her senior year she began teaching at Flint College. She moved to Fresno, California in 1972, and then on to Cambria, California, where she taught harp and also played for weddings and other special occasions.
Penny was appointed Principal Harpist with the Fresno Philharmonic Orchestra, Bear Valley Music Festival and was also a recording harpist at George Lucas’ Skywalker Ranch for many years. She played on the Star Wars movie soundtracks, as well as for the Star Wars Trilogy CD and with many talented musicians, such as Johnny Mathis and Linda Ronstadt, both in concert and in the studio. She performed and lectured throughout the United States and Europe, founded the Central California Chapter of the American Harp Society in 1976, and served as Western Regional Director of the American Harp Society from 1986-1991. As the Treasurer of the American Harp Society Foundation, she had, for years, been actively involved with judging and awarding scholarships to worthy young harpists.
Penny travelled all over the world playing her harp. She was the banquet soloist for the 25th American Harp Society National Convention in Denver, Colorado, in 1988, was a performer/lecturer for the Salvi Pop Festivals in Santa Barbara, California, the Florida Summer Harp Festival in Orlando, Florida and co-hosted and performed a special event at the International Pop and Jazz Harpfest in Tucson, Arizona. She also represented the US on a panel of guest speakers and performers at the World Harp Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1993. Penny has four solo recordings and many solo harp arrangements published by Vanderbilt Music Company.
Penny was very active in her church in Fresno, and also later in Cayucos, Calif., where she played for church services every Sunday as well as many church functions.
Penny had sparkling blue eyes, a great sense of humor and an infectious laugh. She will be missed not only for her beautiful harp music, but by her many friends all around the world.
Penny is survived by her brother, Bruce (Patricia) Howk; and sister, Jill (Vic) Genge.
