Passion For The Harp

Sam Lacour was born and raised in the city of Paris, France, where he fell in love with the harp at the age of 5 during a local music event. He’s been practicing the harp daily ever since. After a decade of classical training, Sam obtained his music certificates from the Paris Music Conservatory in harp and music theory, and decided to study abroad in California to pursue his Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. 

One evening, while practicing the harp in his bedroom, Sam’s neighbors knocked on the door. But instead of complaining about the noise, his neighbors asked him if they could come in and listen to his harp practice. Sam then realized that there was still an audience who would like to hear the harp live, but outside of the orchestra. He decided to take his harp to the open mic down the street, and was well received by the local musicians performing that night.

During his studies, Sam joined the UC Davis Symphony Orchestra as the principal harpist. The conductor, Maestro Christian Baldini, a world-renowned conductor and composer, became a great source of knowledge, inspiration and is now a long-time friend.

Since then, Sam has been very active in the Sacramento music community. The uniqueness of the harp and his ability to adapt to a variety of musical genres brought him to many different art venues, ranging from small music venues performing with local singers/songwriters, to art galleries and concert halls, performing with visual artists and even the Sacramento Ballet.

When he's not playing the harp, Dr. Lacour works as a Research Scientist at the University of California, Berkeley; holding a Ph.D. in Earthquake Engineering.