Remembering Maria Casale, 1962-2024
The Los Angeles Chapter is deeply saddened to announce the passing of harpist Maria Casale.
Maria Casale was Professor of Harp at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. She was the Gold Medalist of the first USA International Harp Competition in 1989. Her solo debut recital in 1990 at Lincoln Center was met with critical acclaim. She was a featured soloist at the 1990 World Harp Congress in Paris and the 1999 World Harp Congress in Prague. She performed as soloist with many major orchestras, including the Israel Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Santa Barbara Symphony, and San Diego Symphony.
Maria began her harp studies at the age of six with Sister Emerentia at Marylhurst College in Portland, Oregon. In 1980 she entered the Juilliard School of Music, studying under Susann McDonald, where she earned both her Bachelor and Master Degrees.
Surviving Maria are her husband, Christopher Hanulik, principal bassist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, and their two children, Nicholas and Isabella.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 2:30pm at the St. Francis de Sales Church, 13360 Valleyheart Dr., Sherman Oaks, CA 91423.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, you consider honoring Maria with a donation to the Melanoma Research Alliance, https://www.curemelanoma.org.