Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaffee Peck.
Hi Kaffee, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in Malaysia, a Muslim country, but my father was a Methodist pastor. Music was a part of my life from a very young age. I began piano lessons early, and one day I saw a harp at my piano teacher’s house. That moment stayed with me. There were no officially trained harp teachers in Malaysia then, so learning the harp was anything but easy.
When I graduated from high school, I was an excellent pianist, a good guitarist, and could play the harp decently. I worked for a few years as a piano and guitar teacher, saved up as much as I could, and eventually came to the United States to study piano at Oklahoma City University.
I arrived in Oklahoma City with only $2,000 for tuition and boarding. By the second week, I had started working at a Chinese restaurant. I had no idea what sweet and sour sauce was, and I had never even seen a fortune cookie before. Those early days were a crash course in both American culture and hard work.
My daily routine was intense but disciplined. I woke up early, went to class, worked at the restaurant, then returned to campus and practiced from 6 p.m. to midnight every day. A few weeks into school, I realized that although my major was piano, I was the best harpist in the entire school. I went to the Dean, asked for a scholarship, and was granted a full ride. That moment was a turning point. I shifted my focus to harp and never looked back.
After earning my Bachelor’s degree in piano in just two and a half years, I continued my studies at University of Southern California, where I was awarded a full scholarship and studied under the phenomenal harpist JoAnn Turovsky. I spent the next decade at USC, completing my Doctorate and immersing myself fully in the harp.
Since then, I’ve built my career as a performer, teacher, arranger, composer, and publisher of harp music. I’ve worked with students from all walks of life and shared the harp with audiences across the world. From that first spark in Malaysia to long nights of practice in Oklahoma and beyond, the harp has been at the heart of my story.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The bridge coming from Malaysia was the hardest part of my journey. Leaving my home country took a lot of courage, faith, and determination. I arrived with very little, and everything was new — the culture, the language nuances, the education system, and the reality of starting over from scratch. That first step was by far the steepest climb.
Being an immigrant came with constant challenges, especially around visa and legal status. There were many years when my future felt uncertain, and everything I did had to be planned carefully around those limitations.
But through all of it, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to meet so many good and generous people who helped me along the way. Their kindness and support made the impossible possible at many crucial moments in my life.
Life also brought its own chapters — marriage, being a mom, and later, divorce. There were seasons when my focus shifted, and I had to put my energy into my children and holding everything together. Balancing personal responsibilities with professional ambitions wasn’t easy, but it taught me resilience and gave me a deeper sense of purpose.
Looking back, those struggles shaped me just as much as my achievements did. They built my character, strengthened my determination, and gave me a much greater appreciation for every opportunity that came my way.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a harpist, educator, arranger, and composer. Over the years, my work has grown to include performing, teaching, arranging and composing music for the harp, and publishing educational materials for harpists around the world.
I love creating music that’s expressive and approachable. In recent years, I’ve published a number of harp books that have been used by students and teachers internationally. My most recent release, Passport for Harpists, is a collection that brings together traditional and original music from around the world. It’s a project that reflects my love of both music and cultural connection, and I’m especially proud of how it’s already resonating with harpists globally.
I also run a large private studio with students of all ages. Teaching is a central part of my work, and I enjoy guiding students through performances, ensemble projects, and creative learning experiences.
What sets my work apart is the way I blend performance, teaching, and publishing. I approach everything from both a musician’s and an educator’s perspective, creating materials and experiences that are not just beautiful, but practical and meaningful for all harp learners.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
For performers, teachers, and music lovers, many of my published books are available internationally through my website and major platforms like Amazon and Sheet Music Plus. I also share music regularly on my YouTube channel, where people can watch performances, get updates on new projects, and learn more about my work.
I’m always open to creative collaborations—whether that’s music projects, educational initiatives, or performance opportunities. And of course, supporting independent artists can be as simple as following me on my social accounts and subscribing to my YouTube channel. Every bit of support goes a long way, and I truly appreciate it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.OrangeCountyHarp.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaffeepeck
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaffee.mimun
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@kaffeepeck
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/bN51pSrqsN
- Other: https://www.OrangeCountyHarp.com
