Stanley Chaloupka composer

1922-2002

Chaloupka was born in 1922 in Oakland, California, and started playing the harp at the age of eight. He made his orchestral debut with the San Francisco Symphony at age sixteen, playing Ravel's Introduction and Allegro. He also played with the San Francisco Opera and Civic Light Opera Orchestras. He moved to Los Angeles in 1941 and two years later won his spot with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the age of twenty one and was with them from 1943 to 1983. His wife Paula performed as second harpist with him for many years.

Chaloupka was also very passionate about baseball. He wasn't allowed to be involved in little league because of his harp playing but coached in 1956 and was active in the organization for 35 years. As far as other leadership opportunities that he had, Stanley Chaloupka served as the first president of the Los Angeles American Harp Society chapter.