10 Questions with Janelle Lake

What would my superpower be? I would really like to be able to swim without needing air … forever. (laughs)

I’m Janelle Lake. I’m the principal harpist of the Elmhurst Symphony.

Happiest moment of your life?
I know I should say my wedding day or the birth of my two children but I’m going to go with today. I’m at this beautiful lake and we went kayaking all day. I get to spend the whole day with my family and my children.

Who is your favorite musician?
Besides Dr. Alltop, obviously, (laughs), I will say Claude Debussey as a composer.

Most famous person in your contact?
Depending on which circle you run in, Billy Swan or Billy Corgan from The Smashing Pumpkins.

Life Motto
Do your best, God’ll do the rest.

Chore you hate?
Laundry.

Chore you love?
I guess, cleaning the floors. I like having clean space around me.

Favorite piece?
It’s cliché – but it’s cliché for a reason – Claire de lune. I love Clair de lune.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
Believe it or not, I wanted to be a harpist since the age of 8 or a teacher. And I get to be a harpist and a harp teacher!

We’re coming to dinner. What do you serve?
I’d make a salmon with a grapefruit reduction, maybe some basil, shallots over a bed of couscous.

What’s the future of classical music?
It’s so nice to be together again and feeling the vibrations. Just being in person and experiencing. I know that our culture right now is about experiences. I think that’s where we’re going.

Piece you’re most looking forward to this season?
I’m really excited to be playing the Chabrier because I get to be a part of a harp section. So Julie Spring and I will both be playing the two harps. Although in print I was most excited about – on the same concert – the Capriccio Espagnol because it has such a killer harp credenza. Fun to play.