Maria T Casale Hanulik

Maria Casale, beloved wife and mother, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday January 6, 2024 at the age of 61. Maria was born in Santa Monica, CA to Louis & Beulah (Bunny) Casale, the third of four children. The family moved to Milwaukie, Oregon shortly after. Maria began 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 in NYC, studying under Susann McDonald, where she earned her Bachelor and Masters Degrees. It was at Juilliard where she met her husband, Christopher Hanulik, whom she married in 1987. Maria went on to become a world-class award winning concert harpist, most notably being the gold medal winner of the first USA International Harp Competition in 1989. Her solo debut recital in 1990 at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, brought her critical acclaim.

She was featured soloist at various World Harp Congress gatherings including those in Prague, Czech Republic and Paris. Among the prestigious list of orchestras Maria performed solos with include Israel Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic and Orchestra Sinfonica National. She also performed with the Oregon Symphony, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Los Angeles Opera, Long Beach Symphony, and San Louis Obispo Mozart Festival. In addition to her busy performance schedule, Maria was a Professor of Harp at Pepperdine University and California State University, Northridge and kept a harp studio with her private students.

Maria was devoted to her husband, Christopher Hanulik, Principal Bassist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, and her two children, Nicholas and Isabella. When she wasn't playing the harp she enjoyed rescuing animals, playing Mahjong, exercising, antiquing and spending time with her family.