Charlotte
Harris,
Cello (1961-1978) Talented Cellist Held Her Own In
Lawrence Welk's Male-Dominated Orchestra
Charlotte Harris
played the cello on the Lawrence Welk Show from 1961
to 1978. She also holds the title of being the only
female member of the Lawrence Welk Orchestra.
Harris was born in Oakpark, Illinois in 1931 and at
the age of 5, began playing the piano and cello.
Harris turned professional at the age of 12 and
began playing at local fairs, compiling an
impressive list of 32 medals. After dropping out of
high school, Harris took the entrance exam for
Northwestern University and was accepted as a
freshman student. She later tried to join the
Chicago Symphony Orchestra, but the didn't allow
women to play at the time. Undeterred by such
discrimination, she moved to Brentwood, California
in 1956 and worked various venues including in the
Film, Around the World In Eighty Days before
becoming a permanent member of the Lawrence Welk
Orchestra.
Harris often appeared alongside Bob Ralston
and Myron Floren during solo's or as part of the band.
After leaving the show in 1978, Harris retired to Palos Verdes, CA where
her and her husband, Ed Deveny, teach at the Deveny Music School they
founded together.