◆ Tour Postscript ◆
About Jakez Francois and the CAMAC HARPS Team
In the previous article about the factory tour, I did my best to capture the processes we learned and documented. While I can't claim to have covered every detail, I've certainly put in a lot of effort to highlight the key points and new insights for everyone!
Additionally, one of the significant takeaways from this trip was the opportunity to explore CAMAC HARPS under the guidance of Executive Director Jakez Francois. During our two days of interactions, he not only walked us through each step of harp production in the factory but also shared his journey from being a professional classical harpist to becoming the executive director of a harp company. Understanding the reasons behind this transition shed light on how he has managed to lead CAMAC HARPS to its current status as one of Europe’s most recognized and best-selling harp brands for over a decade.
(Photo/ Jakez Francoise in his office at the factory. /
This photo is sourced from the website http://www.ancenis-mauges.fr/)
The editor has always been immensely curious about the reasons behind everything people do. So, during a recent lunch at an authentic French country restaurant, we savored the exquisite cuisine while discussing various harp-related topics. Naturally, this led to some fascinating stories about Jakez’s journey since taking over CAMAC.
＜Stepping into the CAMAC Harps factory, I unexpectedly discovered the mission and purpose of my life.＞
When Joël Garnier, the founder of CAMAC, invited me to visit the factory and later became a partner and trial harpist, I began to reflect on my journey in harp music. Not every harpist has the chance to gain such an in-depth understanding of the instruments we play. Through this experience, I started to realize that I have many ideas and thoughts about harp production and improvement. After all, who better than a harpist can understand the needs of fellow players and create a high-quality harp for them? I began to feel that this might be my true mission and purpose in life.
＜ The starting point is singular, and the only principle: is to make high-quality harps, with a commitment that allows no compromise. ＞
When I took on the role of Executive Director in 2000, both the company and I were in a state of debt. I had to meet with a senior consultant to discuss and redesign the company's operations and future direction. During our meeting, the consultant proposed a solution to address the company's debt situation: to move some of the harp production to China. He mentioned that other well-known harp manufacturers had already relocated certain models to China, believing that this would significantly reduce production costs and alleviate the company’s financial strain.
I responded by acknowledging that while some brands do manufacture in China, I found it difficult to achieve the "good" quality I demanded for such a precise and meticulous instrument as the harp. Therefore, I could not accept this solution.
That day, we spent several hours in discussion, but the consultant remained steadfast in his opinion. Eventually, I told him, “I took over CAMAC HARPS for one reason: to produce high-quality harps for harpists to play. This is my sole commitment and principle. If you want me to compromise on quality to cut production costs, I will choose to resign.” Then I left his office.
The next day, when I returned to the company, the consultant came to me and simply said I could proceed as I saw fit.
We asked, “And what happened next?” Jakez smiled and replied, “Well, look at us now—over a decade later, both CAMAC HARPS and I are still here, while that consultant has long since left the company and I have no idea where he went.”
＜The initial commitment to principles has become the guiding standard for the development of the CAMAC HARPS team.＞
After that meeting, we established the principles and requirements for the company’s development. The one thing I strictly demand from the team is the quality of the harps! The production team must be meticulous in the manufacturing process and details, the quality control personnel need to ensure that the harps leaving our facility are of consistent quality, and our sales team must only sell high-quality instruments. I am very grateful that all our partners in the CAMAC team share this commitment and work diligently together in production.
This principle also profoundly influences our plans to expand partnerships worldwide. A high-quality harp requires a certain level of harp knowledge and understanding to fully realize its quality and to maximize the value of the investment for harpists. At our CAMAC showroom in Paris, the staff possesses a significant understanding of both harps and music. Many customers may be beginners or parents accompanying their children in selecting a harp, and they may not be familiar with the knowledge needed for choosing and caring for a harp. In this context, the staff plays a crucial role—not only introducing the instruments but also ensuring that customers understand the nature, use, and care of each harp right from the start, providing the most professional service.
Similarly, when we select partners from various countries, we adhere to these expectations and requirements. Before formally establishing a partnership, we engage in extensive discussions about each other’s philosophies, goals, backgrounds, and more. This way, we can truly build a professional and long-term collaborative relationship. While this may result in a slower pace of development for our global partnerships, each step and every collaboration is stable and based on mutual trust. Together, we promote the harp and ensure that friends choosing CAMAC harps receive the most reassuring and comprehensive service.
(Photo/ During the factory tour, Jakez provides a detailed explanation of the harp-making process.)
＜I admire Sebastien Erard’s research and development, and look forward to my own contribution to the development of the harp＞
The aspect I am most passionate about and dedicate the most time to in the company is sparking creativity with my R&D team! I remember mentioning during the factory tour that in the early 19th century, Sebastien Erard invented a crucial linkage mechanism that significantly advanced the history of the harp, transforming the single-action pedal harp into the double-action pedal harp. This innovation greatly expanded musical possibilities and allowed harpists to unleash their creativity. Just one invention rewritten the history of harp development while benefiting countless musicians, continuing to do so even today. I find this incredibly admirable and inspiring; this story has been my greatest motivation throughout my years in harp-making, and it’s something I will always persist in doing.
Since taking over CAMAC, I’ve been on countless trips around the world each year, with a schedule that is always packed. However, this has allowed me to meet many different harpists. Initially, whenever I thought I had already met all the key figures in the harp community, I would encounter even more harpists during my next trip. Each has unique stories, experiences, backgrounds, and musical passions, and I have discovered an increasing wealth of creativity and ideas. Behind all these ideas lies a genuine desire to improve the harp. So, whenever I come across a promising idea and my R&D team assesses it as truly feasible, we are always eager to try producing and modifying it. This has been an unexpected reward for me, enabling me to maintain an open and excited mindset for every journey I embark on.
(Photo/ Jakez uses this transparent assembly to introduce the key linkage component invented by Sebastien Erard.)
The content above reflects stories we heard during casual conversations over lunch and dinner during those days. It was only before we left the factory that we sought Jakez's permission to share some of the interesting stories we had encountered, which led to the creation of this afterword.
Throughout this journey, I gained not only knowledge and understanding of CAMAC harp-making and related concepts but also witnessed the rigor and dedication of the CAMAC team. More importantly, I learned about Executive Director Jakez's steadfast commitment to his original intentions, as well as the principles and attitudes behind everything he does. This has greatly inspired me and filled me with admiration.
In life, we have countless options and opportunities, making it crucial to reflect on our underlying motivations. It's about why we choose to do what we do and what we truly want. This understanding serves as the foundation for all our actions. By choosing to approach life with an open heart, we can experience everything around us and accumulate deeper and broader wisdom.
(Photo/ A commemorative photo of Chiu Meng-Lu, Director of the Taiwan Harp Center, with Jakez Francois, Executive Director of CAMAC Harps, taken during the first visit to the CAMAC harp factory in France.)
(Photo/ The Taiwan Harp Center delegation at the French CAMAC Harps factory, posing for a group photo with Executive Director Jakez Francois.)
Executive Director & Harpist of CAMAC HARPS, France
Jakez Francois
Hailing from a musical family in Brittany, France, Jakez is a harp maker and jazz harpist, as well as the Executive Director of CAMAC Harps. Jakez's introduction to the harp came through his father’s musical collaborator, the renowned harpist Alan Stivell, also from Brittany. Alan frequently performed with Jakez's father, and through these interactions, he introduced Jakez to the lever harp, sparking his journey with the instrument.
Transitioning from the lever harp to the pedal harp, Jakez continued his education in classical music, achieving significant development and accomplishments on the pedal harp. However, in addition to his studies and research in classical music, Jakez has a special fondness for the lever harp, choosing to continue playing it. He engages in performance, teaching, composition, and competitions, earning numerous accolades, including the prestigious World Lever Harp Trophy at the World Harp Competition for his playing, composing, and improvisation. One notable honor is the "Commande d’État," an award presented by the French government for a solo harp work composed specifically for Jakez.
Moreover, Jakez established a personal jazz trio featuring electric harp, bass, and drums, which has toured extensively worldwide. They are often invited as guest artists to various global harp events, performing in cities that host these activities.
As both a professional harpist and businessman, Jakez has had a long-standing connection with CAMAC Harps, beginning approximately 25 years ago. At the invitation of CAMAC’s founder, Joël Garnier, Jakez became a partner in the company and learned comprehensively about production, testing, and marketing in the factory, preparing to take on the role of Joël’s successor. Following Joël's passing in 2000, Jakez was appointed as the Executive Director. In the decade that followed, he continued Joël's spirit of relentless pursuit of excellence, leading CAMAC Harps to even greater heights: innovating and reforming the production of each harp while actively seeking partnerships to expand CAMAC’s global presence beyond Western Europe, North America, Asia, and Eastern Europe.
Perhaps the greatest praise one can give to a harp maker and company is that "they truly care about the harp, harpists, and harp music!" CAMAC is well-known for its continuous research and innovation in harp-making, demonstrating a willingness to listen to harpists' voices and suggestions, integrating feasible ideas into their harp designs. Additionally, Jakez continually supports numerous international harp festivals and competitions worldwide, helping and investing in contemporary composers creating harp music, as well as assisting harpists with their personal performance projects. His generosity has earned him the esteemed title of "a true friend to harpists around the world."
(Photo: http://harpist.typepad.com/)
