FRIDAY OCTOBER 4 - SECRETS OF THE STARS SUPER SHOW

This show starts your weekend with a bang!  Meet your presenters to get a feel for their teaching styles.  Each presenter will perform one piece and teach a gem on learning, practice, or memorization.  You can even go to the ticket exchange board to pick new  tickets after you discover the presenters you most resonate with! 

All levels.  Companions welcome.   For “Friday Extra Retreat Day” participants only. 

Southeastern Harp Weekend

Weekend Workshops

Art of the Arpeggio

Sunita’s “Art of the Arpeggio” workshops are so popular, applicable, and fun that we have asked her to do a new one this year.  This one is about creating control, timing and phrasing, flowing in different directions and using arpeggios in ways you never dreamed before.

You’ll learn to flow back and forth between two arpeggios as an interlude or a transition into another piece.  And you’ll get templates for how to use arpeggios to lay a blanket of soothing sounds for therapy, in healing services, and in churches.

Sunita will show you different “voicings” and fingerings for arpeggios so that they create waves of sound and don’t sound like an arpeggio warm-up.  You’ll never play arpeggios the same way again! Bring Harp.  Intermediate.

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Fantastic Fingering

The best fingering and placement can solve an awkward passage, help you phrase a tune more musically and give you more control.  But what are the rules for fingering and when should you bend these rules? When should we “cross over” and when should we raise our hands off the strings?

In this workshop Sunita will start with the basics to build secure muscle memory and then move to different fingerings to build speed and keep the hand supple. Fingerings are adjusted to your comfort, your level and the style of music. 

We will work with printed handouts, but Sunita invites class participants to email their tricky passages ahead of time so she can use them as examples also. This workshops is hands-on.  For those with at least rudimentatry music reading, and comfort with using both hands. Bring harp.  Beginner to intermediate.

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The Psalms of David

The Psalms have been perhaps the most influential book of the Bible and have inspired countless hearts for two thousand years. The harp and the music of the harp are directly connected to the psalms. 

Sunita will give an overview of the history of the Psalms and how they play an important role in the Jewish tradition.  You will learn to play two gorgeous melodies; one from a Christian hymnal and another from the Jewish tradition. 

Psalms can be played in churches, synagogues, for healing services and in hospitals.  Bring harp.  Experienced beginner to advanced.  Companions welcome.

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The Art of Practicing 

This is probably THE most important topic for all of us.  Nobody learns as well as he or she could.  And sometimes we don’t have much time to practice.  Sunita will teach you a step-by-step approach to learn faster, learn without mistakes, and enjoy the process immensely! 

In this course, Sunita will show you why just repetition is not necessarily good practice (and she’ll teach you about SMART repetition).  And you’ll find out that you don’t have to spend hours at the harp; you just have to know what to DO with your time.  There are secrets to letting your brain integrate musically and getting muscle memory to be automatic and effortless. 

The class will work on actual music and practice it together, learning how to hone in on the difficult parts and build control.  Learning to play the harp should be an enjoyable journey.  Sunita is your tour guide to teach you the art. 

Bring harp.  All levels.

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Playing with Fire

How would you like to add beauty and excitement to your playing without adding more notes?

Explore dynamics!  This is the magical dimension that gives your music passion and flair.  Dynamics allow you to create breathtaking moments in your listeners’ experience.  In this workshop, Sunita will give examples of the amazing range of dynamics achievable on the harp, and help you create a palette of colors and volume that you control.  Learn how to build and shape your musical phrases!

Sunita will teach you how to not get too fast or tense when playing loudly and how to control the volume of individual fingers.  After this class you’ll be much more “into” dynamics, and can leave that clunky sound behind! 

Bring harp.  All levels.

Musical Sandwiches & Cookie Cutters:  For emerging harpers

People love Musical Sandwiches so much that we’re going to have Kim teach it in two versions, so you can take the one that matches your skill level. This one for beginners and early intermediates is an introduction to one and two- hand patterns that are fun & easy to play. But you’ll be the great illusionist, because the tricks make you appear advanced. (“Sounds hard but is easy” is a great mantra for any harpist.)

This bag of goodies is gentle on the hands and the brain. Kim's "Musical Sandwiches" are a fun way to create a kaleidoscope of sound, and there's no pressure to know whether it's a suspended 6th or a dominant 7th, or if the notes 'belong' in the chord or not. Musical sandwiches allow you to get away from the mind and play by ear, creating your own beautiful patterns. Bring harp. Basic 2-hand skills are all you need for this class. Beginner/ Intermediate.

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Musical Sandwiches & Cookie Cutters:  For the seasoned palette

As we said earlier, this is one of the coolest concepts Kim teaches. But instead of slowing down the class to try to make it work for all levels, we asked Kim to do one this one for intermediate-and-up folks.

Kim will lead you through "sandwich-etudes" that vary in tempo from misty swirly elegant sounds to rhythmically energetic motifs. You can use these patterns in arranging tunes, for intros or interludes, and they are ideal for improvising. Some of them sound ornate and intricate, while others sound more primal or ethnic in rhythm, with built-in syncopation, using only one or two fingers. Sound appetizing? Bring harp. Intermediates to Advanced.

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International Lullabies

Lullabies are found all over the world, a universal expression of love from a parent to the child, meant to bring comfort and peace. Kim will teach you some lovely Russian, Chinese, Czech, Basque & Breton melodies in various modes, and explore some simple but effective accompaniment patterns. The secret is to create a soothing pulse in the music and let the resonance of the harp sing through. What a great addition to your repertoire! Bring harp. Intermediate.

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Contemplative Christmas

Many of the Old World Christmas carols are beautiful traditional folk tunes, plain chants or melodies of pagan origin, later adapted for Christmas. In this class, Kim will teach you some lesser-known international carols.

You’ll learn how to add simple left hand patterns to create arrangements that can be played all year long. Kim has a great way of teaching classes like this; last year she taught one on Slow Aires and people absolutely loved it. This one will free you to branch out beyond the Christmas standards and create an evocative atmosphere that speaks through time. Bring Harp.  Experienced Beginner to Intermediate.

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Beautiful Beginners

As you learn to play the harp, you can simultaneously learn to become a musician. In this gently paced workshop you’ll discover the essentials of how to play expressively even as a beginner. Exercises will include effective warm ups and shortcuts for coordinating the two hands.

Kim will share easy ways to make the sound flow from delicate to full, and to make even the simplest music “breathe.” Using a slow Irish air as a sample tune, you will learn building blocks for creating a simple but lovely arrangement. It's never too soon to make beautiful music on your harp!

You don’t have to be able to read music but a lead sheet will be given for reference. The “beginner-beginners” can try the techniques with just one hand or even one finger, while simultaneously, the other participants will do “normal beginner” learning. (Kim said to call it “Tadpoles-to-Minnows Level”)

Bring harp. Beginners

sarajane williams

Memorization Made Fast & Easy - Leave That Page Behind! 

There’s no such thing as a “memorization gene” that only a lucky few are born with!  In this workshop, Dee will introduce the NLP Thinking Model and those ways the brain likes to process information.  She will then apply the principles to memorizing and retaining music.  You will take away powerful steps that allow you to memorize, and for those of you who already memorize, you can do it more quickly.  She will also help you grasp how to keep your pieces fresh and available for use.  

The more you play at this skill, the easier and faster you are able to leave the page behind.  And an added bonus is that you’ll find you will be able to learn new music more quickly – and memorize it at the same time!   

No harp needed.  All levels.

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Introduction to Therapeutic Music

What Is It?  Who Does It?  Is It For You?

The harp itself has a therapeutic sound, but when you purposefully combine the elements of music in specific ways, a new world opens.  Calm the spirit, relax muscle tension, reduce pain and help stabilize body rhythms in your listener(s).  It’s incredibly rewarding for you as well.  

In this workshop Dee will share the elements of therapeutic music and how it differs from performance music. Learn about training programs and the National Standards Board for Therapeutic Musicians.  You’ll also get a quick look at research results and applications. Lastly, hear a demonstration and have time to ask your questions!  All levels.  No harp needed.

Companions welcome.

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Fun for Beginners

You’re excited – you just got a harp.  And you’re at your first harp conference.  Yikes!  You want to make beautiful sounds, but you’re wondering how to get started.   The good news is you can have fun AND create pleasing music with your harp NOW - no need to wait until you’ve learned correct technique, theory and sight reading.  

Dee will take you on a tour of your harp – and talk about what to do with your fingers.  You’ll learn a couple of simple patterns, and then discover how to play with them to make them musical.  Next we’ll pick out the melody line to a familiar tune or two.  And Dee will talk about how to enjoy the weekend and stay out of overwhelm.  A super start for the weekend if you are a true beginner!  Companions can come watch or participate of you have a harp.  Beginners.  Bring harp.

saturday and sunday:

sunita staneslow

sharon thormahlen

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“Southeastern Harp Weekend is an event I look forward to every year!  There is something for everyone.”

Syncopation Made Easy  

Do you love hearing cool arrangements of Irish music with high spirited syncopation in the bass?  Without training, they can be elusive, no matter how much you want to do them.  AnnaLee to the rescue! In this class she’ll help you “get” syncopation. It’s liberating and just plain FUN. 

AnnaLee will use a section of an Irish tune and exercises to integrate the feeling of syncopation into your hands.  (The focus is not to learn the tune, but the entire Irish tune will be given as sheet music to take home.)  You’ll have exercises to enjoy at home, and eventually that lilt of syncopation will be so natural that you can use it in any type of music, even slow tunes and hymns. Bring a recording device to refer to the pulse of syncopation at home.

Bring harp.  Experienced beginners to intermediate, or anyone who needs help learning syncopation.

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Beyond the Notes

How would you like to make your playing more evocative for your listeners?  How would you like to avoid getting bored with a tune?

In this fascinating workshop, AnnaLee will show you how to make tunes come alive by about discovering the inner story of the song.  Then you express that thru music!  It’s about moving people, even when you play just one note.

If there is a historic account behind the tune, AnnaLee will show you how to research it.  If there is not, she’ll show you how to make up your own story.  Your tune can be, in your mind, about saying farewell, or floating downstream in an inner tube, or Shinto temples thick with wafting incense, or anything your heart desires!  This works whether you are an advanced player or a beginner.  It’s essential for improvising musicians.

Convey the musicality in your playing and go beyond the notes.  Once you do, you’ll feel confident in expressing yourself. You’ll have more fun and never get bored again!  A bonus is that you’ll have anecdotes to share with your listeners before playing. Bring Harp.  All levels.

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Easy Irish Music for Beginners

and Intermediate

Irish music is beloved by most everyone, and is the origin of much repertoire for the folk harp.  AnnaLee is the perfect teacher to get you on the path to falling in love with Irish tunes!  You’ll learn a simple tune in the class, focusing on the enjoyment instead of perfection, and learn how to continue at home until it’s performance-polished.   Bring Harp. Beginners to Intermediate.  

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Irish Ornamentation, Cuts and Runs

This is a skill-focus workshop.  Ornamentation adds a sparkle to your tunes, and can be used in all genres of music.  So come to AnnaLee’s workshop to get hands-on tutoring doing cuts and runs.

Runs are three or more notes leading into the melody note.  Often people don’t do them precisely enough, or they get the rhythms wrong.  They can also overdo the subtlety and overwhelm the melody.  You’ll learn how to avoid these pitfalls. 

Cuts evoke a different tonal flavor.  And they can make your fingerings vastly easier.  Vary a piece with both these ornamentations.  You’ll learn how to take the clunky sound out of a cut, and make your music more fluid. 

Leave with the freedom to insert ornamentation in tunes you already know, to play Irish music more authentically, and to make other types of music sparkle. Bring harp.  Intermediate.

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Fun in an Irish Session

A “session” is community-building, friendly and full of joy. It welcomes players of all levels and musicians with any instrument.  You may play the tunes in full, play one note harmonies, or even sit back and listen.

Sessions are about listening and working together. They are bonding through music, and just plain merry. 

AnnaLee will send out a couple of melodies ahead of the conference to get you ready to participate in the party.  If you don’t have courage to play, be our cheerleader!  Singing encouraged.  Primer on session etiquette too.  Hands on, handouts given.  Bring harp or other instrument.  All levels.  Companions welcome to participate with an instrument, or to be the audience.

Levers and More

In this workshop with harp maker Dave Thormahlen, you will learn about the different types of levers and how to adjust them so that your harp plays in tune no matter what key you're in. If there's time, Dave can also address simple repairs that most people can do at home. No harp needed, but bring yours if you want to know about specific repairs. All levels, Companions invited.

HARP REGULATION!  Dave will be available to regulate harps throughout the weekend. Come to the Thormahlen Harps booth to set this up with him!

dave thormahlen

Comfort Chords

Sharon Thormahlen has created a shimmering many-faceted workshop for those of you who are new to chord inversions. Learning about inversions liberates you to get different “voices” and feelings from any three-note chord. 

You will experience shaping your hand and placing your fingers on the strings in the root, 1st inversion and 2nd inversion of each chord. If you already know how to do this, no worries, you will learn something anyway.

Sharon will have you using a chord pattern with the 1-4-5 chords and discuss how these 3 chords relate to the “Circle of Fifths.”  You will discover how easy it is to memorize each inversion and see it. Then you’ll take that knowledge to minor chords.  After this workshop, the harp will make more sense, as a new world of understanding opens for you! Bring Harp. Exp. beginners to Intermediate.

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The Metronome: My New Best Friend

Did you know they were using a metronome back in the 9th century?  If it was worthwhile to them, perhaps it is worthwhile for you too!  All of the top harp performers today use a metronome in practice, and consider it a best friend.  

The metronome provides the perfect teacher of rhythm, a teacher who never lets you get away with anything! Using a metronome also helps you get up to speed on the tunes you play.  It will even help you improve the control of your musicianship when you later do creative fluctuations in timing to evoke different feelings. 

In this class Sharon will take you step by step to attune your ear to using a metronome and to help mold your playing into a smoother style.   She will additionally share tricks to make the metronome fun!  You don't need to own one for the class. 

Bring harp. All levels. Comfort Chords

Sharon Thormahlen has created a shimmering many-faceted workshop for those of you who are new to chord inversions. Learning about inversions liberates you to get different “voices” and feelings from any three-note chord. 

You will experience shaping your hand and placing your fingers on the strings in the root, 1st inversion and 2nd inversion of each chord. If you already know how to do this, no worries, you will learn something anyway.

Sharon will have you use a chord pattern with the 1-4-5 chords and discuss how these 3 chords relate to the “Circle of Fifths.”  You will discover how easy it is to memorize each inversion and “see it.”  Then you’ll take the same knowledge to minor chords.  After this workshop, the harp will make so much more sense, as a new world of understanding opens for you! 

Experienced beginners to intermediate.

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kim robertson

maeve gilchrist

Designs in Rhythm 

Strengthening your rhythmic core. 

This is one of Maeve's favorite workshops to teach!  Guaranteed – it will be unlike any rhythm class you have ever attended. This workshop will focus on your understanding and feeling of time and will be hugely beneficial to any player regardless of genre or level.  We asked her to teach it twice so more people can take it!

Maeve will have you immersed in on-beats, off-beats, and syncopation.  Then you’ll be weaving this in with hand independence. Through ostinato exercises you will get cool designs of poly-rhythms that can really wake up your listeners! This is a workshop for all levels (except very new beginners, although you are invited to listen and absorb). Come participate and send your musicality through the roof!  

Bring harp. Experienced beg. to advanced.

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Uptempo Dance Tunes

This workshop is geared towards the advanced player who wants to learn fluidity and speed when handling uptempo jigs and reels.  It's easy to fall behind when playing dance melodies with fiddler and pipers, but it IS possible to play lightly and fast, and this class will give you the clear steps.

A solid technique is necessary to play with speed, flow and lightness.  In this class you’ll look at various kinds of tunes, isolating the problem spots and introducing techniques to break down and smooth out these sections. It's not just about playing fast, it's about maintaining feel and buoyancy WHILE playing fast. Keeping the wrist light and relaxed and staying calm and focused will help you move with the melody and allow the notes to flow. 

Bring harp.  Advanced.

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Tuning Up the Tune

Liberating yourself from the expected.

Ever wanted to make a traditional tune sound more like something of your own?  This class will show you how to take traditional folk melodies and give them your unique stamp. You’ll look at some traditional fiddle tunes and break them down to focus on grace notes, variations and small improvisations within the harmonic form. 

You can retain the essence of the tune while creating something that rings true to your personal brand, and you can make it harp-friendly!  Variation and improvisation is how folk music is kept alive from generation to generation, morphing and shifting in the hands of different musicians. Most importantly, it keeps these tunes FUN and alive! 

Bring Harp.  Intermediate to Advanced.

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Scottish Music for Intermediates 

In this workshop, Maeve goes back to her traditional roots. She will teach a tune to the class and use it as a vehicle to go deeper into phrasing, ornamentations and accompaniment.  

You’ll look at the other traditional instruments used in Scottish music and think about how you can use the harp to emulate as well as compliment the sounds of those instruments. This music has a lot of soul and history and the phrasing is of the upmost importance in getting the emotion of the music across. 

Bring Harp.  Intermediate.

virginia schweninger

jan jennings

Exploring Popular Music

Play What They Know!

Have you ever wished you could take requests from the audience?  There's a good chance the audience would ask for a tune they would recognize. And if you can play what people know – even a simple rendition – they will love you! 

In this class, Jan will help you select the most popular requests to add to your repertoire and give you tips for getting to know your audience.  Bring your own repertoire list if you want a quick analysis of what you might need to add (or delete!) 

Experienced Beginners to Intermediate.

“I thought all of Jan’s classes were awesome. I put her notes in my practice notebook.”

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Business of Music 

The busiest musicians are not necessarily the best players--they're the best at marketing!  In this class you'll learn how to promote yourself, prepare contracts, set prices, write a press release, and avoid the pitfalls of making a living at music. Learn to do business like the polished professional you should be! 

No Harp Needed.  All levels.

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The “Informance”

Want to go beyond just a “performance”?  Wouldn’t it be fun to do an “informance” and not only play for the audience, but share the information that they all seem to want to know? 

In this class you will learn how to decide what to explain, select repertoire that will illustrate your points, how much to talk and play, and still keep your audience spellbound!  You’ll learn how to entertain your audience whether it is a school group, retirement center, or the local garden club, and polish your stage presence in the process.  No Harp Needed.  All levels.

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Chord Recognition

Learn how to identify chords without being overwhelmed by all the notes.  Jan has a very logical way of teaching how to recognize intervals so that you only need to look at one note to "get" quickly what the chord is.  Once you understand this you will wonder why nobody ever told you before!  You will learn how to recognize the triads for each degree of the scale, as well as seventh, dominant, augmented, and diminished chords.  

A discussion of the inversions and relative minor keys is included.  People with advanced theory knowledge will not need this class.  Bring harp.  Beginners and Intermediates, or players who may be advanced technically but need help with theory.

“I came away from Jan’s class with some new ways of thinking about chords and her good handouts.  Theory classes are usually painful for me but I really enjoyed her class.” – 2010

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Conquering Harmonics

Can you consistently find that "sweet spot" for harmonics, or do you end up with embarrassing "duds" instead of that sparkling bell-like tone?  Harmonics are fun and add so much to your music -- don't avoid them; conquer them!  In this workshop you will learn, and try, some tips for increasing your success rate with harmonics.  With these specifics, you can go home and have the correct knowledge you need to practice until they are perfectly gorgeous!  Bring harp.  Experienced Beginners to Intermediate, or anyone who doesn’t do great harmonics.

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Technique Tune-up

and Injury Prevention

There is absolutely nothing more important than good technique for making your playing fun and allowing you to progress quickly with ease.  Even just improving a few small things about your technique can open up an entirely new world.  ("I can do that passage now!")  ("I don't sound clunky anymore!") 

With Jan's background in the Grandjany (or "French") method she emphasizes how to avoid injury while getting the most beautiful tone.  She gives imagery that helps you -- or your students -- remember proper hand position.   You will see why particular books help you with rhythm, directional placing, and dexterity while helping you build at a natural pace.  Bring harp.  All levels; Beginners to Teachers.  

dee sweeney

mike williams

Writing Melodies

If you’re a composer – or if you’ve never dared – these sessions will give you a surprising new “craft toolbox” of techniques that you can use to write compelling melodies.  You’ll gain new perspective from guitarist/songwriter Mike Williams, who will help you open up the world of writing outstanding, beautiful melodies for harp, or for voice. 

You will discover how your melody creates a groove in your listeners’ minds with intervals called “runs” and “jumps.”  You’ll learn Long/Short Phrasing, Off-beat/On-beat melody lines, and Repetition Motifs, with ways to vary them.  Then learn why to delay your highest note until the third line of the melody - and when to break this rule. 

Mike will show you how to perk up your listener with melodic tension-and-release, how to reinvigorate your melody with a “bridge,” to weave one melody over and through another, and how to grab your listener’s attention with a “Delightful Surprise.”

You’ll even jump-start your creativity by turning phone numbers into melodies.  (Beginners love that part!)  Last year a seasoned professional composer/performer exclaimed that her eyes were opened in this truly “all levels” class.

Last year's Melody Writing workshop was so enthusiastically received that we have asked Mike to teach two Melody workshops this year.  The workshop last fall showed that it’s hard to give true justice to all those gems with a single session.  Harpers can integrate the info better, and get more of the tools if we divide the content into two sessions.  

In Session One Mike will teach a set of tools, and in Session Two he’ll teach another set.  Each method in his melody-writing toolbox is useful by itself, so students can take either workshop as a stand-alone.  AND... coming to both workshops will give you a huge array of tricks! Mike is a charismatic and lovable presenter; you’ll leave smiling and inspired. 

Harp optional. All levels, Beginner to Professional. Companions welcome.

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Finishing Touches

Perfecting YOUR Melody

If you attended Mike’s Melody Writing workshop, here is an opportunity to dive deep into improving a melody that you’re writing.  You’ll get Mike’s one-on-one help to open up your melody toolbox and sculpt your song.  In this limited class (4 students) of note-by-note discovery, you’ll gain a firmer grasp of melody-writing techniques that you can use to improve every tune you write. 

Expect “aha” moments! Professional performers, if you didn’t come to the first class, bring one of those pieces that needs that last 10% of WOW.  For the rest of us, please only come if you attended at least one of Mike’s Melody Writing workshops.  Don’t worry about flawless playing or polished melodies.  This is a roll-up-your-sleeves class for getting specific, practical help from a pro.  Must bring harp.  Intermediates to professional recording artists.

nicolas carter

Kathy Bundock Moore

Ear Magic

How would you like to be able to hear a melody, then sit at the harp and immediately play it with accuracy?  In your Ear Magic workshop, Kathy Bundock Moore entices you with tools to recognize the unique aural quality of each note and translate that into your fingers at the harp.

You’ll have exercises to hear “tendency tones” and resolutions, and to get reference points to hear what is the 4th note of the scale or the 6th, for instance.  The group will “sight-sing” exercises and take home other exercises for ear training.  

The feeling of empowerment comes when you hear a melody (or hear it in your head) and notice it comes out of your fingers with total accuracy.  This takes time to learn at home after the workshop, and is exciting while you develop. You’ll take home specific step-by-step tools.

This is an exciting course from a delightful and deeply experienced harp educator.  Bring harp.  Beginning Level Ear Training.

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Instant Harmony

Imagine taking a melody and being able to choose the best harmonies by ear immediately.  Yes, this time you’ll get an ear for the left hand!  This training will help you to hear if a chord does or doesn’t fit, and will extend you to I, IV, and V chords and beyond!  

When you “get it,” you’ll accompany a melody instrument like a flute with accuracy and confidence, instead of poking around for the right sound and messing up.  And you can create your own arrangements or use lead sheets with more poise. Kathy’s infectious zeal complements her impressive education and experience in teaching at the University of Northern Colorado for the last 33 years.  Bring harp.  All levels except for folks just starting the harp.

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Extemporaneous Music

If you would like to do something very meaningful for people, learn to use your “mind’s ear” to take a request and play it with no music.  Dr. Moore does this herself and is here to teach you to do the same thing.  In weddings, funerals, parties, or hospice, you can give a touching moment to a person that asks you to play their favorite song.  

Yes, you can, eventually, throw away the music and play extemporaneous self-created arrangements.  You’ll learn to hear the I, IV, and V chords and how to get to the minors from the majors.  It takes time to learn these ear training skills, but gives you empowerment, confidence,  and joy!  You'll take home step-by-step methods.  Bring harp. All levels except those just starting.

annalee driscoll

The Harp:

A Symphony at Your Fingertips

Your harp is an orchestra – did you know it?  Come to a workshop taught by a symphony conductor, Kate Tamarkin, together with a decades-long harp professional, Virginia Schweninger, to help you discover the possibilities! 

How would you like to draw out the tone quality of, say, a lilting flute in the right hand, along with a flowing left hand passage like a cello?  With new knowledge from Kate and Virginia, you can modify your touch to suit the desired tone and imagery. 

For example, if you are seeking the warm tones of a cello playing an arpeggiated accompaniment, you must sink your fingers deeply into the strings, FEELING your fingertips as you listen to the tone that emerges.  And your placing and fingering will be the key to elegant phrasing.

Your sound will be more enjoyable to create, and to hear, when you think of your harp as an orchestra.  Kate and Virginia will help you bring out the kettle drums, flutes, violin, cello, and more.  Make your music more interesting, romantic, energetic or relaxing than ever before! 

After this workshop, you’ll see the potential for layers and streams of sound that can be produced your instrument.  We invite you to come take the journey to making your harp a symphony!  Harp suggested. Intermediate to Advanced, but Beginners can sit in and absorb by osmosis!

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Playing for Hospice

In this workshop Kate Tamarkin will share the many ways in which playing music can ease the transition process for the hospice patient and his or her caregivers.  Kate will have several stories to share. 

She clarifies what playing at the hospice bedside entails, and will do some demonstrating on her harp.  This workshop is not to teach you how to play at the bedside, but instead to whet your appetite to go out for yourself and seek training.  You’ll find out what kinds of training you need to volunteer at hospice lobby areas or at bedside.

Kate shares:  “Playing at the bedside has changed my life profoundly.  I have found a way for music to be of tremendous service to people in difficult life situations.  I see immediate and tangible results, and have found it to be immensely rewarding and life changing.  It is my hope that people will leave the workshop with more clarity about the entire topic of “death,” and with new interest and openness to the possibilities of using music to ease transition.”  Handouts.  No harp needed.  All levels. 

When Your Hands Have a Mind all Their Own

Your hands have muscle memory from MANY years of, say, knitting, typing, playing french horn, piano, making jewelry, weeding, or even arthritis. Repetitive tasks have become “second nature.” 

So, it’s no wonder you can’t put your hands at the harp and get your thumbs to effortlessly stay up.   Or to get your palms to be soft as butter, or to get your fingers to aim with accuracy.  So you develop pain or only achieve a thin sound, or you may do hunt-and-peck at the strings.  

Virginia says, "Several of my adult students were unable to get past playing open 5ths and simple melodies. An un-natural hand position and desire to move too fast was making it impossible.

“Once they were enlightened about how the hands, wrists and arms are designed to function for ease and comfort, a new hand position made sense. Depending on their level of patience, a change was accomplished relatively quickly.”

Come discover what you've been doing that hasn't worked. Learn how your brain holds onto 7 pieces of info for 30 seconds to create new patterns.  Learn to be aware of the tilt of your head, your breathing, shoulders, feet, and face.  Go home with handouts and clear ideas to change your harping forever!   Bring harp. All levels.

kate tamarkin