Moss Harp Service

Moss Harp Service

This year in March I had my Lyon & Healy regulated by Steve from Moss Harp Service. It was great to know he is certified by Lyon and Healy, and he did a terrific job! We dropped the harp off with him at a hotel in Seattle. He comes once a year to the Seattle area and you can make regulation appointments through Susi Hussong for his visit.

I brought a set of bass wire strings and for an extra fee he put the set on for me during the regulation. I must say my harp sounds like it is brand new and I am very happy with his job with the regulation! His website is also a great resource for harp care tips and FAQs.

Classical Harpist turned Nashville

When Natalie was a senior studying harp at Indiana University, she developed terrible tendinitis from over practicing. Because of that diagnosis, she switched from classical harp to a wider genre. Here is her video premiere from her album released earlier this year, and an article about her.

Video Premiere: Natalie Lurie

Harp Column News

Among other things like directories and articles, the Harp Column publishes "harp news" on this page! Click to browse about harp events around the country, album release dates, competitions, auditions and new harp styles.

Harp Column News

American Idol Harp-Sighting

The Harp Column shared this clip of an American Idol contestant bringing the harp onto the stage! Now that's something I've never seen before!

American Idol Harp Sighting

Benefits of Playing Music to Children at Bedtime

Mormon Tabernacle Choir Blog Post

including pain reduction, improved sleep quality and boosting brain development 

Lady and Harp

Lady and Harp Extraordinary Art Nouveau design with rich gold accents and Mucha-style woman playing a harp. Published by M. Munk, Vienna.

 

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/5182851_ladyandharp-extraordinaryartnouveaud

AHS National Conference

Students are invited to perform at the American Harp Society National Conference this year held in Atlanta Georgia. See the details of the application and commitment here:

http://ahsconference.org/youth/honors-ensemble/

Camac Lever Harp for Sale

Arts in the Schools

This is an interesting article addressing the importance of music in the school system, the benefits of music education and it's relationship with success in other areas, as well as the role of politics & legislation in encouraging the arts... with lots of statistics and quotes to enjoy...

Music Empowers Foundation: Why Music

Formal Family Recital

I had so much fun watching my piano students and harp student perform at our recital! It was so rewarding to see all their hard work pay off. Each played a duet and/or a solo.

I was especially pleased to see their ensemble skills grow with the duets.

Big thank you to Elizabeth Brant who took these beautiful photos, and to Ben and Rachel who hosted the recital in their home. This was definitely the highlight of my year of teaching music!

PC: Elizabeth Brant Photography - www.elizabethbrantphotography.com

PC: Elizabeth Brant Photography - www.elizabethbrantphotography.com

PC: Elizabeth Brant Photography - www.elizabethbrantphotography.com

PC: Elizabeth Brant Photography - www.elizabethbrantphotography.com

PC: Elizabeth Brant Photography - www.elizabethbrantphotography.com

PC: Elizabeth Brant Photography - www.elizabethbrantphotography.com

PC: Elizabeth Brant Photography - www.elizabethbrantphotography.com

PC: Elizabeth Brant Photography - www.elizabethbrantphotography.com

PC: Elizabeth Brant Photography - www.elizabethbrantphotography.com

Don't Fear the Reaper

Blue Oyster Cult

These twins have done a ton of different harp covers for famous rock songs and movie themes. Pretty neat!

Shout out to Mr. Dickerson on this one!

Crimson Harps Concert in Beaverton, OR

Drew & Elizabeth's Wedding

Congrats to Drew and Elizabeth on their beautiful wedding! Sean and I had such a blast being a part of their special day! My husband Sean was an honorary groomsmen along with Drew's brothers.

The ambiance at the reception was magical, I've never seen such perfectly executed decoration and lighting. Thank you for letting us be a part of it! 

the groom, the brothers and Sean
photo credit: Erika Hathaway Photography - erikahathawayphotography.blogspot.com

coming out of the Spokane Temple!
photo credit: Erika Hathaway Photography - erikahathawayphotography.blogspot.com

photo credit: Erika Hathaway Photography - erikahathawayphotography.blogspot.com

my handsome husband
photo credit: Erika Hathaway Photography - erikahathawayphotography.blogspot.com

the beautiful couple
photo credit: Erika Hathaway Photography - erikahathawayphotography.blogspot.com

photo credit: Erika Hathaway Photography - erikahathawayphotography.blogspot.com

photo credit: Erika Hathaway Photography - erikahathawayphotography.blogspot.com

The Fountain by Marcel L. Grandjany

This gives me the chills!

The Rewards of Teaching Music

Today I was thinking about how blessed I am to teach music to young people. My students are preparing for a studio recital coming up in April, and each is preparing a duet and/or solo to perform. As we get closer, each student has been working on their piece for at least a month and it is SO NEAT to see their practicing pay off!

I have loved watching each student work hard to master something that is above their current ability to play, taking it measure by measure to learn the notes and rhythms, and then to perfect it by adding the dynamics and phrasing to take it to the next level. I especially find the duets to be so rewarding and fun!

Today was a great day in my life of music teaching! I am blessed!

Tacoma Youth Symphony

I had a blast participating in the Tacoma Youth Symphony Young Artists group when I was in high school. We played Carmen by Bizet and it was a significant growing experience for me! I especially loved attending the retreat. Orchestral music is one of my favorites to participate in as a harpist.

Check out their website to find upcoming concerts, auditions and more information!

tysamusic.org

Playing in Lamb of God

This past weekend I had the opportunity to play with a group of volunteers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints who put on a modern oratorio called Lamb of God. This was a special opportunity for me to enjoy playing with a full orchestra, 80 voice choir and soloists in an Easter celebration.

I absolutely loved listening to the recording and marking up my score, writing in pedal changes and cues to prepare. Learning and listening to this music has brought a lot of hope and a better understanding of Jesus' life, death and resurrection. I love the depth that music brings to these emotional moments. I love the sound of the full choir and several times during the performance had chills as I felt their voices and testimonies.

This is my favorite quote from the finale:

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril or sword? Nay. In all these things, we are more than conquerers, through Him that loved us."

Our next performance is this Sunday, March 20th at the Lakewood Stake Center: 10018 Farwest Drive Southwest, Lakewood.

Identical twin harpists

What a unique duo! These two have definitely taken harp and done some fun things with it.

Twin Harpists to Play at St. Johns

Electroacoustic Harp!

I love what she does with her instrument! Very cool.

Lamb of God

This Easter production is coming up - mark your calendar!

I am thrilled to be involved in this for the first time ever. I get to play the harp with the orchestra!

This work is a modern oratorio depicting the final days of the life of Jesus Christ, his Atonement and Resurrection.

Lamb of God by Rob Gardner

Both concerts are free, open to the public, and the doors open for seating at 6:15. There are no ticket sales or assigned seating.

Vanderbilt Music Company

When I first started on the harp I quickly learned that generic, local music stores like Ted Brown don't carry harp music. Pretty much every piece in my repertoire was ordered from Vanderbilt, as well as all my harp strings and other supplies. This company specializes in the harp and their website is a great resource! They are reliable experts you can count on.

The physical store is located in Indiana, near the Indiana University Bloomington School of Music.

Email: orders@vanderbiltmusic.com

Phone: 1-812-333-5255

Website: vanderbiltmusic.com

Emily & Ogden

Check it out! I love the quality of her voice! She is playing on a beautiful small lever harp named "Ogden" how cute! This was a great find!

Emily & Ogden

"Fireflies" Owl City Harp Cover

I love this! Such a fun song ... it sounds beautiful on the harp!

Benefits of Music Education

PBS Article: The Benefits of Music Education

I love this quote from the article: “The benefit of music education for me is about being musical. It gives you have a better understanding of yourself. The horizons are higher when you are involved in music... Your understanding of art and the world, and how you can think and express yourself, are enhanced.”

I started piano lessons when I was in 2nd grade and immediately loved it. I would come home from school and go straight to the piano. I cannot imagine my world without music! And I am so grateful for my parents for giving me the gift of music when I was young.

The Enchanted Harp

This delightful little shop in Puyallup, Washington is a wonderful resource for music, rentals, strings and anything else for the harp community. This is where I first rented my very own lever harp when I was 12 years old. Managed by Laura Hodges and owned by her brother, it is a local family-owned business that deserves our support!

The Enchanted Harp

Providing the Soundtrack to Life's Last Moments

One of the intriguing applications of harp music is music-thanatology - prescriptive music meant to soothe and calm, providing relief from pain and distress. I have worked as a hospice nurse and seen the benefit of this wonderful therapy. The therapist will track the patient's heart and breathing rates, using their body as a cue for their music, and measure the soothing effects of the music at the end of the session. Read more here:

New York Times Article on Music-Thanatology at End of Life

Instrument: Harp

Check out this little introduction to the harp! by Ruth Holden, the principal harpist for the Philharmonia Orchestra.

The Harp BBC Documentary

This is a fascinating documentary about the history of the harp from ancient to modern times!

South Sound Strings Harp Ensemble

University of Puget Sound is now accepting registration for their spring harp ensemble, through their community music department!

This ensemble was a favorite of mine to participate in when I was a youth. I learned a lot from this experience and would recommend any harpist of any level to participate!

My former teacher Patricia Wooster is the director.

Rehearsal & Concert Schedule!

Saturday Feb 20 2:30 – 5 pm 

Saturday March 5 2:30 – 5 pm  

Saturday March 19 2:30 – 5 pm 

Saturday April 2 2:30 – 5 pm 

Saturday April 16 2:30 – 5 pm

Saturday  May 7 2:30 – 5 pm

Concert May 21 3:00 pm* (load in 12 noon Schneebeck)

Facebook page: SSS Harp Ensemble

UPS Community Music page: Community Music

Registration Form: Harp Ensemble Registration