Though I was trained in classical music when I took up the harp at age 8, traditional music (particularly that of Scotland and Ireland) has always been my favourite. There is a certain magic and auditory transportation of a tune that captures a culture’s heart and soul, passed from generation to generation for hundreds of years.

Jigs, reels, strathspeys, airs, laments, waltz’s, marches…fast or slow, major or minor, there’s a traditional tune for every occasion.

General/background music pricing: Locally (Pacifica to HMB) $150 per hour. Within 25 miles $170 per hour. Contact for further distances. Wedding ceremony pricing: $350 and up, contact for details.

LESSONS:

Want to learn to play the harp? I teach lessons both online (via skype) and at my studio on the coast to all ages, specializing in Scottish, Irish and other traditional music. I teach by ear and have found this intuitive, time honored method to be superior for retention and speed of learning. It is also excellent for those who are unfamiliar or intimidated by reading music. I believe music to be best learned like language; learn to speak (play) first, and to read and write later.

Lessons are taught by the 1/2 or full hour, with the amount of time dependent upon the individual. Most younger children (under 10) are best with 1/2 hr lessons and most adults go the full hour but there are exceptions in both cases.

The harp is a wonderfully simple, beautiful and rewarding instrument to play that has many therapeutic benefits, both from the sound and vibration of the soundbox against the body. I rent several harps out as practice instruments, so don’t worry if you don’t have one!

Pricing: $75 per hour and $50 per 1/2 hour. Save $5 a lesson by buying 3 or more lessons in advance. Get in touch and start learning!