The Harps

I grew up in a household full of music, an early memory is vacuuming with my dad, singing Silent Night! (Tee hee!) We continued to sing together over the years, at home, Grange and in our church choir. I began taking piano lessons in middle school, and was a Music Minor in college. 

My first harp came to me in my forties, the year after my dad's death. I loved the sustained notes and glissandos, which I looked for on the piano! I'd always thought of harps as big, and our of reach, until I met several folk harps in the 80s, I was enchanted! 

Tuilleadh - my first harp arrived March 16, 1993. Her

Tuilleadh

Gaelic name means "to give abundantly, a full measure." She was crafted in Corvallis by Dave Thormahlen of Oregon woods: big leaf maple and black walnut, with spruce soundboard. At 14 pounds, Tuille's very portable, with a big sound. (Tuille is an Osprey, a size no longer available.)

My larger harp, Rowan Luchair, came from East Coast Luthier Rick Kemper, and is his "joy harp." Rowan is Koa, with a spruce and cedar sound board, covered in cherry veneer. She has bright fluorocarbon strings, perfect for Celtic ornamentation, and is a Celtic lowhead style harp. At 17#, she is still very portable.

Rowan Luchair

My smallest harp, Bella Luna, arrived on a full moon after I completed my harp quest, part of the Harping for Harmony music project. My quest was to play 25 times for the "Young Elders of Yamhill County." Bella Luna is a wonderful size for hospital visits and when I teach Art workshops away from home. Her first outing was to a local birth center.

Let's Celebrate!