Purpose and Motivations
Why does your work stand out?
I believe that for your event, you shouldn't need to settle for a pre-prepared mold. Music is expression, and whether you love the elegant classics, or gravitate towards the tender song that brings back the memories, or you're on the cutting edge and want that tune that just hit youtube, your event should be an expression of what you want and who you are. I realize that and I do my best to work on musical selections with you WITHOUT charging extra costs. My goal is your satisfaction.
I also make myself available via communication and technological sharing. Just as you wouldn't buy a wedding cake without tasting it, I don't expect you to hire me without sampling what I do. I'm flexible and conversant with sharing my music across the miles.
No matter what, I make it my goal exactly the musical atmosphere you envision.
What do you like most about being a harpist?
Honestly? I love making people happy. I'm know that's incredibly cheesy, but there it is! I love connecting with my clients and hearing their stories. What we end up planning is often an intimate and personal musical story.
Whether it’s the tender celebration of a a new life at a baby-shower, the joy and laughter of a wedding, the sweet memories of a memorial, or the warmth of a birthday party, I feel honored to contribute to the day.
Do you have a favorite story from your harp events?
Probably playing for a private birthday party. A gentleman contacted me to play for his wife's 50th birthday. It was a total surprise for her. He booked a private lodge on a lake and had me come in and play a harp recital just for them during her birthday dinner. I had asked prior for some information about her, and when I found out that she and her late father were Irish, I brought out my Irish archives and played her favorite "Daddy and me" Irish ballad! She burst out in tears - her face was radiant. I was so happy to be able to give something meaningful to her. Moments like that are what keep me going in music.
What advice do you have for a client thinking about a harpist for their event?
I strive to make my clients’ experiences as easy, stress-free, and personal as I can! A great deal of planning goes into the final performance on my end, and the more that I can incorporate of your vision, the better.
I love to play a variety of music on the harp. There are a great number of brilliant songs that work cohesively for a well-rounded experience. I would love to make some suggestions to add the perfect touch. The Client Consultation is a great opportunity for “show it off!”
One of the advantages of having a live musician for your event is that I can time the pieces to fit spotlight events perfectly! No need to worry about the flowergirl that loses her nerve, or the bride that’s so eager to get married that she all but runs down the aisle! I will provide smooth transitions with well-paced songs to capture the mood or solemnity of your special moments.
How did you decide to get in your line of work?
I first heard the harp when I was a toddler. My mother, who is a professional pianist, became friends with a harpist named Christina Tourin. I used to listen to her cassettes all the time as a little girl, and it very much inspired me.
When I was 8 or so, my mother took me to the Cleveland Institute of Music's Christmas Extravaganza. We heard a harp ensemble playing Christmas carols, and I got stars in my eyes all over again. Afterwards, I snuck up to the ring of harps and started tentatively playing them. Being 8, I thought I could attract the teacher's eye and she'd offer me harp lessons on the spot. Being much wiser than an 8 year old, the harp teacher immediately ran over to me and shooed me away from the harp before I could knock it over, get gooey candy all over it, or attract hordes of children.
With fierceness that only 8-year-olds can muster, I vowed to one day play the harp just because I’d been told “no”!
Thankfully, when my parents gave me a trial run via renting a harp for me for a year before purchasing, I realized that there's so much to being a musician and a performer. It’s an art goes deeper, beyond the glamour and stage lights.
I've formed a relationship with this instrument and with my audience, and I do this because I delight in sharing what this instrument can do.