Other Services & Projects
The Celtic Harp Page
I have been running a non-profit educational harp page since the 1990's, called The Celtic Harp Page. All the links and listings on the CHP are provided free of charge. If you are new to the world of the harp, and want to find out more before you commit to lessons and/or buying a harp, check out the Celtic Harp Page FAQ.
Arranging & Composing
Along with performing, I also write and arrange music. My two latest books for solo harp and several of my arrangements are available through Chubby Sparrow Music. I currently arrange much of the music played by the Stringwood Trio as well as arranging for solo harp and other ensembles. If you have music you would like arranged for a small accoustic group (such as a recorder ensemble or small choir), or have hand-written music you would like transcribed into a professional score, feel free to contact me for more information. Chubby Sparrow Music also has a free music section, where you can download midi and graphic files of trad tunes for free.
Workshops For All Ages
Over the years I have run numerous harp circles and workshops in Peterborough and nearby, including workshops on Welsh music, arranging, and accompaniment styles. I also organized two medieval music workshops, in 1997-1998 - you can find out more by visiting the Hurly Burly website. If you would like to host a harp workshop, or want to discuss ideas for a harp workshop or an early music workshop or demonstration, please feel free to contact me for more information.
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Examples of Workshop Topics:
Arranging for Celtic Harp
Accompaniment Styles for Celtic Harp
Beginning the Harp: Basic Technique
Early Music (Music from the Medieval & Renaissance periods)
Ensemble Playing
Improvisation (Learn how to leave the paper behind)
Introduction To The Classic Modes
Introduction to Celtic Music (Including playing at sessions)
Rhythm (playing rhythmically, time signatures, rhythmic bass hand patterns)
Singing With The Harp
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A Bit of History
When I first started out, I had a little 22-string lap harp, and a hand-made wire harp on loan from my uncle. I was originally self-taught (I played numerous other instruments, so I thought, how hard could it be?) but I soon realized the limitations of that approach. After three years (already playing small lunch-time performances in coffee shops and the like by that time), I decided it would be a good idea to find a teacher. When I got my first floor-model 34-string harp (in B.C., while visiting my mom), I took one very comprehensive, helpful intro lesson from Katherine Ely (I still use some of the exercises she showed me with my students). Upon returning to Peterborough, I signed up for a string of lessons with Leslie McInnis in Toronto. A pedal harp player herself, she was very open-minded about other types of harps and Celtic music, and gave me a number of essential pointers on technique. Since then, I take workshops and attend conferences whenever I can.
The first harp workshop I ever took was at the Goderich Celtic College, in Goderich, Ontario, with Mary Anderson. I had seen her play at Rasputin's in Ottawa and was struck by her confidence and ease of playing; in fact, it was dark enough in the cafe, that for the first half hour I didn't even realize that her left hand was in fact a prosthesis. The Goderich workshop was great, and I learned a different approach to technique that I incorporated into what I'd learned from pedal harp players.
In the summer of 2002 I attended the Somerset Harp Conference in Somerset, New Jersey, where I took workshops with harpists such as Grainne Hambly (Irish harp), Kim Robertson (Celtic harp), Frank Voltz (jazz), Harper Tasche, and Cynthia Valenzuela (Latin harp), among others.
Harp Quest 2002:
Also in the summer of '02, I participated in the "Millenium Harp Quest" project that is run by Harpers for Harmony. I played one of my lap harps and a lap harp borrowed from a friend at over 25 bridges and locks throughout southern Ontario. To find out more, click here (pictures, stories, timeline, and more).
Somewhere in there I've also gone to a number of other smaller Celtic and medieval workshops, including one with The Angel Band that I attended with other members of an intermittent Celtic group, "Rum & Onions"; and another with Thomas Loefke of Norland Wind, when the band was playing here in Peterborough.
In 2003 I attended another Goderich Celtic College harp workshop, with renowned Welsh triple harp player Robin Huw Bowen. A generous, larger-than-life character with a great sense of humour, Robin led a fun and informative week of classes. In fact, I learned so much from him that I was inspired later that year to give my own Welsh-music workshop, to a group of Toronto and Peterborough harpers up at Trent University.
Non-Music Projects & Services
While teaching and playing music are my main profession, I also write, draw, paint, and design and maintain web pages. A full list of all the websites associated with my current projects can be found in my contact information section.
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