Private Lessons

I teach both pedal harp and lever harp in my private studio; my technique is of the Grandjany (French) school. And even though my background is classical, I add improvisation to the mix, making sure my students enjoy making their own music as well as learning music from the vast classical, traditional and contemporary harp repertoire. I also encourage learning theory using the 2016 syllabus of the Royal Conservatory of Music.

I hold a Bachelor's Degree of Music from McGill University, majoring in Performance. I am a member of the Royal College of Examiners, and as such have conducted exams for the Royal Conservatory of Music across Canada.

I have served as harp advisor for the National Arts Centre Orchestra Bursary Competition (Ottawa), and harp examiner for the Conservatoire de Montréal, Québec and Trois-Rivières.

Whatever your age or musical abilities, if you think the harp is your instrument, there's a place for you in my studio!

 

Workshops

Gorgeous Sound and How to Achieve It

Learn to maximize use of strings in order to produce a rich sound. Focus will be on single notes, phrasing, and chords of all kinds; widening dynamic range; and how the whole body gets involved. Also, a brief overview of tuning.

Level: All. Ability to read music not necessary, but a basic knowledge of notes and chords helpful.

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A Harpist’s Workbook

A collection of exercises designed to develop finger agility & some muscle; warm-ups, on & off the harp; good practice habits; 5 minutes are better than none; put some colour into your playing. You’ll sound better than ever!

Level: All. Ability to read music not necessary but a basic knowledge of notes and chords helpful.

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A Harpist’s Workbook - the Basics

Condensed focus: scales, chords and arpeggios, the basics of harp technique.

Level: All. Ability to read music not necessary but a basic knowledge of notes and chords helpful.

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Tap it Out

Rhythm is a vital part of music, and is really not that complicated. With a little knowledge of note values and how they subdivide and fit into each other, you can learn to play all sorts of rhythmic combinations. In this workshop, you won’t play a note since rhythm has nothing to do with pitch. All that is required is a flat surface to tap away a multitude of rhythm combos. Once you feel it in your body, it will be a cinch to put it in your music.

Level: All. No harps required.

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Introduction to Improvisation

Creating melodies from chord progressions; creating melodies with chords only; expanding on existing melodies; creating introductions, codas, interludes. it’s all a game and loads of fun.

Level: Intermediate. A good understanding of chord structure, basic musical knowledge & ability to read music necessary.