2026 Workshops OH

Rhett Barnwell

Playing the Harp Without Fear
Often, we can play quite well in the practice room but seem to come apart at the seams when we have to play in front of someone, be it at a lesson, for friends, in a church service, or in a concert. What causes this, and what relatively simple steps can we take to overcome it? We will look at the reasons we are fearful of playing in front of others, but more importantly, we will learn concrete methods of overcoming the fear. We will rediscover the joy of making and sharing music with others without the baggage of fear attached. The session will be very interactive, and all who are willing will be encouraged to play individually during the course of the workshops. We will visit several different approaches to the issue of fearful playing and learn to create a “transformance” instead of a shaky performance. All levels, lecture and hands-on. 

Gregorian Chant for the Harp 
With the recent surge of interest in Gregorian chant, many people are rediscovering this most ancient form of sung prayer. We will look at the origins of Gregorian chant and see its fundamental role in the shaping of Western sacred music. These simple and beautifully profound melodies lend themselves well to being played on the harp, and this workshop will explore how to do this as well as examining existing arrangements. All levels, lecture and hands-on.

The Compleat Harpist
A “whole-istic” approach to increasing your musical, mental and technical prowess. By taking a progressive approach, from mental preparation, to “technique tune-ups” to decreasing performance anxiety, these 2 workshops will look at the “whole picture” of making you a better musician and harpist overall. The session will be very interactive, and all participants will be encouraged to play individually during the course of the workshops. Part 1 will cover effective warmups, breathing and relaxation, and technical matters. There will be time for individual attention and ample opportunity for Q & A. All levels welcome, harps required. 

Christa Grix

Master Memorization
Stop fearing memory lapses! Join this workshop to explore the science of memorization and master practical techniques to make your performance secure and 'bulletproof.' Whether you're playing for memory for the first time or looking to sharpen your skills, bring your harp and a piece you’d love to play by heart.

Finding Your Roots
Chances are you can trace your harp ancestry to Alphonse Hasselmans, the influential Belgian harpist who taught almost all major 20th-century harpists while at the Paris Conservatory (1884–1912). Many of his pupils emigrated to the US, populating conservatories and symphonies, and in the process, defining the modern harpist. This lecture-recital explores the music and lineage of Hasselmans, his students, and his 'grand'-students. No harp required, open to companions.

Telling Your Fingers Where To GoWant to play faster? Then you need to place faster! Good technique stems from placing with precision, not just speed. Join this workshop to unlock the secrets of directional placing and master 24 ways to play arpeggiated chords correctly. This is an intensive session designed to transform your practice routine. Intermediate level. Bring your harp.

Carol Kappus

Cool Tunes!
Learn a couple Carol Kappus tunes from the composer. Scores will be provided but we’ll do hands on learning the way I would teach you in a private lesson. For beginners and up, we’ll have a look at my best seller, Summer Dreamin’. Then for intermediate players, learn the fun and jazzy tune: Jazz Takes Charge, where I try to capture the personality of my friend Pat’s cat Jazz. You’ll learn interesting syncopations and use your levers to imitate Jazz’s bossy meow. If you’re fast learners, we might get to a third tune as well - Black is the color of my true love’s hair. Kind of hard to read but not hard to play!!

Magic Hands!
Carol uses a group of chords and hand positions which make up a lot of what we play and which she uses for everything from intros, accompaniments, technic strengthening exercises, playing by ear. We will work on ways to build these chords and hand positions into your hands until they become automatic and you can plug them in anywhere! You will probably find that using this system will give your playing a lot more flow and will make it easier and more fun. We will use this system of chords hand positions to learn several wonderful tunes and you will go home with a packet of great chord based arrangements to enjoy. Level: beginner through intermediate.

Fun on the Playground
Yes, it is fun and interesting to play with other harpers! Carol will teach you some tunes with lots of parts from simple to more complex which you can pick up quickly and plug in as we play together. Harps sound beautiful together and these pieces are easy and fun. (Possible tunes: Rhiannon, The Selkie, Chanter, Brian Boru, Summer Dreamin’, Fields of Gold, Fires at Midnight, Game of Thrones). Levels: all!

Anna O'Connell

Making Your Harp Sing
In this workshop we explore lyrical melodies, and how to “sing” them on the harp. Featuring music across several centuries, we investigate line, phrasing, and the little elements of musical theory that add up to big singing results. All levels, hands on.

Playing Dances, Dancing while Playing
How often do we see a gavotte or gigue in the titles to pieces or movements, and allow the type of dance to inform our playing? In this workshop, we explore elements of baroque dance, and how to play these on the harp. Bring comfortable shoes for movement! All levels welcome, hands (and feet!) on.

Approaching Medieval & Renaissance Harps & Repertoire
Where do we get started in medieval repertoire for the harp? What resources are available to us as we begin a journey to expand our performance on medieval instruments? Learn about historical harps and try out medieval and renaissance harps. Open to all levels, lecture based, but with participation; feel free to bring a harp.

Kim Robertson

Secrets of Stage Presence
One of the best kept secrets of professional musicians is that we ALL get nervous performing for others but have learned how to hide it. A touring musician for over 50 years, Kim will share practical strategies for coping with nerves, planning a program and being relaxed and authentic on stage, no matter what size the audience. Lecture/demo with student participation but no harps necessary.

Beauty Secrets
Why do we fall in love with certain pieces more than than others? What are the specific elements that draw us to the tunes we define as beautiful? Using a sampling of pieces, learn how to identify the modes, harmonies, and melodic motifs that personally appeal to you. Discover your own Beauty Tunes for your repertoire. Life is too short to play pieces you don’t love! Intermediate but all levels welcome. Hands-on

Secrets of Simplicity
According to Leonardo da Vinci, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” In this arranging workshop, discover the “less is more” method: playing minimum notes to produce maximum results. Learn chord voicings, rhythmic patterns and strategies that will help you create evocative but effortless arrangements. All levels. Hands-on

Denise Grupp-Verbon (Tapestry)

Thursday workshop: "It's not that complicated, I promise!"
What challenges you about playing the harp? Fingerings? Rhythms? Creating arrangements? Tuning? Join us for an evening of handy dandy helpful tips and perspectives because, it's not that complicated!

The Lone Arranger
Would you like to start creating your own arrangements but have no idea of how or where to begin? Join us for some simple and easy ideas of how to begin. We will also learn some basics about reading and using chord symbols. Designed for Beginners, but certainly open to all levels.

Creating Magic with Special Effects
Do you like to making unique sounds on your harp? Join us for an exploration of techniques, including harmonics, rolled chords, glissandos, P.D.L.T., etouffé, lever slides, and the xylophone effect. Bring your harp, open to all levels.

Brittany DeYoung

Keeping Your Harp Healthy: Essential Care and Maintenance
This is a hands-on workshop designed to help harpists confidently care for their instruments. We’ll cover the fundamentals of tuning, basic lever regulation, and how to maintain proper climate conditions to protect your harp. Participants will learn safe cleaning techniques and gain a clearer understanding of what a full professional regulation includes. We’ll also discuss when cracks or structural changes are cause for concern—and when they’re not. This workshop equips harpists with practical knowledge to keep their instruments sounding beautiful and lasting for years to come. Open to companions.

Sandy Beck

Harp Circle with Sandy
Do you find that busy schedules or distance make it hard to play music with others? Here's your opportunity to connect and enjoy a fun, relaxed harp play-along. Handouts will be provided, or feel free to bring your iPad for AirDrop access to materials. Bring your harp and your smile - everyone is welcome!

Karen Peterson

Arranging Spontaneously at the Bedside
A hallmark of providing therapeutic music is the ability to adjust your music selections to fit the patient in the moment. If you can only play one version of "Over the Rainbow," then you'll have to abandon the song entirely when that version doesn't fit this patient. Instead, we'll practice ways to simplify the melody, lighten up the accompaniment, and even change the meter. On the flip side, we'll discuss how to keep yourself musically engaged when playing very simply. Aimed at therapeutic musicians, this workshop gives all harpers a new perspective on arranging. Example tunes will be provided, and you can bring your own arrangements to try out. All levels, hands-on.

Therapeutic Harping: Everything You Need To Know
Can you get paid to play therapeutic harp? Should you go through a certification program? What types of facilities and patients can you play for? What's the best repertoire? What do you do when something unexpected happens? Whether you're simply curious or seriously considering therapeutic work, Karen addresses these questions and more, drawing on 14 years as a Certified Music Practitioner and her service on the boards for both the Music for Healing & Transition Program and the National Standards Board for Therapeutic Musicians. All levels, discussion.

Susie Kunkle

Playing Well With Others
Have you ever thought about joining a worship team or folk band? This workshop will teach how to fit in, playing from a lead sheet, and various chord patterns. We will also cover amplification, rehearsal etiquette, and using some of the harp’s unique features to enhance the music. Open to companions.

Jo Lynn Rhodes

Sunday Devotions
Greet the morning with this opportunity to rejoice in worship and song! This relaxed, non-denominational time of devotion is a perfect way to reflect on the overall Harp Gathering experience and renew your mind and spirit. Where two or three are gathered, God is among them, but the more, the merrier! Come join us! All are welcome!! Sunday Devotions

Kristina Finch

Harp Tech 101
A beginners guide to using technology to enhance your practice and performance life. From iPads to metronomes that have a little extra something special, this class will take us through some of the most useful and adaptive modern technologies. Open to Companions.

Pat Tait

Fun with Glissandos
Glissandos are easy and fun to play on the harp. We will be practicing different ways to play glissandos, and then exploring strategic places to put them in our playing.

Harper’s Harp Circle
Come join us for an hour and a half of no-stress, relaxing play time with your harp. A Google Drive with music will be generated so you can access music from home before you come to the Harp Gathering, and either print the music or download it to your electronic device ahead of time.

Amy Hemker

Ergonomics for Musicians
A basic introduction for neutral posture for musicians. Most playing injuries come from posture challenges. This workshop goes over how best to hold the instrument to your body and adjustments for different body types. Open to Companions.

The Athletic Musician
This workshop introduces how to warm up the muscles used for playing music, stretching, strength training, and cardio workouts for the musician's body for playing endurance. Open to Companions.