“We have to take the opportunities as they come and say yes to the open door.”

Liza Jensen, is one of the most sought after harp technicians in the world. Her journey of becoming a harp technician has taken her on her own personal journey of discovery as we discuss in this interview.

My guest today is harpist Tiffany Schaefer. Tiffany is a harp teacher and performer based in Ohio. During our chat we discussed the Ohio Scottish Arts School, or OSAS for short, and how, “music is bringing people together and [how] it is ageless that way.” Tiffany grew up in a musical family and started playing the harp in 2007. Her involvement in OSAS and The Scottish Harp Society of America (SHSA) brought her into the world of Scottish traditional music.

I came across Aisling Lyons’ music while reading through some posts from my alma mater, The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at The University of Limerick. We did talk a bit about UL during our chat.. The track playing in the background is Aisling’s composition, ‘Buíochas’, which translates to “Thank You” in Irish, was composed as a thank you to UL and it is also a track from her new album coming out later this year. You can find this opening track on Spotify, iTunes & Apple Music, and Bandcamp ahead of the album’s release later this year. Artists joining her on this track are: Fiddle & Viola: Fergal Scahill, Double Bass: Paul O'Driscoll, Guitar: Seán Lyons and the beautiful album artwork was created by County Clare artist Sorrell Reilly.

“I find music is so powerful in that you can channel your expression of, if it’s grief or obviously if it’s happiness, if it’s excitement, if it’s love, you can channel all those emotions.”

Hi! Thank you for being here with me today on HarpSong™️. Today, April 22nd 2021, marks the first official anniversary of the podcast. That’s the date I uploaded the pilot episode. I didn’t know where it would take me, but it’s really kept me in touch with so many artists from around the world. Many have become good friends of mine. Some I’ve seen more of this year, thanks to zoom and the podcast, then I’ve seen before the strange year 2020 entered our lives.

And it’s those friendships and collaborations with these amazing folks that inspired me to start this podcast.

I’m also sharing a list of upcoming festivals and events with you today.

In this episode I have a lovely chat with Scottish harpist, Rachel Hair, and Manx singer Ruth Keggin. Rachel and Ruth are planning on recording an album of Manx songs later this year. Their crowdfunder is still up if you would like to be a part of making their new album. https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/rachelandruth

moonoverthetrees.com

My guest this week on HarpSong™️ is harpist and self described “Harp Detective” Nancy Hurrell. We had such a fun time talking about the harp, inspiration, and bringing history to life.

It feels like this year is flying by.

March brings us the Spring Equinox and warmer sunnier days ahead and of course, St. Patrick’s Day.

But, first, this week’s episode of HarpSong™️, is all about you! In this week’s episode I’m giving you 7 tips for things that will help you be kinder to yourself.

Let me know:

What are your biggest challenges musically?

Are you new to the harp and don’t know where to start?

Do you need some concrete advice on how to get started recording yourself?

Would you like a step by step guide on how to use audio and video editing software?

Do you want to hear more about getting started on the harp/piano/voice lessons?

Are you looking for inspiration?

Ways to relax and unwind?

Are you interested in meeting up with folks in the Moon Over the Trees community to share music and theater ideas and inspiration?

Welcome to this week’s episode of HarpSong™️

www.shvetathakrar.com

Shveta Thakrar, is a writer and lover of the harp. The heroine in her new novel, “Star Daughter”, plays the music of the stars on her harp, after all, she is half star and half human. In this, Shveta’s first novel, she spins a story of magic, of stars, of a young woman’s strength, her friendships and family. The world in this novel moves between New Jersey and the stars and Vedic Nakshatras, or constellations. Music is the heartbeat of this book and the harp makes a prominent role in the story.

Land, landscape, history, and music…

Janet Harbison is one of the most well respected celebrators of the Irish Harp and Traditional Irish Music.  She has had a profound influence on the harp and trad community teaching some of the most well known harp players in the tradition like Grainne Hambly, Michael Rooney, and Laoise Kelly.

Janet and I covered quite a bit of information in our chat so I decided to break this interview into two parts. In this episode we discuss her new album, her development of courses to train teachers of traditional Irish music, Northern Ireland during Brexit and COVID, the history of the Belfast harp Orchestra as well has her involvement in the peace process in Northern Ireland. In Part 2 of this interview we’ll get into her relationship with Camac harps and the story behind the making of the Camac “Janet” harp and other interesting topics.

www.moonoverthetrees.com

www.ailierobertson.com

I first heard Ailie Robertson’s music this past summer when I was moderating workshops at the online Somerset Folk Harp Festival. Ailie is one of Scotland's leading composers and a sought after harpist. Life has a way of sending you down paths that you might not have originally considered. In our chat Ailie talks about how she studied genetics at Cambridge University for four years then decided to take a gap year to pursue a masters degree in Irish Traditional Music at The University of LImerick’s Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, my alma mater.

Hi! Well, the holidays are right around the corner. One of the things that has helped us get through this crazy year of 2020, which feels like it’s been going on for over twenty years now, is the arts… Music especially.

I can’t think of a better gift for you or your loved ones than music to listen to and to learn.  Here are links to music of the artists that I have interviewed on my podcast.  You can purchase these beauties directly from the artists’ pages so the money goes directly to them.  Also, if you play piano the harp arrangements translate nicely to the piano.