Farm Girl's Harp
You might think that it is strange that a harpist chose a rustic barn for her page but when you think about it, musicians aren't born in recital halls, writers aren't born in newspaper rooms or libraries, and accountants aren't born in financial firms. We all have our roots and unique, unexpected twists in life. I was born on a farm and have hopes and plans to remain there, but I have many little twists in my life that you wouldn't expect from a farm girl. Being a harpist is one of them.
I was probably around twelve or thirteen years old when I saw a PBS documentary on harps and a particular harpist that had a harp strapped to her, dancing and swaying in the woods. Of course I loved the outdoors and could just picture myself doing the same thing in our pastures, fields, and trees and it intrigued me. I mentioned to my mother one day that it would be cool to play the harp, but since I had a knack of being interested in a great many things, I knew that it was highly unlikely that Mom would take anything from me too seriously - especially something that could potentially cost money. However, a week later I was surprisingly informed that I would be getting lessons. By June of 2002, after several months of lessons, my grandparents purchased a harp for me.
From then on I gradually entered the performing world. My first performances were for women’s get-togethers, church offertories and communion. Then I joined up with the Third Street Acting Company and played background music for several of their productions including Jane Eyre, Great Expectations, several productions of Shakespeare, and a children’s production of Peter Rabbit. Soon I was being hired to play for weddings, receptions, business parties, and Christmas Banquets, by friends, neighbors, friends of friends, and church members. Little by little I ventured to sing among friends in college and in church. With encouragement from friends and peers I knew in college, I auditioned and was accepted into the North Dakota State University concert choir and church worship team. It was only a matter of time before I happened to play my harp and sing at the same time in front of a few friends and was strongly persuaded to perform for a college Christmas Banquet. Skeptical, I skyped my sister, my biggest musical critic, and played some of it for her. I was fully expecting her to point out where I was flat or too slow with the harp, etc., especially since it couldn't possibly sound good through skype! Surprisingly however, she had only good remarks and encouragement. That song and performance was a turning point in my musical abilities and has thus lead me to join harp and voice together for several performances since.
I was probably around twelve or thirteen years old when I saw a PBS documentary on harps and a particular harpist that had a harp strapped to her, dancing and swaying in the woods. Of course I loved the outdoors and could just picture myself doing the same thing in our pastures, fields, and trees and it intrigued me. I mentioned to my mother one day that it would be cool to play the harp, but since I had a knack of being interested in a great many things, I knew that it was highly unlikely that Mom would take anything from me too seriously - especially something that could potentially cost money. However, a week later I was surprisingly informed that I would be getting lessons. By June of 2002, after several months of lessons, my grandparents purchased a harp for me.
From then on I gradually entered the performing world. My first performances were for women’s get-togethers, church offertories and communion. Then I joined up with the Third Street Acting Company and played background music for several of their productions including Jane Eyre, Great Expectations, several productions of Shakespeare, and a children’s production of Peter Rabbit. Soon I was being hired to play for weddings, receptions, business parties, and Christmas Banquets, by friends, neighbors, friends of friends, and church members. Little by little I ventured to sing among friends in college and in church. With encouragement from friends and peers I knew in college, I auditioned and was accepted into the North Dakota State University concert choir and church worship team. It was only a matter of time before I happened to play my harp and sing at the same time in front of a few friends and was strongly persuaded to perform for a college Christmas Banquet. Skeptical, I skyped my sister, my biggest musical critic, and played some of it for her. I was fully expecting her to point out where I was flat or too slow with the harp, etc., especially since it couldn't possibly sound good through skype! Surprisingly however, she had only good remarks and encouragement. That song and performance was a turning point in my musical abilities and has thus lead me to join harp and voice together for several performances since.