Testimonials
You play so beautifully! I never knew the harp had so many voices.
Dick M., Rochester, NY
Thank you so much for entertaining our residents... It has been over a week and residents
are still talking about your talent.
Kathy M., Penfield, NY
Great job with the harp, Lara - positive comments all around!
Joan A., Macedon, NY
Thank you again for coming to play your harp for us. What a wonderful way for us to spend an afternoon!
Madonna H., Penfield, NY
Frequently Asked Questions
My Experience
How long have you been playing the harp?
I transitioned to the harp several years ago after having played the piano since I was
a child. When I had my first harp lesson, I knew I had made the right choice. I have loved every minute of every hour
that I have been able to spend learning to express myself with my harp.
What drew you to the harp?
For me, there is nothing quite as magnificent an instrument as the harp. I fell in
love with the look and the sound of the instrument long ago when I was performing with the Maryland Youth Symphony Orchestra. I finally had
the opportunity to try the harp as an adult, and have been surprised to learn about the extensive history of the instrument as well
as the many different types of music that can be played on it.
Booking Events
This all sounds great. How can I book you for an event?
To book an event, I will need to know the following information:
- Event Type
- Event Date
- Event Location
- Event Start & End Times
Where do you perform? Are you willing to travel?
Most events I have played have been within the greater Rochester, New York area. I am willing to travel,
but depending on the distance, I may need to charge a bit more to cover the cost of travel time and gas.
How much do you charge?
Every event is different, and I try to customize a package to suit what you need. The rate I charge
will depend on an event's duration, the location, and any special requests. Contact me for a quote!
Do you require a deposit?
To hold a date, I require a contract to be signed and a deposit of 50% of the final cost to be provided.
What methods of payment do you accept?
To keep costs down for my clients, I accept cash and checks at this time.
The Harp
How do you know which strings are which?
Just like a piano has black and white keys, the strings of a harp are color-coded. Each
C string is red, while each F string is either blue or black (depending on the manufacturer). All other strings are
white. You can figure out which strings to play based on their relationship to the red and blue/black strings.
Does playing the harp hurt your fingers?
Not at all! You build up calluses on your fingers very quickly, but even so, plucking the strings
is much more of a full hand motion than a finger motion, so you rarely notice your fingertips.
How heavy is the harp?
My Lyon & Healy Prelude weighs about 45 pounds. Pedal harps are closer to 80 pounds, while some
smaller lap harps can weigh as little as about 10 pounds.
How do you tune the harp?
I have an electronic tuner that helps determine if the pitch of a string is too high
or too low. Once you know the current pitch of that string, you can adjust it up or down as needed - and then move
onto the next string. Each string of the harp must be tuned individually.
