About the festival
Get ready for an unforgettable adventure at The Somerset Folk Harp Festival – the ultimate celebration of music, talent, and creativity in the world of folk harp! Whether you’re just starting your harp journey or you’re a seasoned player exploring new horizons, there’s something for everyone at this vibrant festival.
Immerse yourself in the magic of folk harp music – from traditional Celtic and Latin rhythms to Blues, Classical harp, therapeutic music, electronic sounds, and so much more! Whether you’re perfecting a specific skill, diving into a new genre, or simply having fun, Somerset’s workshop lineup will inspire, challenge, and expand your musical world.
Don’t worry – you won’t miss a thing! With your 4-day festival pass, you’ll have access to replays of all workshops until October 31st, so you can revisit your favorites or catch up on anything you missed.
Where’s all the action?
Right in the heart of Princeton, NJ at the stunning Westin Princeton – the perfect setting to dive into the world of harps. Explore the Exhibit Hall, chat with expert luthiers, and try your hand at hundreds of harps. Who knows? You might even find your dream harp and take it home with you!
But that’s just the beginning – get ready to be amazed by daily concerts, spontaneous after-hours sessions, a lively talent show, and fun-filled dances that will keep you grooving all night long. With harps ranging from single-row to double-strung, and historical harps, there’s no limit to what you can discover.
Whether you’re attending in person or virtually, Somerset Folk Harp Festival is the place to be for every harp enthusiast! See you there – your musical adventure awaits! 🎶✨
watch video
Christy-Lyn and her sister visited Somerset in 2019 from South Africa.
The festival is Hybrid now so you can watch and rewatch workshops and concerts for the length of your subscription.
OUR STAFF
Maureen Buscareno
FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
Maureen's Bio
Maureen joined the Somerset Folk Harp Festival in 2009 as Concert Manager and became Director in 2022, succeeding Kathy DeAngelo. She holds an MA in Ethnomusicology from the University of Limerick, where she studied under Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, and an MA in Music Education from Columbia University.
An accomplished musician, Maureen has performed with the Delaware Valley Celtic Harp Orchestra and regularly participates in local Irish Traditional Music sessions. She teaches music and directs youth theater in New Jersey and the Lower Hudson Valley.
In 2020, Maureen launched the HarpSong® podcast, where she interviews festival presenters and performers.
kim Adamson
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Kim's Bio
Kim Adamson has been an integral part of Somerset Folk Harp Festival since its very beginning. From coordinating the setup of the Exhibit Hall and running harp tastings to assisting at the concert stage, Kim plays a vital role in keeping the festival running smoothly. If you attend in person, you’ll likely spot Kim everywhere—she’s always on the go, ensuring that every detail is taken care of and that the festival experience is seamless for all!
Nyx Hauth
CONCERT MANAGER
Nyx's Bio
Nyx (they/them) is a musician, songwriter, and composer who became Concert Manager for the Somerset Folk Harp Festival in 2023. They began playing the Irish lever harp over 15 years ago with Kathy DeAngelo and have attended the festival every year since.
A graduate of Berklee College of Music, Nyx now performs alt, punk, and prog/math rock on their electric lever harp. Their personal journey with mental health has shown them the transformative power of music. As a proud Indian American and transgender non-binary person, they are dedicated to using their music to uplift and connect with their community.
Nyx’s debut album, Funeral Afterparty, was released with their band, The Dead Friends Club (@tdfcmusic), with more music on the way.
Shyamali Hauth
STAFF
Shymali's Bio
Shyamali began her harp studies as an adult with Kathy DeAngelo and later studied with Eileen Gannon. She has been attending and presenting at the Somerset Folk Harp Festival for 15 years. As a certified Yoga Therapist, she has led sessions on Reducing Performance Anxiety, Preparing the Body to Play, and morning Yoga Classes. Shyamali joined the festival staff when Somerset transitioned to a hybrid format.
When not working as the Legislative Director for Transportation, Public Safety, and the Arts, Shyamali enjoys teaching harp to students of all ages at her home in northern Virginia.
kathy deangelo
Director Emeritus
Kathy's Bio
Kathy took over management of the Somerset Folk Harp Festival in July 2008, following the retirement of founder Gerry Serviente, and passed the role to Maureen Buscareno in 2022. She performed in the first Somerset and served as the festival’s first concert manager.
A harpist since 1984, Kathy has been performing traditional Irish music since 1972 and is a key figure in New Jersey’s folk music scene. In 1973, she founded the Mine Street Coffeehouse in New Brunswick and became music director of the first New Jersey Folk Festival in 1975. She returned as music director in 2006 and retired in 2014.
Kathy teaches harp, runs You Gotta Have Harp Productions, and organized the annual Harpers Escape starting in 1992, which was later integrated into the Somerset Folk Harp Festival. In 2017, she began leading the Harp Tour of Ireland.
When not teaching or performing with her husband, Dennis Gormley, in McDermott’s Handy, Kathy continues to contribute to the folk music community. She and Dennis were inducted into the Mid-Atlantic Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann Hall of Fame in 2014 and the Delaware Valley Irish Hall of Fame in 2015.
In 2023, Kathy was honored with the inaugural Heritage Fellowship Grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts for her 50 years of contributions to the folk music community.
Gerry Serviente
Festival Founder
Gerry's Bio
Gerry Serviente founded the Somerset Folk Harp Festival in 2001 and directed this major harp event until 2008. She has been a tireless promoter of the many facets and styles of the folk harp and we’re indebted to her for her long years of service.
A Note from the Director
Welcome to the 25th Anniversary of the Somerset Folk Harp Festival!
What started as a small gathering has become a vibrant, global celebration of harp music, learning, and community. Over the years, thousands of harpists, teachers, performers, and artisans have brought their energy and heart to Somerset.
This milestone year honors the power of music to connect and uplift. Whether it’s your first time or your twenty-fifth, you are part of something truly special.
Since 2020, our hybrid format has helped us reach harpists around the world, and we now welcome attendees from across the U.S. and over 20 countries. This year also marks the debut of the Somerset Folk Harp Festival Ensemble—celebrating creativity and collaboration.
We’re proud to honor four extraordinary individuals with Lifetime Achievement Awards: founder Mary “Gerry” Serviente, Kathy DeAngelo, Dennis Gormley, and Kim Adamson. Their dedication helped build the foundation of this festival.
Thank you for being part of the journey. Whether you’re with us in Princeton or online, we’re so glad you’re here.
With gratitude,
Maureen Buscareno
Director, Somerset Folk Harp Festival
Location
The Westin Princeton
Princeton, NJ
Discounted Room Block Rates for festival attendees
Somerset will be HYBRID in 2025. This means we’ll be on-site at The Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village, for those who want to attend in-person, while at the same time be on Zoom with our ‘live’ workshops and events.
Most of our workshops will be presented “live” on-site in Princeton AND on Zoom and recorded for later replay via your member sign-in. No matter where you are in the world – the festival is located wherever you are!
