Our 2026 presenters

Rhett Barnwell has undertaken a varied career as a classical and Celtic harpist, composer, conductor, cellist, French horn player and organist. As a harpist, he has focused on music for healing, sacred and meditative purposes, and has played for numerous events in churches, hospices, nursing homes and hospitals. He has also given concerts throughout the U.S., as well as in Venice, Rome and Florence, Italy, and at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, S.C., with soprano Claire Teuber. He recently gave a concert tour of Ireland with soprano Victoria Lawson, with whom he has recorded and given frequent concerts. Mr. Barnwell earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Florida State University and a Master of Music degree in French horn performance from Saint Louis Conservatory. At Florida State, he studied harp with Mary Brigid Roman, and has also studied with Sunita Staneslow, Ellen Foster and Monica Hargrave. He pursued Doctoral studies in organ, Gregorian chant, and choral conducting at the University of Georgia. He has also studied Gregorian chant at the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music in Rome, Italy, the Abbey of St. Pierre, Solesmes, France, and Westminster Choir College. Presenter Website: Rhett Barnwell

Go For Baroque – Rhett Barnwell | Type: Hands-on | Level: Any | When: 7/16/2026 1:00pm-2:30pm
This workshop takes an in-depth look at this glorious period of musical composition in which great composers wrote a large amount of music for every instrument except the harp. We will explore the reasons for this omission, and examine the relatively small body of music that actually was written for the harp during this time. More importantly, we will examine the wealth of transcriptions for lever and pedal harp that now make it possible for us to perform all the Baroque music we could ever want. Performance practice, trills, and other fun things will be discussed as we seek to bring this beautiful music alive on modern lever harp. All levels, lecture and hands-on.

The Joy of Bach – Rhett Barnwell | Type: Hands-on | Level: Any | When: 7/17/2026 1:00pm-2:30pm
An informative and sometimes humorous approach to the harp music of Johann Sebastian Bach, or rather, the lack thereof. Find out why this powdered-wigged master of polyphony seems to have written nothing for the harp, and what has been done to correct this grievous omission. We will explore the life, music and spirituality of Bach, often called the “Fifth Evangelist” and look at clever transcriptions of some of his greatest pieces which can now be readily enjoyed on the harp. All levels, lecture and hands on, using the text, “Basically Bach” (available for optional purchase at the festival desk).

Taizé Music – Rhett Barnwell | Type: Hands-on | Level: Any | When: 7/19/2026 9:30am-11:00am
The Taizé Community in the Burgundy region of France has produced a repertoire of simple, meditative worship music which transcends musical styles and has become popular in the United States. This workshop will explore the origins of the Community, its mission and worship practices, and take an in-depth look at the repertoire. Taize music is ideal for use with the harp and other instruments, and the current editions and arrangements will be examined. The workshop concludes with participants playing for a “simulated” Taizé service, complete with candles and icons. Additional acoustic instruments, such as violin, flute, recorder, etc. are encouraged.

Playing for Church Without Losing Your Religion – Rhett Barnwell | Type: Hands-on | Level: Any | When: 7/18/2026 9:30am-11:00am
There may be no higher calling than when we are asked to play, or volunteer to play, for a religious service in a church or temple. For those for whom this may be a new experience, or for experienced church harpists who wish to get new ideas, this workshop is just for you! We will take a look at the practical side of playing in a religious setting, including a survey of major denominations and worship styles. The Liturgical Calendar will be explored, and we will see why “Salve Regina” will be a big hit at the local Catholic Church, but a bomb at First Baptist! Practical guides to repertoire, compensation, weddings, funerals and other aspects of playing in a sacred setting will be covered. Participants will be asked to volunteer to play something. Rhett will also include a piece for you to add to your repertoire.

“My Muse, tho’ hamely in attire, May touch the heart.” said Robert Burns. There is nothing ‘hamely’ about Debbie Brewin-Wilson’s artistry as a musician and singer, and the combination of these skills with her passion for Robert Burns results in music that echoes ‘the wood note wild’ as Burns describes the natural and unpretentious singing he liked best. An experienced performer and teacher, Debbie’s repertoire also includes many traditional Scots ballads and Scottish jigs, reels, and strathspeys as well. She is also an ordained priest in the Episcopal Church, her current congregation being in nearby Point Pleasant Beach, NJ. To date, she has three solo CDs, Dream of Caledonia, Roots and Wings, and Love Came Down at Christmas, a mix of original and traditional songs. Cofounder, with Kathy DeAngelo of the Harper’s Escape, she was on staff at the Escape for all of its 32 years and co-authored the Escape tunebooks, Ten Years of Tunes, Another Ten Years of Tunes and The Parting Glass). Debbie has also published three song and harp arrangement collections: Burns for Bairns and Wood Notes Wild and her newest Harp of My King, a compilation of Celtic Tunes New & Old for Christian Worship, which also includes a CD companion. She created our Basically Beginning program in 2009. Beginners will be particularly glad to have a chance to be in-person in her workshops this year. She will also be doing the Beginner group for the Harpers’ Escape at Somerset Sunday July 21. Check out an interview with Debbie on the HarpSong® Podcast Presenter Website: Debbie Brewin-Wilson

Beginner’s Basics – Debbie Brewin-Wilson | Type: Hands-on | Level: Nov.-Beg | When: 7/17/2026 1:00pm-2:30pm
New harpers or those who need a refresher should take this workshop so Debbie can guide you through the basics of hand position, placing, and playing. You’ll get lots of hands-on pointers and exercises to help you grow comfortable with your instrument and learn to play more fluidly.

Beginner’s Chord Basics – Debbie Brewin-Wilson | Type: Hands-on | Level: Nov.-Beg | When: 7/17/2026 3:15pm-4:45pm
If you’re having trouble getting your hands to cooperate with forming chord shapes, Debbie will demystify chord structures and reinforce the harp fundamentals you’ll need to become more fluent in playing chords. She’ll show you how to play your favorite tunes using a “lead sheet” , which is just music that displays a chord letter rather than using the bass clef for the left hand.

Beginner’s Coordination Basics – Debbie Brewin-Wilson | Type: Hands-on | Level: Nov.-Beg | When: 7/18/2026 9:30am-11:00am
Feeling that you can play one hand or the other but not both at the same time? This is common for beginning players. Debbie will review some of the basics to lay the groundwork, then focus on pointers, to help you get both hands working together. She’ll teach a tune to reinforce good playing technique with both hands, while reviewing chord structures at the same time.

Beginning by Ear – Debbie Brewin-Wilson | Type: Hands-on | Level: Nov.-Beg | When: 7/19/2026 9:30am-11:00am
Whether you’re a beginning player who can’t read music but want to expand your repertoire or you’re “paper trained” and want to learn to play by ear, this workshop will help you sort through the noise to identify skills to help make learning by ear easier. We’ll walk through some basics, break down a tune, and practice using an app to support the process.

Celtic Service – Debbie Brewin-Wilson | Type: Lecture | Level: Any | When: 7/19/2026 8:00am-9:00am
Debbie is our official pastor in residence! Join her for her Sunday morning worship service and make “a joyful noise”.

Add-On: Harpers’ Escape (Beginner) Thursday July 16, 2026 More Info on Harpers’ Escape Add-On

Colombian Harpist, Composer, and Entrepreneur Nicolás Castañeda Lozano embodies a new wave of Latin American musicians adept at seamlessly integrating innovation with tradition. His burgeoning career has been marked by a dual pursuit: expanding the horizons of Colombian harp performance and forging a contemporary musical identity through composition. Born in Bogotá, Colombia in 1989, Castañeda commenced his musical journey with Colombian percussion instruments, clarinet, and the Ilanera harp, delving deep into his country’s rich musical heritage. From his earliest performances, Castañeda garnered acclaim in national and international competitions, establishing a reputation for exceptional artistry. Presenter Website: Nicolas Castañeda

Introduction to the Llanera Harp and Traditional Styles – Nicolas Castañeda Lozano | Type: Hands-on | Level: Any | When: 7/16/2026 3:15pm-4:45pm
This session offers an introduction to the llanera harp and its role within llanera music. Participants will explore the basic characteristics of the instrument, cultural context, and general performance practices. The workshop focuses on one traditional llanera style, studying its rhythmic patterns, melodic language, and typical accompaniment techniques. The session provides a solid foundation for understanding the llanera harp tradition and its musical aesthetics.

Extended Techniques for the Llanera Harp – Nicolas Castañeda Lozano | Type: Hands-on | Level: Int. | When: 7/17/2026 9:30am-11:00am
This workshop focuses on extended techniques of the llanera harp and how these can be adapted and explored on folk and lever harps. Participants will experiment with unconventional sounds, textures, and playing methods derived from both traditional practices and contemporary approaches. The session encourages creative exploration and offers practical tools to expand the sonic possibilities of the harp beyond standard techniques.

Improvising Across Cultures: The Harp as a Global Instrument – Nicolas Castañeda Lozano | Type: Hands-on | Level: Any | When: 7/18/2026 1:00pm-2:30pm
Drawing on world music traditions and experimental practices, this workshop explores improvisation on the harp beyond jazz-based approaches. Informed by the instructor’s studies in world music in Finland, the session introduces tools for both structured and open improvisation that apply to folk, lever, and classical harps. Participants will develop creativity, deep listening skills, and personal musical expression through guided exploration and collaborative sound-making.

Latin-Inspired Chord Progressions and Bass Comping for Harp – Nicolas Castañeda Lozano | Type: Hands-on | Level: Int./Adv. | When: 7/19/2026 9:30am-11:00am
Drawing on Latin music traditions, this workshop explores chord progressions and bass comping techniques adapted specifically for the harp. Participants will study common harmonic movements, rhythmic feels, and left-hand comping patterns used in Latin genres, and learn how to apply them in both solo and ensemble settings. Designed especially for classical harpists looking to expand their rhythmic flexibility, the session emphasizes groove, coordination between bass and harmony, and developing versatile accompaniment approaches.

Long-time Somerset attendees undoubtedly know Kathy as the director of this festival from 2009-2022 and her legacy with the Harpers’ Escape that goes back to 1998.

In the mid-70s she began playing traditional Irish music at first on guitar, then on to fiddle and eventually playing the harp in 1984. She began teaching harp in South Jersey so she could have other people to play with which became the prime motivation in creating harp events and workshops.

Her focus is on teaching and playing  ‘by ear’. She performs with her husband Dennis Gormley as McDermott’s Handy and they’ve been inducted into 2 Irish music Halls of Fame. She’s co-authored 3 of the Harpers’ Escape tunebooks and helps lead the Harpers’ Escape Monday Play-Along every Monday on Zoom.

Kathy and Dennis were presented with the 2025 Somerset Folk Harp Festival Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Presenter Website: Kathy DeAngelo

4-Chord Sing-Along – Kathy DeAngelo | Type: Hands-on | Level: Any | When: 7/18/2026 3:15pm-4:45pm
Let’s hang out around our make-believe campfire and learn how to put a few simple accompaniment patterns to easy sing-along songs–without frying your brain! Finetune your harp GPS settings and learn to navigate between chords, regardless of what key you’re in. We’ll take the mystery out of transposing. We’ll have plenty of songs with choruses on our playlist. This is a great segue to play in the Saturday night session.

Having started the harp at age 24, Christy-Lyn Dose became obsessed with the instrument and quickly started performing with singing and harp all over Cape Town, appearing on The Voice South Africa a few years later.

As a performer, Christy-Lyn values connection through music over being ‘impressive’, and is especially drawn to songs with meaningful words that make us feel something.
 
Through connecting with adult harp students on her YouTube channel, she developed a passion for creating online resources to make it possible to learn harp well, no matter where you are in the world. She then created Learning the Harp, an extensive library of online courses and live group programs with a community of passionate adult learners around the world: www.learningtheharp.com.

With her upbeat, down-to-earth teaching style, Christy-Lyn makes things easy to understand and apply, gently breaking down complicated topics and helping students work through fears and inhibitions.
 
Christy-Lyn lives in Cape Town with her husband Jonny and her very active toddler Caleb.

Presenter Website: Learning the Harp

Reherasal Learning the Harp Ensemble for Lunchtime Concert – Christy-Lyn Dosé | Type: Hands-on | Level: Any | When: 7/16/2026 9:30am-11:00am
Reherasal for Thursday’s Lunchtime Concert

Singing & Harp: Getting Started – Christy-Lyn Dosé | Type: Hands-on | Level: Beg/Int | When: 7/19/2026 9:30am-11:00am
Do you dream of singing and playing but aren’t sure where to start? In this workshop Christy-Lyn will make it feel simple, and walk you through the first moments of playing while you sing, with lots of encouragement and support. You’ll also learn how to create your own simple accompaniments and choose a key that suits your voice perfectly. No musical knowledge or sheet music skills needed!

You’re Not a Slow Learner, You Just Don’t Know How to Practice – Christy-Lyn Dosé | Type: Hands-on | Level: Any | When: 7/16/2026 3:15pm-4:45pm
Do you make the same mistakes today, even if you practiced the piece yesterday? The problem isn’t you, it’s the way you’re practicing! In this workshop, Christy-Lyn will explain what’s going wrong, and how to practice in a way that actually works with how the brain learns new information. You’ll leave with a clear, practical checklist with the 5 elements of effective practice, so you can start practicing with confidence and see real progress!

Build a Toolkit for Easy Improvising – Christy-Lyn Dosé | Type: Hands-on | Level: Beg/Int | When: 7/17/2026 3:15pm-4:45pm
Does improvising sound like something only extra-talented people can do, or a special skill you just don’t have? Christy-Lyn will help it feel straight-forward and totally doable! This workshop will guide you through a clear step-by-step approach to improvising that’s easy to follow, even if you’ve always relied on sheet music. If you’re ever invited to play longer stretches of background music but don’t have enough songs… this workshop is your simple solution!

How to FINALLY Read Sheet Music Fluently! – Christy-Lyn Dosé | Type: Hands-on | Level: Any | When: 7/18/2026 3:15pm-4:45pm
Have you tried reading sheet music, but it never seems to stick? Do you find yourself slowly figuring out every note, or writing in letter names just to get by? In this workshop, Christy-Lyn will take you through her unorthodox method of “cheat reading” sheet music, which has helped so many students to finally become fluent. You’ll learn how to build a strong page-to-finger connection, how to read “words” instead of individual “letters”, and how to make it all finally click!

Edie Elkan is being honored this year with the 2026 Somerset Folk Harp Festival Lifetime Achievement Award.  Sometimes a particular experience will connect with existing skills in such a way that a person will embark in an entirely new but inspired path. Such is the case for Edie Elkan, who with a strong background in music, experience as a teacher of piano, and an early grounding in playing the harp, found herself first, returning to the harp to assuage her own grief, and then discovering that the harp was being used in medical environments which in turn led her to found Bedside Harp in 2002, a New Jersey, hospital-based harp therapy program. In 2005 Elkan was recognized by the Society for the Arts in Health Care for her work at the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital’s cancer center, where, in a research project, she discovered that patients who listened to live harp music while receiving chemotherapy were less anxious that those patients who did not. Edie has published Everything You Ever Wanted to Know (about Harp Therapy) and her master’s thesis: The Edie Elkan Method of Teaching Folk Harp as an Instrument of Healing. Also available is a 4-set CD Oodles of Noodles, a recording of a workshop on ‘noodling’ presented at Somerset. Listen to a panel discussion with Edie and other members of the Therapeutic Harp community on the Impact of Covid on Therapeutic Music Presenter Website: Edie Elkan

Oodles of Noodles – Edie Elkan | Type: Hands-on | Level: Any | When: 7/17/2026 1:00pm-2:30pm
This is an improv class for everyone at all levels—not just for therapeutic harpists. We start with basics and move to more seasoned improvisations. Yes, there will be handouts. Improvisation is a wonderful skill to cultivate—and it’s a true life saver when/if a tune you’re playing goes south.

Mindfulness for Performance Anxiety – Edie Elkan | Type: Hands-on | Level: Any | When: 7/16/2026 3:15pm-4:45pm
You know the feelings—racing heartbeat, sweaty palms, self-defeating thoughts—and those set in with just the thought of playing for others. You’re not alone. Learn some essential tools that just may transform such moments from dreaded to joyful.

How Music Works: Learning to Play Songs By Ear – Edie Elkan | Type: Hands-on | Level: Any | When: 7/17/2026 9:30am-11:00am
Attendees will learn that if they can hum a tune, they’ll be able to play it. We start with melodies and then we’ll move to harmony, choosing chords that suit us and also, left hand patterns. There will be handouts. The only notation we’ll use will be lead sheets to illustrate examples of how all music works. We will learn how to pull in melodies and then chord them—all by ear.

Bedside Tales: A Therapeutic Harp Story Share – Edie Elkan | Type: Lecture | Level: Any | When: 7/16/2027 1:00pm-2:30pm
Are you a therapeutic musician, or are you feeling called toward this meaningful work? This gentle, community-centered session offers a welcoming space for therapeutic musicians and aspiring practitioners to share stories, reflections, and lived experiences from the bedside—moments of connection, challenge, grace, and learning. The session will begin with reflections from Edie and will open into a community conversation, offering a rare opportunity for therapeutic musicians to connect through storytelling and shared understanding, with the hope of beginning a new Somerset tradition.

MAEVE GILCHRIST, harpist, singer, composer and producer

Described by one critic as “a phenomenal harp player who can make her instrument ring with unparalleled purity”, Maeve Gilchrist has taken the Celtic (lever) harp to new levels of performance and visibility. 

Born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland, and currently based in New York, Maeve‘s innovative approach to her instrument stretches its harmonic limits and improvisational possibilities. She is as at home as a soloist with an internationally renowned orchestra as she is playing with a traditional Irish folk group or using electronic augmentation in a more contemporary, improvisatory setting.

She tours internationally as a band leader, soloist and composer as well as belonging to a number of innovative collaborations including the prestigious Grammy award-winning Silkroad Ensemble (as a
performer/composer and Arooj Aftab’s Vulture Prince and Night Rein Ensemble (as a performer/arranger). She has appeared at such major music events as Newport Folk Fesival, Tanglewood Jazz Festival, Big Ears Festival, the World Harp Congress in Amsterdam and the historic opening of the Scottish Parliament. She has played with such luminaries as Yo-Yo Ma, Esperanza Spalding, Frankie Gavin, Am-
brose Akinmusire, Darol Anger, The Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Paul Simon.

Maeve has released five albums to date, including her most recent recording, The Harpweaver which was hailed by the Irish times in its five-star review as “Buoyant, sprightly and utterly beguiling….a snapshot of a musician at the top of her game.” Other albums include three recordings for the Adventure Music label including her 2017 release with bassist Viktor Krauss, Vignette and a self-released solo album, the Ostinato Project is a beguiling exploration of the possibilities of her instrument. In 2018

Maeve was a featured soloist on the Dreamworks blockbuster movie soundtrack, “How to Tame Your
Dragon: The Hidden World”.

Maeve was the first lever harpist to be employed as an instructor by her alma mater, Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she taught for five years before switching to being a visiting artist in 2018. She has written several instructional books published by Hal Leonard Music and 80 Days Publishing. She is also an in-demand composer and arranger, with past commissions including two ground-breaking concertos for Lever harp and Symphony Orchestra and several works for harp and string quartet including her three-movement piece Pastures Red premiered at the Edinburgh International Harp festival in 2018.

Maeve is the Artistic Director of the Rockport Celtic Festival and the Founder of The Hudson Valley Creative Harping Retreat.

She resides in Kingston NY with her husband, Logan and one year-old daughter, Ishka.

VIDEO LINKS:
(Maeve Gilchrist and Aizuri Quartet) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2koKs3qIqA&t=5s
(Maeve Gilchrist and Nic Gareiss) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncC8BRAWkVE

Listen to an interview with Maeve on the HarpSong® Podcast. Performer Website: Maeve Gilchrist

Effortless Technique 1 – Maeve Gilchrist | Type: Hands-on | Level: Beg./Int. | When 7/16/26 9:30am-11:00am
 Maeve will guide you through a series of exercises and practice suggestions honing in on the three facets of a well-rounded technique: linear work (scales), shape work (chords and arpeggios) and independent hand and finger exercises. Deconstructing as need be, she’ll present an accessible approach to technique with the idea that you will garner an understanding of how to develop these ideas in your own practice in a way that’s tailored to each unique musical vision. Kickstart your practice regime with a bucketload of practice tips and concepts that will keep you going for years to come!

Effortless Technique 2 – Maeve Gilchrist | Type: Hands-on | Level: Int./Adv. | When 7/16/26 1:00pm-2:30pm
 Maeve will guide you through a series of exercises and practice suggestions honing in on the three facets of a well-rounded technique: linear work (scales), shape work (chords and arpeggios) and independent hand and finger exercises. Deconstructing as need be, she’ll present an accessible approach to technique with the idea that you will garner an understanding of how to develop these ideas in your own practice in a way that’s tailored to each unique musical vision. Kickstart your practice regime with a bucketload of practice tips and concepts that will keep you going for years to come!

Textural Explorations: Excerpts from 12 Dances – Maeve Gilchrist | Type: Hands-on | Level Int./Adv. | When: 7/16/26 3:15pm-4:45pm
Later this year, Maeve will release her newest suite of music, 12 Dances and this class offers an exclusive early look. Drawing on excerpts from that forthcoming collection, Maeve will guide participants through a series of contrasting musical textures, weaving together the mechanics of harp playing with imagery, imagination, and technical facility.Designed for the more advanced player, this workshop lives at the exciting intersection of technique and creativity where the physical meets the expressive, and where great music-making truly begins.

Master Class with Maeve Gilchrist | Type: Hands-on/Lecture | Level: Adv./Observers Welcome | When: 7/17/26 9:30am-11:00am
Have you ever wished you could sit beside Maeve and just ask her everything? In this intimate 90-minute master class, a small group of six advanced players will work one-on-one with Maeve in front of a live audience receiving real-time coaching, honest feedback, and the kind of guidance that can shift the way you play. Participant spots are limited and must be applied for in advance.Observers are warmly welcomed and encouraged to bring their questions this session is as much a conversation as it is a coaching session. It’s especially well-suited for harp teachers looking to spark new ideas and watch the coaching process up close, but anyone who wants to learn, listen, and connect will find something valuable here.

Robbin Gordon-Cartier, our 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, brings her joy of the harp back for our 25th Anniversary.   Joyful, centered, and a consummate musician are words that describe the presence and playing of Robbin Gordon-Cartier. Dedicated early to the study of the harp, Gordon-Cartier spent long summers as a young harpist in Ireland studying at the Royal Irish Academy. Since then she has appeared nationally and internationally everywhere from Carnegie Hall to the National Symphony of Santo Domingo, at events honoring Lord Guinness, Cicely Tyson and Sir James Galway. She plays frequently at churches and gospel events. Robbin teaches an extensive and very successful harp program in the East Orange School District’s Cicely Tyson’s School of the Performing Arts where she works to bring the harp to the attention of a wide variety of young people, busting stereotypes. Her Cicely Tyson harp ensemble will be playing in our Friday lunchtime concert. Robbin led our Youth Harp Program in 2014 and 2015 and led the Teacher’s Symposium for 2 years. She has joined the faculty of Kean University in Union, NJ as Concert Artist/Adjunct Harp Faculty. Robbin has a CD out, Just As I Am. Check out Maureen’s interview with Robbin on The HarpSong® Podcast. Presenter Website: Robbin Gordon-Cartier

Weddings – From soup to nuts! – Robbin Gordon-Cartier | Type: Lecture | Level: Any | When: 7/16/2026 9:30am-11:00am
Say YES to the wedding gig! Performing for weddings can range from just a solo fifteen-minute prelude to the entire ceremony, cocktail hour and reception. What are the do’s and don’ts, how to select the music and how do you know when you are ready to say yes to these jobs.

Go Paperless with Digital Sheet Music – Robbin Gordon-Cartier | Type: Lecture | Level: Any | When: 7/17/2026 9:30am-11:00am
Explore the world of digital sheet music and how to make the switch from paper to tablet. Robbin will go over the basic starter pack and give tips and favorite shortcuts and enhancements to make going digital easy and helpful. Find out how liberating it is not dragging a case of music to a gig and having access to music that is not even in your paper library yet. You’ll get all the pointers in getting started, including how to convert music you already have, organizing tips, best practices for using the tablet in practice and at gigs and so much more.

Nerves of Steel Masterclass – Robbin Gordon-Cartier | Type: Hands-on | Level: Any | When: 7/18/2026 1:00pm-2:30pm
Does performing in public or even the idea of it send you into a tailspin of nerves? Has the pandemic gotten you out of practice? How will you work around the changes that come with age and illness? Let Robbin show you how to develop a routine that allows you to look forward to performing and sharing your gifts with others.

All That Jazz – Robbin Gordon-Cartier | Type: Hands-on | Level: Int. | When: 7/17/2026 1:00pm-2:30pm
Curious about jazz but not sure where to start? This workshop offers a playful yet practical introduction to jazz repertoire and improvisation for harpists. Explore feel, phrasing, and harmonic choices as you learn how to move beyond patterns toward more expressive, spontaneous music-making. Perfect for players looking to add a new stylistic dimension to their harp voice. 

Somerset Folk Harp Festival Ensemble Reherasal – Robbin Gordon-Cartier | Type: Hands-on | Level: Any | When: 7/16/2026-7/19/2026 8:00am-9:00am
Experience the joy of playing harp in a collaborative setting with the Somerset Folk Harp Festival Ensemble! This unique opportunity invites harpists of all levels to rehearse and perform together, fostering community through music. Led by Robbin Gordon-Cartier, the ensemble will meet daily from 8:00–9:00am Thursday through Sunday, culminating in a performance during the Sunday 12:00pm concert. Participants will receive music in advance to prepare for the festival. Bring your harp and join us for a rewarding and memorable musical experience!

Rachel Hair grew up in the Scottish Highland village of Ullapool and first discovered the harp through the inspiring work of the Gaelic arts organisation Fèis Rois, sparking a lifelong passion for Scottish traditional music.
Now based in the city of Glasgow, Rachel is known for her warm, energetic playing style and down-to-earth yet clear approach to harp teaching.  She has released seven albums and published seven books of harp music and in 2026 will finally record a much overdue second solo album.
Rachel primarily performs in a long-standing duo with Scottish guitarist Ron Jappy. Together they have toured worldwide, sharing their love of Scottish music and culture while happily blasting stereotypes of harp music with groove, drive, and plenty of musical mischief. She also performs in duo with Manx Gaelic singer Ruth Keggin, where together they exploring the rich musical traditions of the mysterious Isle of Man.
A passionate educator, Rachel has taught and performed at harp festivals across the globe and many Somerset attendees will know her from her lockdown HARP at HOME YouTube workshop series – and her now famed Somerset dresses! She teaches regularly on the Isle of Man and in the Netherlands and is a multiple nominee at the at the BBC Alba Scots Trad Music Awards.
Check out the HarpSong® Podcast interview with Rachel. Presenter Website: Rachel Hair

Manx Magic: Music & Culture from the Isle of Man – Rachel Hair | Type: Hands-on | Level: Any | When: 7/18/2026 3:15pm-4:45pm
The Isle of Man may be the smallest Celtic nation, but its music and stories are mighty. Rachel, an honorary Manxie after 18 years of island visits, a Manx husband, and her role as official Manx harp tutor, invites you to journey with her through live music, stories, and film as you explore Manx culture, music and language and pick up some irresistible traditional tunes from this magical island in the Irish Sea.

Joyful Jigs – Rachel Hair | Type: Hands-on | Level: Int/Adv | When: 7/16/2026 3:15pm-4:45pm
Don’t jigs sound just perfect on the harp? They’re Rachel’s favourite dance tunes to play, and in this feel-good class she’ll share some jigs that are not only fun and satisfying to learn but sound great on the harp. We’ll start by getting the right hand dancing comfortably around the strings, before adding in left-hand ideas to build joyful, harp-friendly arrangements. Before you know it, your hands will be dancing and your jigs will be bouncing with sparkle.

Scottish Laments and Airs – Rachel Hair | Type: Hands-on | Level: Beg/Int | When: 7/17/2026 9:30am-11:00am
Slow, expressive, and deeply moving, laments and airs hold some of the most beautiful melodies in the Scottish tradition. In this class, Rachel will teach tunes that sing on the harp, taking time to let the music breathe while working on phrasing, ornamentation, and simple left-hand ideas that support the melody without getting in the way. This is a chance to slow down, listen deeply, and discover how to make these haunting tunes truly speak on the harp.

Starting out Scottish Tunes: Scottish for Starters – Rachel Hair | Type: Hands-on | Level: Beg | When: 7/16/2026 1:00pm-2:30pm
Just beginning your Scottish harp journey? This class is the perfect place to start. Rachel will share some of the best-loved Scottish tunes that are well regarded in the tradition and fit beautifully on the harp. These are the kinds of melodies that, should you ever play them in Scotland, make people smile and say, “Aye! I ken that one!” (Translation: Ah yes, I know that one!) Along the way, you’ll build confidence, learn harp-friendly arrangements, and come away with tunes you’ll enjoy playing again and again.

Rachel’s Top Tunes – Rachel Hair | Type: Hands-on | Level: Int/Adv | When: 7/18/2026 9:30am-11:00am
Come and learn the tunes Rachel can’t stop playing right now. In this class, she’ll share a selection of favorite tunes, (maybe old, maybe new!), with arrangements that showcase her own personal playing style. Expect harp-friendly arrangements, musical ideas you can take away and use elsewhere and plenty of inspiration as you explore what makes these tunes special. A great chance to get inside Rachel’s musical world and add some new favourites to your own repertoire.

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.

Yoga for Harpists – Shyamali Hauth | Type: Hands-On | Level: Any | When: 7/16/2026 – 7/19/2026 8:00am-9:00am

Emily began playing harp in 2001 under the instruction of the late Jeanne Fintz-Goldstein, who was a member of The Angelaires and student of Carlos Salzedo. Emily was a part of The Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of NY, performing in Carnegie Hall in 2009, and is a 2012 member of MTA MUSIC (Music Under New York). She attended CUNY Hunter College and studied harp under the instruction of Alyssa Reit and graduated from the Muse Scholar Program with two Bachelor’s degrees in Music Performance and Media Studies. Emily is now a professional electroacoustic harpist, composer, and YouTuber who mixes the harp with emerging music technology, including pedal effects, modular synth, and other forms of sound manipulation. Her most recent notable work includes being a featured performer in the DreamWorks feature film Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (2023), and the composer for the soundtrack to Heavenly Vessel from The Line animation studio. ​ Emily works on all projects with her partner Russ, who is a professional audio engineer, and they are currently composing and recording for films, video games, and art installations together from their studio in Long Island, New York.

Presenter Website: https://www.emilyharpist.com/

Introduction to Harp and Technology – Emily Hopkins | Type: Lecture | Level: Beg | When: 7/16/2026 1:00pm-2:30pm
Confused about how to use a pick up? Not sure what a digital interface is, or how to use a drum machine? This is the perfect place to start if you’re interested in mixing your harp music with various music technology!

Pedalboards, Effect Pedals, & Amplification (Beginner) – Emily Hopkins | Type: Hands-on | Level: Beg | When: 7/18/2026 1:00pm-2:30pm
Whether you’re new to the world of effect pedals or are already using effects pedals, we will cover everything from patch cables to pedalboards! We’ll discuss the different kinds of effect pedals that are available and how to use them to enhance your performances, and there will be many different kinds of effect pedals to test out in person.

Recording and Refining the Harp Digitally – Emily Hopkins | Type: Lecture | Level: Int | When: 7/18/2026 3:15pm-4:45pm
Recording the harp can be tricky, whether you have a pickup built into your harp or not. We’ll cover the basics of recording using both microphones and interfaces, and we’ll discuss techniques and the equipment needed to make your recordings sound professional!

Pedalboards, Effect Pedals, & Amplification (Intermediate / Advanced)
– Emily Hopkins | Type: Lecture | Level: Any | When: 7/17/2026 3:15pm-4:45pm
If you are already using effects pedals and want some advice, we will cover everything from patch cables to pedalboards! We’ll discuss the different kinds of effect pedals that are available and how to use them to enhance your performances, and there will be many different kinds of effect pedals to test out in person.

Ask Me Anything: Harp & Tech Troubleshooting with Emily! – Emily Hopkins | Type: Hands-on | Level: Any | When: 7/16/2026 – 7/18/2026 11:30am-12:30pm (In Person Only)
Got questions about integrating technology with your harp? Whether you’re exploring effects pedals, MOOG synthesizers, or working with DAWs, Emily is here to offer personalized advice and troubleshooting. This hands-on, open-format workshop allows you to bring your own gear and dive into the specifics of your setup. Emily will guide you through challenges, suggest creative solutions, and provide expert tips to help you master the tech tools that can elevate your harp performances. Come ready to ask your questions and leave with new insights and inspiration!

Nancy Hurrell performs on historical harps in early music concerts and on modern harps for special events in New England. A consultant to the Boston museum for twenty years, she gives lecture-demonstrations on the MFA harp collection and has lectured at the Royal Irish Academy (Dublin), Birr Castle (Co. Offaly) and the Royal Academy of Music Museum (London). Her published articles appear in journals in the US and Ireland, and her book on John Egan, inventor of the modern Irish harp, is The Egan Irish Harps: Tradition, patrons and players (Four Courts Press, 2019). Nancy has taught Renaissance harp classes at Brandeis University, the Boston Conservatory, Tufts and Wellesley, and she has seven published books of harp arrangements.
Presenter Website: Nancy Hurrell

Renaissance Harp Ensemble – Nancy Hurrell | Type: Hands-on | Level: Beg/Int | When: 7/18/2026 9:30am-11:00am
Join a Renaissance harp ensemble and play music from the 15 th -17th Centuries arranged in multi-level harp parts. These performance ready ensemble arrangements have been performed by Nancy’s students in the Brandeis University Early Music Ensemble. This is a low-stress, fun, group playing experience. Advanced beginners and intermediate level; sight-reading is necessary.

Mystical Songs of the Middle Ages (harp and singing) – Nancy Hurrell | Type: Hands-on | Level: Any | When: 7/16/2026 3:15pm-4:45pm
The soaring music of Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179) from a thousand years ago and lyrical medieval songs instill a sense of calm in today’s stressful world. Improvise a meaningful accompaniment shadowing Hildegard’s vocal lines. Learn a hymn from the 14th century Italian Laudario di Firenze and a Cantiga de Santa Maria from the 13 th century Spain. All harp levels and singers welcome.

Renaissance Dance Party! – Nancy Hurrell | Type: Hands-on | Level: Beg/Int | When: 7/17/2026 3:15pm-4:45pm
Get ready for the Somerset Renaissance Ball on Friday night! Nancy will teach the dance steps and use recorded dance band music. We’ll learn the steps to the elegant pavane, jolly branles, and fiery Spanish canario. No costumes needed for this class. Dress in Ren garb for the Renaissance Ball on Friday night!

Hidden Historical Harps in Irish Castles and Museums – Nancy Hurrell | Type: Lecture | Level: Any | When: 7/19/2026 9:30am-11:00am
As a harp historian, author and consultant to the Boston museum, Nancy has been granted special access to examine historical harps in museum storage facilities and private collections in Ireland, Northern Ireland and the UK. This PowerPoint lecture reveals many splendid rare harps hidden from public view and explores their important role in Irish cultural history. Hear stories of her discoveries and experiences, from staying in an Irish castle to a private visit to the President of Ireland’s house.

Liza Jensen has studied harp maintenance and mechanics privately under the tutelage of master harp builders Pat Dougal and John Pratt. She has worked out in California with Triplett Harps and is a warranty repair service for their company. She is the only American woman to be invited by Jakez Francois, president of Camac Harps, the most innovative harp manufacturer in the world, to become a warranty repair service for their company. When she’s not working in her studio in New York City, Liza is globetrotting on her harp maintenance missions and has been all over the world. Since we’ll have her on-site and in-person (yay!) you’ll have the option to bring your harp to her for regulation and minor repairs. To schedule your harp regulation/repair with Liza on-site, click here to sign-up. To hear more about Liza’s harp journey, check out her interview on The HarpSong® Podcast. Presenter Website: Liza Jensen

Harp Regulation: Liza will be doing harp regulation at Somerset. Book your appointment with Liza at Harp Central.

DIY 1 Knot Tying – Liza Jensen | Type: Lecture | Level: Any | When: 7/16/2026 11:30am-12:30pm
Learn to Do It Yourself. Liza focuses on properly using your tuner and tuning your harp. Essential! Is there a difference between tuning with levers up or levers down? What about the difference between tuning loud or soft. Then what do you do when your lever buzzes when engaged? You gotta know this stuff.

DIY 2: Tuning – Liza Jensen | Type: Lecture | Level: Any | When: 7/17/2026 11:30am-12:30pm
Learn to Do It Yourself. Liza focuses on properly using your tuner and tuning your harp. Essential! Is there a difference between tuning with levers up or levers down? What about the difference between tuning loud or soft. Then what do you do when your lever buzzes when engaged? You gotta know this stuff.

Harp Regulation & Maintenance – Liza Jensen | Type: Lecture | Level: Any | When: 7/18/2026 11:30am-12:30pm
The mysteries of harp regulation will be completely resolved in this one workshop with our expert harp technician! Liza will answer your questions about what it means to have your harp regulated and all its associated concerns such as what happens to your harp as it ages and why the harp shifts. See what that looks like. Bring your harp to this workshop and see it for yourself. How old is too old for your strings to be on your harp? What are the top 5 reasons your harp will buzz? There are all sorts of things to be learned about your harp–no matter how long you’ve been playing you’ll learn all kinds of useful info in this workshop.

Erika Lieberman is a performing harpist, composer, and arranger with over 25 years of experience in early music and Celtic folk traditions. A fixture on the East Coast Renaissance festival circuit, she brings centuries-old tunes to life, reimagined through her own arrangements. Erika also teaches tune workshops, as well as sessions on practical subjects like copyright law and making a living as a freelance musician — knowledge drawn from her professional life as a harpist and her “other” life as a legal specialist. Beside’s Somerset, she’s taught at HarpFest New Zealand, with upcoming workshops scheduled for the the Music for Healing and Transition Program (September 2026) and as a guest teacher for Strings of Hope’s online harp school. Erika’s roots at Somerset run deep: she started here as a participant, then a presenter and performer before moving into festival leadership, where she now serves as Vice President and Secretary of the Board of Directors. Learn more at erikatheharpist.com

Karen Loomis, Assistant Director of the Historical Harp Society of Ireland, is a specialist in musical instrument research, with expertise in the historical harps of Ireland and Scotland. Dedicated to helping harp builders and musicians rediscover the sound world of the historical wire-strung harps of Ireland and Scotland, Karen has conducted groundbreaking studies using modern technology in order to unlock the secrets of the surviving instruments: the Queen Mary and Lamont harps of the National Museum of Scotland, and the18th-century Hollybrook harp at the National Museum of Ireland for the Historical Harp Society of Ireland. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and passion for these harps at workshops, and is a teacher and administrator for Acadamh na gCláirseach–Academy of Early Irish Harp. Presenter Website: Karen Loomis

Introduction to Wire-Strung Harp Fingering Techniques – Karen Loomis | Type: Hands-on | Level: Any | When: 7/17/2026 9:30am-11:00am
This workshop will introduce participants to the historical fingerings Irish harpers used to strike and damp the wire strings of their harps, making the most of the instrument’s beautiful resonance. We’ll learn some of the fundamental fingering techniques, and how to use these to play a traditional eighteenth-century Irish harp tune.

Historical Music of the Welsh Bards (beginners) – Karen Loomis | Type: Hands-on | Level: Any | When: 7/17/2026 1:00pm-2:30pm
Learn to play the bardic harp music of the Welsh cerdd dant tradition, which survives in the seventeenth century-century manuscript of Robert ap Huw. Workshop participants will be introduced to the fundamentals of how cerdd dant works, the figurations and how to play them, and how to read and understand the tablature. We’ll learn to play a lovely, simple piece from the manuscript.

Historical Music of the Welsh Bards (intermediate) – Karen Loomis | Type: Hands-on | Level: Int. | When: 7/18/2026 1:00pm-2:30pm
This workshop is for participants who already have some experience playing the bardic harp music of the Welsh cerdd dant tradition, which survives in the seventeenth-century manuscript of Robert ap Huw. Take a deep dive into the music and grow your knowledge and skills learning an advanced piece from the manuscript.

Horsehair Harp Strings – Karen Loomis | Type: Lecture | Level: Any | When: 7/18/2026 3:15pm-4:45pm
Harps have long held a place of importance in Welsh music, and a significant historical source of notated music survives in the early seventeenth-century manuscript of Robert ap Huw. This bardic harp music predates the Welsh triple harp that is usually associated with Wales, however. Earlier Welsh harps had a single rank of strings, and in the fifteenth to seventeenth centuries, would have bray pins to produce a buzzing sound. Gut would have been a typical string material, but Welsh sources particularly mention harps with strings of horsehair. Today, gut-strung bray harps are available for performance of early harp repertory, and can be heard on a number of recordings, including selections from the Robert ap Huw manuscript. But what would it be like to play this early Welsh harp music on a horsehair strung harp, and how would it sound? In this workshop, participants will explore the differences between gut and horsehair strings, hear how this early Welsh repertoire sounds on horsehair, and learn how to make harp strings from horsehair.

Cuban-born Alfredo Rolando Ortiz is one of the world’s foremost performers of the Paraguayan harp, renowned for his multicultural repertoire spanning folk, classical, and popular music, as well as his original compositions. Alfredo began playing the Venezuelan folk harp at 15, shortly after emigrating to Venezuela, and transitioned to the Paraguayan harp just months later. He used his musical talents to support his medical studies, ultimately blending his expertise in music and medicine.

Dr. Ortiz’s background in music therapy and sensory motor integration informs his innovative body/harp workshops, which have inspired harpists worldwide. His compositions and publications are widely performed in schools and harp ensembles around the globe. In 2008, he was commissioned by the Tenth World Harp Congress to compose a piece performed by 232 harpists at the Congress.

In 2011, Alfredo was honored with the Somerset Folk Harp Festival’s first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his 50 years of contributions to the harp community. When not performing with orchestras or recording, he presents lectures, masterclasses, and concerts internationally, sharing his profound knowledge and passion for the harp.

Presenter Website: Alfredo Rolando Ortiz

Play Betterrrrrrr Play Fasterrrrrr While Preventing Injury – Alfredo Rolando Ortiz | Type: Lecture | Level: Any | When: 7/16/2026 1:00pm-2:30pm
Did you know Alfredo is also a medical doctor with specialized training in Music Therapy and sensory-motor learning? In this workshop, he shares practical, body-aware strategies to improve technique, ease difficult passages, and help prevent or correct playing-related pain, including tendonitis. Learn how to build good habits by focusing on the right physical sensations, eliminate inefficient movements, and explore tools such as the “Ortiz squeeze.” Especially valuable if you’re experiencing discomfort—but beneficial for professionals, teachers, and students at all levels. Presented worldwide at major harp events.

Play Betterrrrrrr Play Fasterrrrrr While Preventing Injury – Alfredo Rolando Ortiz | Type: Lecture | Level: Any | When: 7/17/2026 3:15pm-4:45pm
Did you know Alfredo is also a medical doctor with specialized training in Music Therapy and sensory-motor learning? In this workshop, he shares practical, body-aware strategies to improve technique, ease difficult passages, and help prevent or correct playing-related pain, including tendonitis. Learn how to build good habits by focusing on the right physical sensations, eliminate inefficient movements, and explore tools such as the “Ortiz squeeze.” Especially valuable if you’re experiencing discomfort—but beneficial for professionals, teachers, and students at all levels. Presented worldwide at major harp events.

Learn Two of Alfredo’s Favorite Compositions: Habanera Gris & Danza de Luzma – Alfredo Rolando Ortiz | Type: Hands-on | Level: Beg./Adv. | When: 7/18/2026 1:00pm-2:30pm
Discover accessible fingerings, clear accompaniment patterns, and rhythmic approaches that make these beloved pieces come alive. In this workshop, Alfredo breaks down two of his most popular compositions—Habanera Gris and Danza de Luzma—focusing on ease of technique, groove, and musical flow. These works are already favorites of thousands of harpists worldwide, with hundreds of performances shared on YouTube. Learn what makes them so playable, so satisfying, and so widely loved—and take home practical tools you can apply to your own repertoire.

Make Your Harp Sound Like a Mandolin or Balalaika: The Paraguayan Trino – Alfredo Rolando Ortiz | Type: Hands-on | Level: Int./Adv. | When: 7/18/2026 9:30am-11:00am
Learn how to make your harp sound like a mandolin or balalaika using the famous Paraguayan Trino, a unique and beautiful technique drawn from South American harp traditions. Alfredo has presented this workshop at international pedal and lever harp events for many years, and for the first time at Somerset, he will focus exclusively on teaching this signature technique in depth. If time allows, Alfredo will also introduce additional fun and special techniques to expand your expressive toolkit. YouTube samples can be found searching with the words “ORTIZ ZAYANTE” or “LLEGADA PEREZ CARDOZO” (don’t be intimidated by the speed … it can be done “SLOWLIER”

Karen Peterson is a harp coach, Certified Music Practitioner (CMP), and author of Enjoy the Modes and Enjoy the Dorian Mode. With over 25 years of experience, she teaches harp online via videoconference, specializing in pedal, lever, and double-strung harps. Karen is passionate about helping adult learners find joy and confidence in their harp-playing journey.

A graduate of the Music for Healing and Transition Program, Karen provides therapeutic music at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, NJ. She plays at the bedside of patients and for staff across ICU, oncology, and other hospital units, creating soothing and restorative musical experiences.

Karen also arranges and publishes music, with a particular focus on the double-strung harp. Her instructional books help harpists explore creative approaches to music through modes and improvisation.

 Presenter Website: Karen Peterson

Enjoy the Double-Strung Harp: Ask Me Anything – Karen Peterson | Type: Lecture | Level: Any | When: 7/16/2026 11:30am-12:30pm
Never tried a double? Just bought one and don’t know what to do? Looking for inspiration after owning one for years? Karen draws from almost two decades of experience on the double-strung harp to answer any and all of your questions. Learn easy ways to make your music sound double-y. Find out how to make single-course sheet music work for your double. Conquer “double vision” when looking at the strings. Harps from the vendor hall will be available to try out.

Got Modes? – Karen Peterson | Type: Hands-on | Level: Any | When: 7/17/2026 11:30am-12:30am
Use your levers to hear exactly what makes Ionian different from Mixolydian, Aeolian different from Dorian, and more. Spice up your technical exercises by putting them in a different mode. Learn the flavor notes and two essential chords that give the characteristic sound to each mode. Past attendees of this workshop say this is what finally allowed them to “get modes.” We’ll also touch on how to choose a mode for different types of patients. F# and C# levers will be used. No music theory necessary.

Nia Pierce is back at Somerset leading the Youth Harp Program!

Nia’s Somerset journey began nine years ago when she performed with the inaugural Somerset youth ensemble as a high school student, under the direction of her harp teacher, Mrs. Robbin Gordon-Cartier. She recently graduated from The College of New Jersey, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education with a focus on the harp. During her time in college, Nia received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Governor’s Award in Arts and Education, the NAACP Freedom Fund Award for Arts Education and Activism, and Spectacular Magazine’s Emerging Leader of the Year.

Nia is passionate about sharing her love of music with others and has worked as a music teacher in the East Orange School District for two years. During that time, she directed the elementary music and harp program at Ecole Toussaint L’ouverture. Nia also mentors young harpists and musicians at her old high school and in other programs, and takes pride in being able to give back to the community that helped shape her into the person she is today.

Currently, Nia works at Princeton University where she advises and mentors undergraduate students. In the fall, she will pursue a Master of Arts in Education Policy at Columbia University’s Teachers College. With her degree, Nia hopes to combine her passion for education, advocacy, and music to help inspire the next generation of leaders.

Youth Harp Program – Nia Pierce | Type: Hands-on | Level: Any | When: 7/16/2026 1:00pm-2:30pm
Day 1 in-person, on-site only

Youth Harp Program – Nia Pierce | Type: Hands-on | Level: Any | When: 7/16/2026 3:15pm-4:45pm
Day 1 in-person, on-site only

Youth Harp Program – Nia Pierce | Type: Hands-on | Level: Any | When: 7/17/2026 9:30am-11:00am
Day 2 in-person, on-site only

Youth Harp Program – Nia Pierce | Type: Hands-on | Level: Any | When: 7/17/2026 1:00pm-2:30pm
Day 2 in-person, on-site only

Youth Harp Program – Nia Pierce | Type: Hands-on | Level: Any | When: 7/18/2026 9:30am-11:00am
Day 3 in-person, on-site only

Youth Harp Program – Nia Pierce | Type: Concert | Level: Any | When: 7/18/2026 11:30am-12:15pm
Lunchtime Concert

Youth Harp Program – Nia Pierce | Type: Hands-on | Level: Any | When: 7/18/2026 1:00pm-2:30pm
Day 3 in-person, on-site only

Youth Harp Program – Nia Pierce | Type: Hands-on | Level: Any | When: 7/19/2026 9:30am-11:00am
Day 4 in-person, on-site only

We are thrilled to welcome back Adriano Sangineto. An Italian musician, composer and arranger specializing in Celtic Harp whose energy is infectious. He graduated from the Milan Conservatoire where he studied clarinet and experimental composition. Adriano spent his youth in his father Michele Sangineto’s luthiery where he met and was inspired by numerous musicians, such as Nicanor Zabaleta, Alan Stivell, Derek Bell, Carlos Nunez and more. In 2002 he started playing the Celtic harp. As a self-taught harpist he embarked on the path of free experimentation in the most diverse musical fields: from ancient to modern music, passing through classical music, new age, pop, and re-evaluating Italian and European popular music with original arrangements. Adriano also composes for soundtracks, theater, and advertising and has released 13 albums (as a soloist and with his bands) and numerous collaborations with artists from the Italian and European scene. Presenter Website: Adriano Sangineto Band Website:  www.visualharp.com

Mediterranean Folk Music: Feel the Pulse through Dance & Singing – Adriano Sangineto | Type: Hands-on | Level: Int/Adv | When: 7/16/2026 3:15pm-4:45pm
In this workshop, you’ll explore irregular and asymmetric rhythms rooted in Mediterranean and modal folk traditions. Through movement, clapping, singing, and hands-on playing, you’ll learn how to feel complex meters—such as 5, 7, and 9—as natural, flowing grooves rather than mathematical patterns. Working with modal melodies and original folk-inspired compositions, we’ll connect rhythm, mode, and phrasing to unlock the expressive power of these traditions. Ideal for intermediate to advanced harpists and musicians who wish to deepen their rhythmic awareness and expand their folk language in unconventional time signatures.

Harp Soundscapes: Composing with Lever Harp and Electronic Effects – Adriano Sangineto | Type: Hands-on | Level: Int. | When: 7/18/2026 1:00pm-2:30pm
Step beyond the strings and into a world of limitless sound possibilities! You will explore the creative process of writing music by combining the traditional lever harp with electronic effects. Adriano will guide you through using effects (such as delay, reverb, distortion, etc), and electronic pads to enrich the harp’s sound, and creating unique & original atmospheres. We will cover techniques for blending electronic sounds with both traditional and modern melodies, using tools like loopers, pedals, and MIDI controllers to enhance compositions. Participants will have the opportunity to improvise and compose in real-time, crafting original soundscapes that merge harp and technology. Electronic pedals are not required, but if students have some which they want to test, they are very welcome to bring them.

Italian Harp Tradition of the Viggianese Harp – Adriano Sangineto | Type: Hands-on | Level: Int. | When: 7/17/2026 1:00pm-2:30pm
Discover the unique Italian folk harp tradition of Viggiano (Basilicata), the only place in Italy with a true popular harp heritage. Learn selected traditional tunes focusing on rhythm, phrasing, and ornamentation. A hands-on exploration of a rare and historically rich repertoire. For intermediate to advanced lever harp players.

Learn one of Adriano’s Compositions – Adriano Sangineto | Type: Hands-on | Level: Int./Adv. | When: 7/18/2026 9:30am-11:00am
Learn one of Adriano’s original compositions for harp, rooted in rhythm, groove, and contemporary musical language. Explore layered textures, strong pulse, and modern harmonic ideas. Develop rhythmic awareness and expressive freedom on the harp. For intermediate to advanced harp players.