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Frank Voltz - Stella Benson - Hillary Williamson - Ed Kavanagh - Sandra & Larry Levesque
by Frank Voltz
When I was invited to be a performer and clinician at the Northern Lights Harp Festival (NLHF), I was very excited. But when I arrived in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada for the first time, I was spellbound. To say that the culture, talent, and atmosphere were different from what I was used to and expected would be an understatement. First of all, Ottawa is a beautiful city—full of charm and history. The Delta Ottawa Hotel was very accommodating and all events were on one floor. No inconvenient harp moves required and when harps were not in use, they were stored securely in the "harp corral."
The concert on Friday night was very eclectic. Stella Benson introduced herself as a healing harpist, not an entertainer, and announced, "I’m just going to pretend you’re all sick, and I’m here to help." Everyone laughed and then enjoyed her enchanting story interspersed with harp solos. Then Robin Grenon and Gisele Guibord performed harp duos on Paraguayan harps. Their flawless execution was only outshined by their musical selections. Have you ever heard the Beatles played on two Paraguayan harps? It was astonishing. I closed the evening’s concert with four short sets: Christian, original compositions, Christmas, and Pop. I moved "a few" levers—that’s what I do. We definitely covered all styles of music except Celtic that night.
The following evening, Lucile Hildesheim, Sharlene Wallace, and Kim Robertson were the featured artists. However, their concert had a unique twist. Instead of each playing a short solo concert, they joined each other on stage and began playing a trio, and then they would come and go on and off the stage playing solo sets, duets, and trios. The stage became a "revolving door" of talent. One harp, two harps, three harps—back and forth all evening. It was a unique experience for everyone to enjoy. My personal favorite was the dueling harps: Celtic (Kim) vs. Latin (Sharlene) at the same time. It was priceless (and hysterical). After the concert, they said they had played it once before, but I think it was history in the making!
One of the thrills of teaching workshops here (in Ottawa) was seeing harps that are manufactured all over the world. Even with 30 harps in the room, there were rarely two harps by the same manufacturer. Although every harp has its own unique tone quality, it was glorious to hear them all playing together simultaneously. In the U.S., you see many harps by the same manufacturer but in Canada, it’s exactly the opposite. I have been playing the harp for many years and was introduced to many different makes and models for the first time. This harp conference became a total learning experience for me.
Meeting harpists for the first time is always the pinnacle of every harp conference. Every concert, every workshop, every meal together, every chat in the hallway—people bonded and made new friendships or relished seeing old friends. Although this was the second NLHF, it was well organized and catered to the wants and needs of every harpist who attended.
Look for the next NLHF in 2013!
Frank
by Stella Benson
The Northern Lights Harp Fest was held in Ottawa, the capital of Canada. I felt it was a pretty laid back and low-keyed city. And the hotel where the event was held was superb. But it was the people that made the difference. Through out the weekend, folks were like wide-eyed children in a candy store, or my husband when he goes into Home Depot, or me when I go into a yarn store. It seemed that everyone was energized with excitement and eagerness.
The Northern Lights Harp Fest was filled with enthusiastic attendees, presenters, vendors and performers. I was particularly impressed by the caring, sincere and loving energy prevalent throughout. Attendees in my workshops were intent on learning as much as they could, willing to whole-heartedly ask questions and come forward with comments.
Other presenters and performers were Gisèle Guibord & Robin Grenon who performed a delightful collection of tunes on their Paraguayan harps, including Beatles. As Frank Voltz writes "It was astonishing," and I agree. Lucile Brais Hildesheimn was very moving performing her own pieces with bottomless love, beauty and such gentleness that would break your heart. Kim Robertson, was incredible with her lively and spirited tunes, so awesome you leave amazed as how some one could be so incredible and without a score in front of her. Sharlene Wallace presented a delightful and vivacious set; with amazing charge and speed she leaves you breathless. Lucile, Kim and Sharlene were the headliners and presented a threesome, which was filled with fun energy and musical jousting. Frank was delightful explaining his tunes with his grand smile and humorous way; his set was varied which included hymns and jazz, a captivating performance.
Thank you so very much to Don Peddle, Chantal Dupuis, Margaret Lepage and one of my favorite graduates of the International Healing Musician’s Program, Joanne Griffin. Congratulations for an amazing and successful event!
Stella
by Hillary Williamson
Though I've been in love with the idea of playing the harp since the 60s - when I read Patricia Finney's A Shadow of Gulls (a brilliant story that is centered on a talented harper and brings old Ireland to life) and listened to Alan Stivell's wonderful Renaissance of a Celtic Harp - I only started plucking strings and taking lessons this year.
On my first lesson, I was intrigued by a flyer about the Northern Lights Harp Fest. I signed up with a great deal of trepidation, even with my teacher’s encouragement to attend. And she was right to spur me on, despite my being the ultimate newbie! (Actually I met one other participant who'd been playing for less than six months, what a relief!)
The Harp Fest was inspiring, intimidating and exhausting, but well worth the time and energy. It was remarkably well organized, with impressive attention to detail (I've been to all kinds of international scientific conferences over the years that were not as well handled.) And the atmosphere was very friendly, warm and helpful. I really wasn't sure what to expect. I imagined a (pre-Katrina) New Orleans experience packed into the hotel, with musical jam sessions on every corner. Well, there were harpists accompanying registration, not to mention evening jam sessions and extraordinary concerts. WOW! The fluidity of the players' hands was amazing to watch, while the range of sounds and styles they produced was awesome.
But most of participants' time was divided into seminars which went as follows: "Seek directions from a smiling volunteer. Lug harp, stand, and assorted stuff into a crowded room. Pick a spot. Set up, tune ... ah, here's the presenter. Listen. Get started on an exercise. I can actually do this! But now it's speeding up. Oops, lost me. Trying again ... and again ... well, I'll practice this one at home!"
After struggling to keep up with seminar exercises, I was even more nervous about the evening jam session, but slunk in anyway. Though I'd practiced some of the pieces, I ended up having to play most one handed. It was like chasing a moving train in a car – stayed with it for a while; lost it in the woods; found and followed along again; then it chugged into a tunnel and lost me completely. Surprisingly I enjoyed it. I learned a great deal from the Harp Fest … like how many harps will fit into a hotel elevator. I now know what a Paraguayan harp looks like. Then there was the Sue/Susan/Susie/Suzanne factor for door prizes (which, btw, were never-ending) - either Sue is a lucky name or it's a significant factor in the harping demographic. And I acquired plenty of tips and exercises that will help focus my practice.
Do I recommend a Harp Fest to other novices? All I can say is that I'm very glad I attended, though it was also clear to me that those with more experience (and some had been playing for decades!) were getting commensurately more out of the seminars. So if you're just starting, take your courage in both hands and sign up for the next one - you won't be the only beginner; I'll be back too. Now I've gotta go; off to practice my guarania.
Hilary Williamson, Val-des-Monts, October 2011
by Ed Kavanagh
I just wanted to say thanks for everything. I had a lovely time at the festival. It gave me a needed spark and I picked up some useful tips. And everyone was very friendly and helpful.
Thanks again. You guys did a great job. The Festival was all I was hoping it would be.
All the best,
Ed
by Sandra & Larry Levesque
What a wonderful adventure to be part of the Northern Lights Harp Festival. The world of harps has embraced us & life is filled with wonder.
Who knew? We met some wonderful people who share our love and appreciation of the spirit of the harp. We were introduced to the many different sounds of harp and the gift of listening to beautiful music played by various gifted performers. I learned so many new things this weekend which makes me very excited to continue to play and grow. I've learned that this is a life long journey as there is always something new to learn at the harp.
Thank you for all of your hard work. We look forward to the next harp festival in 2013.
Sandra and Larry
