Weddings. Something old, something new.

I strive to deliver a memorable musical experience that reflects a couple's tastes and ideas.

I'll be pleased to work with you to select a program of music that is well-suited to the occasion and the attributes of my instruments. The piano and celtic harp are beautiful and adaptable wedding instruments. With amplification, my Salvi Egan harp is a perfect choice for outdoor weddings, with a clear, expansive sound. I'm also happy to perform with a flutist or other instrumentalist.

My music can also be used for the reception or cocktail hour prior to dinner, for example. However, most wedding couples favor my playing for the gathering of the guests through the processionals, and then again for the post-ceremony recessional. This is what my standard rates are based upon.

Events. Celebrations aren't meant to be quiet.

The list of events enhanced by the Celtic harp and piano goes on and on. Holidays are always more festive with music!

I’ve been called upon to play New Year’s Eve, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, birthday celebrations, Spring garden parties, store openings, open houses, historical milestones, wine tastings, bed & breakfast cocktail hours, socials and thematic events at retirement communities. And I'm sure my clients will continue to surprise me with new celebrations that music can help make memorable.

Lessons. The gift of music can last a lifetime.

Piano

The piano is my first love, and I can say without hesitation that it is the "Gateway Instrument": once a student has a firm foundation at the piano and can read music, the musical directions available to them are limitless. I prefer starting students at age 7, when most children are capable of paying attention for a 30-minute span without difficulty. Occasionally, however, I will take on a student younger than this, depending on the circumstances.

Every student has a different style of learning. Those who study with me can count on patient instruction that adapts to their needs. Most of my students benefit from the Michael Aaron method of Grades 1 through 5, which gives them a broad, firm background, taking them from beginning through intermediate levels of skill. After that, we work on a more advanced repertoire while incorporating Hanon and Czerny studies.

It is very important to acquire the correct hand position early on in one’s piano career; bad habits are hard to break. This is main reason I sincerely ask my students to make time for weekly lessons, and to take at least 15-30 minutes daily to practice.

Celtic Harp

The Celtic harp’s qualities are akin to taking strings out of the piano and plucking them directly: direct action of ones fingers on strings is different from the hammers of the piano intervening between you and the string! Again, proper hand position and finger utilization are essential to moving forward with your playing of Celtic harp music. It is a very accessible instrument to learn to play and to play well. I utilize the Sylvia Woods method, augmented by the Deborah Friou exercises, or an alternate curriculum if my student does not already read music.

Again, I try to discover how best to reach the pedagogical heart of a student; by this I mean how best to teach this individual to acquire the most benefit within the shortest timeframe. It still takes time to form a Celtic harper, but commitment will yield a lovely skill with which you will surely delight countless others.