Somerset Folk Harp Festival

Dedicated to expanding and 

connecting the folk harp community 

around the world. 

July 20 - 23 

Parsippany, NJ

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23rd somerset folk harp festival 

11th Lifetime achievement award 

Deborah Henson-Conant 

“A volcano of constantly bubbling 

creativity” is how Jakez Francois 

President of Camac Harps describes 

Deborah Henson-Conant. Anyone who 

has spent even five minutes with Deborah 

will get a sense of her bottomless well of 

inspiration. Her dedication to the harp 

and sharing that love and passion with 

others is palpable. 

PHOTO CREDIT: 

© Jake Jacobson 

Instrument: “DHC” Electric Harp (CAMAC Harps) 

Go to one of her classes or performances 

and you can’t help but be roused. She 

is endlessly encouraging and is equally 

at home teaching a workshop as she is 

performing on stage. Deborah has been a 

steller member of the Somerset family for 

around a decade and her star truly shines. 

I reached out to Jakez Francois, President of Camac Harps and he had this to say: 

I can speak for many European harpists of my generation in saying that Deborah Henson-Conant was a sensational discovery! I would go so 

far as to describe her as a musical,aesthetic, psychological and emotional sensation. At the time of her famous concert at the 1990 World 

Harp Congress (Paris, France), Deborah was pioneering a new musical genre fusing jazz and entertainment. Aesthetically, she was the first 

harpist who dared to go on stage completely ignoring classical norms. The way she challenged harp traditions resulted in a psychological 

Before- and After Deborah. Emotionally, I was lucky enough to meet her, thanks to Camac’s founder Joël Garnier. I am privileged to count 

her among my dearest friends in the harpist community. Deborah is a volcano of constantly bubbling creativity. In every discussion with her, 

I can see in her eyes that she is full of constantly spinning ideas. One idea leading to another, this is how her amazing idea for a portable 

electric harp was born. She experimented firstly for years on her own, then with Joël Garnier, and finally I had the opportunity to bring the 

project to fruition. The famous “DHC” harp now proudly bears her name.Dear Deborah, I am very proud to be associated with this Lifetime 

Achievement Award presented to you by the Somerset Festival. The harp would not be what it is today if you had not opened all these 

doors, and shown us the harp belongs to all styles, on all stages and in all creative contexts. We harpists and harp makers are indebted to 

you, for what you have given us is now an integral part of our creative DNA. On behalf of all harpists and harp makers, I thank you. And… I 

look forward to hearing your next idea! 

-Jakez Francois, President 

Camac Harps 

23rd Somerset Folk Harp Festival | 2023

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05 

Festival Layout & 

Hotel Map 

07 

Festival Schedule 

July 21 - 24 

08 

Special Events 

10 

2023 Festival Presenters 

18 

Online Festival Schedule 

19 

Exhibitor List & Exhibitor Hall 

20 

What You Need To Know 

Presented by: 

Moon Over the Trees Music and Theatre Productions® 

Somerset Folk Harp Festival 

228 E. Route 59, Ste 419 

Nanuet, NY 10954 

USA 


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Come to Somerset and get inspired! 

This year we are starting a new Somerset 

tradition where we will showcase an artist 

from a different country that has a harp 

tradition. This year we begin our journey in 

Ireland. I‘m so excited to share this beautiful 

artwork by Sorrell Reilly. During my podcast 

interview with Aisling Lyons on HarpSong® 

we spoke about the lovely artwork on her 

newest album, “Aistear“ and it‘s been in 

the back of my mind ever since. (Btw, Aisling 

will be joining us from Ireland on the second 

weekend of the festival: July 29-30.) 

Sorrell‘s image invokes the beauty of the 

land, the music, and the harp and how the 

music and the musician grow out of the 

land. If you love this image we have some 

items available on the website and we‘ll 

have posters and other limited edition items 

available as well. 

Maureen Buscareno 

Festival Director 

official artwork 

2023 Festival 

Artwork by 

Sorrell Reilly | Co. Clare, Ireland 


2023 Somerset herp festival schedule 

July 20 - 23, 2023 | on-site and online 

THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2023 

Salon 1 Salon 4 Concert Hall Troy Hills 11 Room 5 Room 3 Room 7 Room 8 Room 9 Room 10 Room 4 Rm 1 

9:30-11am 

1-2:30pm Add-on: Hambly: 

Escape, Adv 

3-4:30pm Add-on: Hambly: 

Escape, Adv 

PM 

Add-on: Jackson: 

Escape, Int. 

Add-on: Jackson: 

Escape, Int. 

Maeve: Effortless 

technique I (Beg.) Add-on: Shelly 

Fairplay 1-5pm 

Maeve: Effortless 

technique II (int. 

/adv.) 

Add-on Shelly 

Fairplay 1-5pm 

CONCERT at 7: 

00pm 7:00pm Reception after concert in Festival Lobby 

Pierce: Youth 

Program Day 1 

Ortiz: Protection 

from Injury 1 

Hair: Scottish 

Ceilidh Dancing in 

Salons 2&3 9: 

30pm 

Bunn: Doublestrung 

harp 

improv techniques 

in therapy settings 

Staneslow: The 

Art of Practicing 

Tolosa: 

Venezuelan 

Caribbean 

Rhythms: Joropo 

Add-on: Brewin- 

Wilson: Escape, 

Beg. 

Add-on Brewin- 

Wilson: Escape, 

Beg. 

LIZA Harp 

Regulation 

FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2023 

9:30-11am Gannon: Irish 

Dance Music: 

Dancing the tune 

Lunch Jaque Davison: 

"Internet for 

Harpers 12:00-12: 

30pm 

1-2:30pm Hambly: From 

Scotland to Ireland 

3-4:30pm Gannon: Irish 

Music: 

Discovering the 

Music of the Petrie 

Collection 

Jackson: Messing 

with Chords 

Exhibit Hall 

Opens! 11am 

Hair: Mannin 

Aboo! 

Hair: Harpy-golucky 

Henson-Conant: 

Tell Your Story 

with Music 

Lunchtime 

Concert 11:30am- 

12:15pm Festival 

Lobby 


Sing and Play 

Jackson: 

Accompanying 

Other Instruments 

Maeve: Create a 

Singing Tone 

Small Harp 

Tasting 12-12: 

45pm Salon 4 

Maeve: Waltz 

Through Lever 

Changes 

Staneslow: 

Christmas in July 

Events CONCERT at 7:00pm Harpers' Escape 

Play-Along 

Salon 4 at 9:30pm 

Sangineto: Italian 

Dance Music: 

Getting the 

Groove (beginner) 

Fairplay: Beauty of 

Simplicity 

Robertson: 

American Ballads 

& Airs 

Somerset's Got 

Talent Festival 

Lobby at 9:30pm 

Pierce: Youth 

Program Day 2 

Pierce: Youth Harp Day 2 Robertson: 

Inspired Arranging 

Elkan: Creating a 

Cradle of Sound 

Bunn: Playing 

Your Music for 

Single Strung 

Harp on a Double 

Hurrell: Playing 

Weddings of 

Different Faiths 

Hurrell: Spanish 

Harp's Fiery 

Improvs & 

Sublime Fantasias 

Gordon-Cartier: 

Let the Spirit Move 

You 

Ortiz: Latin Harp 

Special Effects 

Carter: 

Storytelling and 

the Harp 

Patton: 

Troubadour songs 

for harp 


Dance Music: 

Getting the 

Groove 

(intermediate) 

Tolosa: Ancient 

Romantic music 

from Venezuela 

Brewin-Wilson: 

Beginner's Basics 

Jensen: DIY Knot 

Tying 11:30am- 

12pm 


Beginner's Chord 

Basics 

SATURDAY, JULY 22, 2023 

9:30-11am Hambly: Carolan & 

the Music of the 

Harper Composers 

Lunch Erika Lieberman: 

12-12:30pm 

The Modern Bard: 

Marketing 

Methods 

1-2:30pm Hambly:Irish 

Dance Music: 

Technique and 

Style 

3-4:30pm Gannon: 

Arranging Irish 

Slow Airs 

Hair: Highland 

Harpbeat 

Exhibit Hall 

Opens! 11am 

Jackson: 

Arranging Pipe 

and Fiddle Tunes 

for Harp 


Play Along Songs 

for Kids 

Lunchtime 

Concerts 11:30-12: 

15pm Festival 

Lobby 


Power 

Progression 

Jackson: Where 

did that come 

from? Sangineto: Italian 

folk dances from 

the South 


folk dances from 

the North 

Large Harp 

Tasting 12-12: 

45pm Salon 4 

Gannon: 

accompaniment : 

Finding the tune 

within the tune 


Rhythm me this, 

Rhythm me that!! 

Events CONCERT at 7:00pm Italian Dancing w/ 

Adriano 9:30pm 

Salon 4 

Fairplay:Pop with 

Pizazz – Create 

Your Own! 

Patton & Carter: 

The Harp in Spain 

and the New World 

Robertson: Lilting 

Lullabies 

Irish Session with 

Kim Robertson 9: 

30pm Festival 

Lobby 

Pierce: Youth 

Program Day 3 

Pierce: Youth 

Program Day 3 

Hurrell: 

Renaissance Harp 

Ensemble 

Ortiz: Latin 

American 

Rhythmic and 

Accompaniment 

Patterns 

Waring: on-site 

only, no zoom 9: 

30-1:30pm 

Staneslow: 

Shetland tunes to 

get your playing to 

flow 

Ortiz: Protection 

from Injury 2 

Elkan: Fifty Ways 

to Play Your 

Tunes 

Patton: 17th 

century Spanish 

Dances 


Let's Get It Started 

Tolosa: 

Venezuelan 

Merengue 

Carter: Latin 

American Song: 

Learn Moliendo 

Café” (Grinding 

Coffee) 

Patton: Lute music 

for the harp 

Hurrell: Irish Harp 

Music in the 

Regency Era 

Fairplay: Time for 

your Left Hand to 

Shine! 


Beginner's 

Coordination 

Basics 

Jensen: DIY 2: 

Tuning 11:30-12 

Jensen: Harp 

Regulation & 

Maintenance 

SUNDAY, JULY 23, 2023 Kathy Blair Nyx Shyamali Bennett Blake Eli Wendy Mike Debbie 

9:30-11am Robertson: 

Groovy Basslines 

Exhibit Hall 

Opens! 11am-3pm 

Staneslow: 

Creating Beauty 

and 

improvisational 

patterns used in 

therapeutic harp 

Fairplay:Sunday 

Meet-Up 9-9:30 


The Art of Creative 

Confidence 9:30-5: 

30 


Celtic Service 8am 

on Bennett's Zoom 

in Executive Suite 

HHS 9:30-10pm Fairplay: 

Arranging 

Lullabies: The Gift 

of Lullabies 

HHS 9:30-10pm CONCERT at 12pm 

Salons 2&3 

5 

Pierce: Youth 

Program Day 4 

Hair: Pipe down 

with the harp 

Tolosa: 

Venezuelan 

Orquídea 

Hambly: The 

History of the Harp 

in Ireland: 

Carter: Playing 

Pachelbel’s Canon 

in Different Latin 

American 

Rhythms 


Making a living as 

a gigging harpist - 

‘You want me to 

play what??

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special events 

Evening Concerts will be held in the Concert Hall 

General seating for all concerts. 

Thursday 7/20/2023 

evening CONCERT 

FriDAY | 7 pm 

Eileen Gannon, Deborah Henson-Conant, Robbin 

Gordon-Cartier and Friends, Maeve Gilchrist 

lifetime achievement 

award presentation 

Deborah Henson-Conant 

opening night soireé 

after the concert 

Sponsored by Camac Harps 

special event 

thursDAY | 9:30 pm 

Scottish Ceilidh Dancing with 

Rachel Hair 

friday 7/21/2023 

lunchtime CONCERT 

FriDAY | 11:30 am 

Bedside Harp Ensemble under the 

direction of Edie Elkan 

special event 

FriDAY | 12 pm 

Small Harp Tasting and Small Double 

Strung Tasting with Kim Adamson 

EVENING CONCERT 

FRIDAY 

Christa Patton, Nicolas Carter, Sunita Staneslow, 

Angel & Luis Toloso 

special event 

friDAY | 9:30 pm 

Somerset’s Got Talent 

special event 

friDAY | 9:30 pm 

Harpers’ Escape Play-Along 


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saturday 7/22/2023 

LUNCHTIME CONCERT 

SATURDAY | 11:30 am 

Youth Harp Program Under the Direction of Nia 

Pierce and The Cicely Tyson School of the Arts 

Under the Direction of Robbin Gordon-Cartier 

special event 

saturDAY | 12 pm 

Large Harp Tasting with Kim 

Adamson 


saturDAY | 7pm 

Shelley Fairplay, Rachel Hair, Gráinne Hambly & 

William Jackson, Ensemble Sangineto 

special event 

saturDAY | 9:30 pm 

Irish Session with Kim Robertson 

special event 

saturDAY | 9:30 pm 

Italian Traditional Dancing with 

Ensemble Sangineto 

sunday 7/23/2023 

afternoon CONCERT 

SUNDAY | 12 pm 

Kathy DeAngelo & Dennis Gormley, 

Alfredo Rolando Ortiz 


SUNDAY | 8 pm 

HHS Conference Concert: William Jackson, 

Adriano Sangineto, Christa Patton, Nancy 

Hurrell and Mara Galassi 

The use of cellphones or other devices to 

photograph or record during the concerts is 

not only distracting to others but is strictly 

prohibited. If you value an artist’s performance, 

take them home with you by buying their 

books and CDs at the festival desk in the lobby 

following the concert. 

GRAB & GO LUNCH 

Hallway outside Room 11 

Friday & Saturday 

11:30am-1pm 


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2023 presenters 

in-person presenters | july 20-23, 2023 

Debbie Brewin-Wilson is a passionate musician, ordained priest, and creator of Somerset’s 

Basically Beginning program. She blends her artistry with her love for Robert Burns, creating 

music that reflects his appreciation for natural and unpretentious singing. Cofounder, with 

Kathy DeAngelo of the Harper’s Escape, she was on staff at the Escape for all of its 24 years 

and co-authored the Escape tunebooks. 

Lute and harp builder David Brown will present at the Historical Harp Society‘s conference. He 

has worked on museum projects and contributed to seminars on early instrument construction. 

His interest in Welsh triple harp construction spans the 18th to 19th centuries. 

Deette Bunn is a passionate harpist who has performed and taught throughout the US. She is 

a faculty member at Syracuse and Cornell Universities and directs Harmony of Harps, a local 

lever harp ensemble. She also works as a double-harp therapist. Deette has been a long-time 

Somerset attendee and her workshops are always well-received. 

Nicolas Carter, a Paraguayan-American harpist, has a love for both music and theater. He has 

performed internationally as a solo harpist and accompanist, and his CDs reflect his fluency in 

multiple musical idioms. Nicolas combines his passion for music with a deep interest in theatre, 

and holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Direction from the University of Minnesota. He 

is based in White Plains, NY, and gigs all over the United States. 

Jaque Davison, an author, cartoonist, and retired Army officer, created „Harps: A Virtual 

Reality World,“ a website with over 2100 harp-related links. His research will help you learn 

about the harp, no matter your level of experience. 

Kathy DeAngelo, Director Emeritus of Somerset and passionate harper with a great love of Irish 

Music, has been involved in the folk music scene for over 40 years. In the 1990’s with Debbie 

Brewin-Wilson she started the Harper’s Escape in an effort to create a shared repertoire for 

harpers. She is a talented harpist, teacher, and organizer. She has been inducted into the Mid- 

Atlantic Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann Hall of Fame and the Delaware Valley Irish Hall of Fame. 

To read more about our presenters, please visit somersetharpfest.com 




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Edie Elkan found solace in the harp during her own grief. She founded Bedside Harp in 

2002, offering harp therapy in hospitals. Her research project in 2005 demonstrated the 

anxiety-reducing effects of live harp music during chemotherapy. Edie authored books on 

harp therapy and teaching, including “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know (about Harp 

Therapy)“ and “The Edie Elkan Method of Teaching Folk Harp as an Instrument of Healing“. 

Her workshop recording, “Oodles of Noodles“, is available on a 4-set. 

Shelley Fairplay began playing the harp at 9 after studying the piano for several years. She 

played in ensembles, orchestras, and provided music for theater performances. She has a 

BMus from Cardiff and a Masters from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. She is a 

qualified Primary School teacher and has an online teaching program. She is passionate about 

the harp and is presenting at the festival for the third time, this time in person. 

Somerset welcomes world-renowned harpist and musicologist Mara Galassi to The 

Historical Harp Society’s Sunday Conference Add-On. Galassi specializes in music for early 

harps, including gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque instruments—double (cross-strung) and 

triple harps of the Renaissance and Baroque eras and Classical-era single-action pedal 

harps in particular. and has taught at prestigious music schools around the world. 

Eileen Gannon is an acclaimed Irish harper, director of St. Louis Irish Arts, and touring musician. Eileen 

has one solo album, The Glory Days are Over, and appears on albums with Tommy Martin, Eimear 

Arkins, Bernadette NicGabhann, and Robert Ryan. With a bachelor’s degree in Music Performance 

from St. Louis University, and a master’s degree in Ethnomusicology from University of Limerick, She 

has a unique accompaniment style and clear tone, and teaches technique to all levels. 

As a harper and composer Edinburgh-born Maeve Gilchrist thrives on innovation and 

improvisation. Steeped in both classical and traditional music with a great love of jazz, 

Maeve also studied jazz at Berklee and became their first lever harp instructor. She tours 

internationally and has performed at many prestigious events. 

Robbin Gordon-Cartier is a harpist and educator who teaches a well-regarded harp program 

in East Orange, NJ, at the Cicely Tyson‘s School of the Performing Arts. She has performed at 

Carnegie Hall, events honoring Cicely Tyson and Sir James Galway, and churches and gospel 

events. She also teaches at Kean University. Her CD is called Just As I Am. 



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Rachel Hair is an acclaimed harper and teacher. She won two BBC Alba Scots Trad awards for 

her online harp music events and classes during the pandemic. She grew up in the Highlands 

and now divides her time between Glasgow and the Isle of Man. She just released her sixth 

album, élan. 

Grainné Hambly is a world-renowned Irish harpist who has inspired a generation of harpists 

through her mastery of the instrument. Popular worldwide for her performing and arranging 

of tunes she is also a sought after educator. Her classes are a perfect match for the advancing 

student, eager to take on challenges. 

Somerset welcomes Deborah Henson-Conant, 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award 

recipient, to challenge you to boldly go where no harper has gone before. A Grammynominated 

musician,Deborah has brought the harp out of the demure background and into 

the electric limelight! Mixing music and theatre Deborah performs solo or with a symphony 

with equal ease. 

Nancy Hurrell is a harpist who plays modern and historical harps. She promotes her interest 

in harp history in workshops, journal articles and her book on the nineteenth century Irish harp 

maker John Egan, “The Egan Irish Harps:Tradition, patrons and players “(Four Courts Press, 2019). 

She has presented at museums and universities, and teaches harp classes. 

William Jackson is a multi-talented musician, composer, and performer. He is a founding 

member of the Scottish band Ossian and has released several solo albums. He is also the 

author of a book on Scottish traditional music. Jackson will be leading the Harpers‘ Escape 

Add-On at Somerset on Thursday. He is a highly respected musician and we are happy to have 

him in person. 

Liza Jensen is a harp technician who has studied with master harp builders and is a warranty 

repair service for Triplett Harps and Camac Harps. 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. She travels the world for her work 

and will be available for harp regulation and minor repairs on-site at Somerset. 





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Erika Lieberman fell in love with the harp 25 years ago at a California Renaissance festival. She 

now performs with her harp at renaissance festivals, weddings, nursing homes, and theatrical 

events. She is a solo harpist, member of ensembles and folk bands, and graduate of New York 

University. She teaches beginner harp students in Portchester, NY. 

Alfredo Rolando Ortiz is a Cuban-born composer and performer of the Paraguayan harp. 

He has a multi-cultural repertoire that covers folk, classical, and popular music. He was 

commissioned to compose a piece for the Tenth World Harp Congress, which was performed by 

232 harpists. He has also received awards for his work. 

Christa Patton is a classically trained oboist who discovered the harp as an adult. She 

was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to study the Baroque harp in Milan, Italy. She has 

performed with many early music ensembles and is a past president of the Historical 

Harp Society. She will be presenting at the Historical Harp Society‘s Conference on 

Sunday. 

Nia Pierce is a talented musician who graduated from The College of New Jersey with a BA in Music 

Education. She has worked as a music teacher and mentor, and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts 

in Education Policy at Columbia University’s Teachers College. Nia hopes to use her education to 

inspire the next generation of leaders. 

Kim Robertson is a pioneer of the American folk harp. She is classically trained but brings 

a contemporary touch to her music. She has a loyal following and has released many 

CDs and instructional videos. She is a popular workshop leader and received our Lifetime 

Achievement Award in 2019. Welcome back, Kim! 

Celtic harpist Adriano Sangineto, who grew up in a musical family, performs at Somerset for 

the first time. He‘ll play folk music from Italy and Early Music, and his sister Caterina and Jacopo 

Ventura will join him at the Historical Harp Society’s Sunday Add-On. Adriano will also teach 

traditional Italian dances on Saturday night. 



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Sunita Staneslow is a versatile musician who plays the flute, harp, and piano. She studied 

classical music with renowned harpists and began arranging Jewish music for the harp while 

living in Jerusalem, and now works as a therapeutic musician at a children‘s hospital. She also 

provides resources for aspiring harpists. 

Bill Taylor is a harpist who specializes in ancient music from Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. He 

performs and teaches in the Scottish Highlands and has recorded extensively. He is also a popular 

teacher and workshop leader. 

Angel Tolosa, a Venezuelan musician, is considered one of the best harpists of his generation. 

He founded the A Contratiempo Ensemble at 18 to explore Venezuelan musical genres on 

the harp. He is a professor, member of the Official Association of Culture, and Venezuelan 

representative in the First Mexican Folkloric Harp School. 




online presenters | july 29-30, 2023 

15 

Erik Ask-Upmark is a Swedish folk musician who 

plays the piano, harpsichord, Swedish bagpipes, 

and Gothic harps. He has recorded several CDs and 

earned the title of “Riksspelman“ (Master musician of 

the Realm in Sweden) and performs with his groups 

Svanevit, Dråm and Falsobordone. He lives at the tip 

of Sweden. 

Màiri Chaimbeul is a versatile harper and composer 

from the Isle of Skye. She tours internationally with 

US/Scottish fiddler Jenna Moynihan, Canadian Folk 

Music, Aerialists, and Quilting. She is a graduate of 

Berklee College of Music where she was awarded 

the American Roots Award, before joining the 

college‘s faculty from 2018-2022. She also maintains 

a small online private teaching studio as well as 

regularly teaching workshops internationally. 

Dr. Sandra Joyce is a traditional singer, bodhrán 

player, and academic. She has performed all over 

the world and released a CD in February 2023. 

She is Executive Dean at the University of Limerick 

and Course Director of the MA Irish Music Studies. 

Her research interests include Irish harp and 

song traditions, historical ethnomusicology, and 

environmental humanities. 

Tristan Le Govic, a Celtic harpist from Brittany, will 

regale us with his music. He began playing at six and 

has traveled widely, performing in Ireland, Scotland, 

and beyond. He is a master of both acoustic and 

electric harp, and his music ranges from traditional 

to jazz. He has released numerous CDs and music 

collections, and is featured in a documentary on the 

Celtic harp. 



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online presenters | july 29-30, 2023 

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. . She has conducted 

groundbreaking studies on historical harps, shares 

her knowledge at workshops and passion for 

these harps at workshops, and is a teacher and 

administrator for Acadamh na gCláirseach–Academy 

of Early Irish Harp. 

Aisling Lyons is a multi-award-winning harper, 

concertina player, and composer from County Clare. 

Aisling has been described as ‘one of the rising stars 

and budding composers of the Irish harp world – 

rooted in tradition and beautifully inventive’, Holder 

of 8 All-Ireland titles. She has performed all over the 

world and has been nominated for several awards. 

Her debut album, Aistear, was released in 2021 to 

critical acclaim. 

Tomoko Sugawara studied harp at Tokyo 

University of the Arts and Cultural History at Seijo 

University. She has conducted research and 

received awards from the Dunhuang Foundation 

and NYC Arts and Cultural Affairs. In 2013, Tomoko 

founded the Eurasia Consort, which performs 

ancient music from the Chinese Tang Court. She 

was a visiting researcher and kugo teacher at the 

Shanghai Conservatory of Music in 2018 - 2019. 

Tomoko enjoys playing harps from East & West, 

including the kugo, Renaissance harp, and Baroque 

triple harp. 

Everything you need to attend the 

festival Online can be found in the 

Member Area of our website. There 

you can find a Live Events page which 

will bring you to the Zoom rooms. You 

can take any of the other video online 

workshops at your convenience (Curated 

Archive Videos from 2020-2022 can be 

added to your subscription). All-Access 

registrants have access from July 1 - 

October 31. Limited-Time registrants 

have access from July 1 - July 31. 




online presenters | saturdays in september 

17 

Singer/songwriter Martha Gallagher defies 

musical pigeon-holes and has been sharing her 

distinctive and richly varied performances with 

audiences for over 30 years. Her diverse musical 

experiences range from playing as a classical 

flautist in a symphony orchestra to being lead 

singer in rock and jazz/blues bands. Her original 

songs glide from wailing blues to Latin grooves to 

Classical inspirations, from swingin‘ Jazz to vibrant 

contemporary Folk. Her voice can be smokin‘ hot 

or achingly tender. Martha has performed with 

such luminaries as six-time Grammy winners, The 

Chieftains. The 2007 premiere of her innovative 

original work featuring Celtic harp, voice, 

and taiko drums marked a world’s first of this 

performance configuration. 

In 2002 Karen Petersen discovered lever harps at 

Somerset and was intrigued by the healing work 

of therapeutic harp programs. Before long Karen 

became a Certified Music Practitioner. Since 2010, 

she has played harp at Cooperman Barnabas 

Medical Center, and found ways to provide music 

for staff when patient access was restricted 

during COVID. Karen has served on the Board of 

Directors for MHTP and the National Standards 

Board for Therapeutic Musicians. She arranges 

harp music and gives private lessons and enjoys 

helping adult learners have fun playing. Her first 

book, Enjoy the Modes, demonstrates on lever 

and pedestal harps, the characteristics of music 

modes. We welcome her for her third time as a 

presenter at the festival. 



18 

Second “Live” Weekend 

ONLINE ONLY 

All times shown in ET. Adjust for your own time zone. 

Workshops are recorded and available later for replay. 

SATURDAY 7/29/23 

10-11:30am Early Irish Harp: Introduction to playing Karen Loomis 

10-11:30am Alan Stivell’s Breton Music Tristan LeGovic 

10-11:30am Music Business Basics Kathy DeAngelo 

1-2:30pm Silk Road Journey of the Ancient Asian Harp Tomoko Sugawara 

1-2:30pm Breton Music's Early History Tristan LeGovic 

3-4:30pm 

Scottish Gaelic Language and Song: Isle of 

South Uist 

Màiri Chaimbeul 

3-4:30pm Harp Studies : Perspectives on the Irish Harp Sandra Joyce 

SUNDAY 7/30/23 

10-11:30am Composers from County Clare Aisling Lyons 

10-11:30am Breton Music Made Easy Tristan LeGovic 

10-11:30am Traditional Swedish Christmas music Erik Ask-Upmark 

1-2:30pm 

Scottish Gaelic Language and Song: Isle of 

Skye 

Màiri Chaimbeul 

1-2:30pm Breton Legends & Myths Tristan LeGovic 

3-4:30pm Arranging Music Through the Centuries Tomoko Sugawara 

1-2:30pm Inspiration for composition Aisling Lyons 

5-6:30pm Recording the Harp Erik Ask-Upmark 

SATURDAYS IN SEPTEMBER 

9/2/2023 

Presented on Zoom 

Therapeutic Harp Discussion Panels Part 1 and 

Part 2 

9/9/2023 10-11:30am Seasons of the Harp Sampler Martha Gallagher 

Led by Karen Peterson & Maureen Buscareno 

9/16/2023 1-4:30pm Harpers' Escape Use it or Lose It Day ( Add-on) Brewin-Wilson (beg), DeAngelo (int), Hambly (adv) 


exhibit hall 

Friday: 11 am – 6 pm • Saturday: 11 am – 6 pm • Sunday: 12 pm – 3 pm 

19 

Hayden 

Harps 

Clairsech 

House 

Carol 

Kappus 

Sherring 

Energy 

Harp for 

Healing 

Harpli 

Virginia 

Harp 

Center 

Harp Jewelry 

Designs 

by Luzma 

Deep 

Peace 

Music 

FomoFX/ 

Virtual Jeff 

Marini Made 


Wind 

River 


Camac 


Cape Side 

Music 

Harp Parking 

Concert Hall 

Evening Concerts at 7:30pm 

Masks are Optional 

STAGE 

Musicmakers 

Dusty 

Strings 

Stoney End 


Bedside 

Harp 

Festival Lobby 

Use this entrance 

for harp parking 

Bedside Harp 

P.O.Box 656 

Langhorne, PA 19047 

215-752-7599 

www.bedsideharp.com 

Deep Peace Music 

267-227-3019 

info@deeppeacemusic.com 

www.joannamell.com 

harpli 

PO Box 572 

Ft Garland, CO 81133 

844-711-HARP 

www.harpli.com 

Virginia Harp Center 

14356 Sommerville Ct 

Midlothian, VA 23113 

804-378-3761 

www.vaharpcenter.com 

Camac Harps 

La Richerais – BP 15 

44850 Mouzeil – France 

+33 (0) 2 40 97 24 97 

info@camac-harps.com 

www.camac-harps.com/en/ 

Cape Side Music 

P O Box 922 

West Chatham, MA 02669 

508-945-9525 

www.capesidemusic.com 

Carol Kappus 

9703 Island Lake Rd. 

Dexter, MI 48130 

734-355-0578 

www.carolkappus.com 

Clairsech House 

F. Marion Redd 

North Carolina 

scribexyz777@gmail.com 

Dusty Strings 

3450 16th Ave W 

Seattle, WA 98109 

206-634-1656 

www.dustystrings.com 

FomoFX/Virtual Jeff 

Melbourne Victoria 

Australia 

https://fomofx.au/ 

Harp for Healing 

920 4th Avenue 

Havre, Montana 59501-4506 

harpforhealing@gmail.com 

www.harpforhealing.com 

Harp Jewelry Designs by Luzma 

P. O. Box 911 

Corona, CA 92878-0911 

Luzma@HarpJewelry.com 

HarpJewelry.com 

Marini Made Harps 

704 Wallace Rd. 

New Holland, PA 17557 

(717) 355-0897 

www.marinimadeharps.com 

Musicmakers 

P O Box 2117 

Stillwater, MN 55082 

651-439-9120 

www.harpkit.com 

Sherring Energy 

Sherri Nicholas 

(Licensed Massage Therapist) 

about.me/sherrianicholas 

Stoney End Harps 

920 MN 19 

Red Wing, MN 55066 

651-388- 8400 

www.stoneyend.com 

Wind River Harps 

1413 Wind River Drive SE 

Huntsville, AL 35802 

www.windriverharps.com 


20 

what you need to know 

Welcome to the 23rd Annual 

Somerset Folk Harp Festival! 

We’d like to make your festival 

experience as positive and 

rewarding as possible. Please 

take a few moments to review the 

information on this page. 

Festival Desk & Staff: Open 9am- 

10pm 

Got Questions? Our staff will be at the 

Festival Desk, just outside Salon 4, from 

9am to just after each concert. We’re 

here to help you get the most out of the 

festival. 

Festival & Presenter Merchandise 

The Festival Desk is your destination 

for purchasing presenter music and 

recordings as well as festival wearables 

and items. NJ State Sales Tax is 6.625% 

will be added to merchandise, except 

clothing. We take credit cards. Need 

cash? The hotel has an ATM just off their 

main lobby. 

Badges with Dots 

Attendees who signed up for Add-ons: 

Harpers’ Escape, Shelley Fairplay, 

Deborah Henson-Conant, or The 

Historical Harp Society’s Sunday 

conference will have a dot on their 

badges to indicate their chosen Add-on. 

Masks 

Do whatever makes you feel 

comfortable. They are optional, but 

encouraged at the evening concerts. 

Meal Tickets 

If you paid for meal tickets they will be 

given to you at check-in. If you need to 

purchase Breakfast and/or Dinner buffet 

tickets you can purchase them at The 

Festival Desk. 

Festival Lounge 

New this year is the Festival Lounge in 

Salons 2&3. There you will find a place 

to relax, connect with friends, try out 

some crafts, have a cup of coffee/tea 

and even say hi to folks online. 

Meals and Refreshments 

Meal Tickets: If you purchased Meal 

Tickets, you will get those tickets when 

you check-in. Want to purchase tickets 

to the Breakfast and/or Dinner Buffets? 

Stop by The Festival Desk. 

Where: All buffets will take place in 

a private dining area of the Amuse 

restaurant. 

Meal Times: Breakfast 7:30-9:30am; 

Dinner 5-7:00pm. To-go containers are 

available. 

The Amuse Restaurant: If you prefer you 

can dine à la carte at Amuse. Open daily 

for breakfast from 7-11am. The Amuse 

bar opens at 4pm. 

Lunch: a Grab & Go station with assorted 

salads, sandwiches & wraps, fruit, 

beverages and other quick-grab items 

you can purchase as you’re running into 

the Harp Tastings, Lunchtime concert or 

just want to have lunch with your friends. 

Complimentary Refreshment Station: 

This year as a thank you to our In- 

Person attendees and guests and 

our Presenters and Exhibitors we are 

setting up a refreshment station in our 

Festival Lounge Salons 2&3. You’ll find 

complimentary coffee, tea, and water. 

Harp Parking 

Is located adjacent to the Exhibit Hall 

(see map). Hours of operation are 9am- 

9pm. You can temporarily park your 

harp while you are shopping or eating. 

Space is limited. Harp parking at your 

own risk. Not responsible for harps left 

overnight. Feel free to leave your harp 

at the back of the workshop room at 

lunchtime preferably in its case (except 

for Salons 2&3, which will be used for 

Harp Tastings) 

Harp Regulator 

Liza Jensen is our on-site harp regulator 

and will perform minor maintenance and 

repairs. Liza’s workroom at the festival 

is Boonton, Room 1 (see map). Don’t 

miss this chance to have somebody else 

change your strings or fix that buzz! 

Call her at 917-696-5974 or email her at 

info@lizaharpcentral.com to get on her 

schedule. 

Harpers Ferry 

We have a harp cart/dolly you can 

borrow to get your harp to/from 

workshops. Inquire at the Festival Desk. 

Lost & Found Box 

We have a Lost & Found box at the 

Registration Desk for all those items 

like tuning keys, tuners, clothing items 

and other things that get left behind in 

workshop rooms. 


Workshop Etiquette & Guide 

Workshop Length: Workshops are 90 minutes, except for some 

workshops during lunchtime. 

Here are some general guidelines for attending 

the workshops, outside of the golden rule of being 

considerate. 

• Turn off your cell phone or put it on vibrate mode. 

• Do NOT talk on cell phones at all during the workshop. 

• Arrive on time and be in tune. If you arrive late, come in 

quietly and without fanfare. If it’s a hands-on workshop in 

progress, please take your harp out of the case outside of 

the room to be less of a distraction. 

• Making recordings of workshops: No need. Workshops 

are being recorded so you can go back and rewatch on 

Somerset Online until October 31 for VIP and Online All 

Access. Limited Time folks have until Aug 7, 2023. 

• Handouts: Print out the workshop handouts from the 

member area of the festival’s website before you get to the 

workshop or download to your device and use that. We are 

limiting the number of copies we are doing on-site. 

• Workshop levels: if a workshop is listed for beginners, 

anyone can attend, but don’t overwhelm the real beginners 

or push the presenter to go faster. Likewise, if the level is 

listed as Advanced, bear that in mind if you’re a beginner. 

Remember, all workshops are recorded and online later for 

replay. 

• Pay attention and do not noodle on your harp strings 

unless asked to! Avoid chatting with your neighbor while 

the presenter is talking. 

21 

Harp Tastings 

This is an ideal tool for novice harpers and any potential harp 

buyers. We have a Small Harp Tasting on Friday and a Large 

Harp Tasting on Saturday at noon in Salons 2&3. Use the harp 

tasting to augment your selection process for a new harp. 

You’ll get a handy form to write down your comparisons, which 

you can take with you when you go to try out the harps in the 

Exhibit Hall. 

Festival Bulletin Board 

We’ll have a big bulletin board near the Festival Desk where 

we’ll post lake changes to workshops’ times/locations. You can 

use the bulletin board to get a lift back to the airport or arrange 

meet-ups for meals – anything you need except posting harps 

for sale. 

Errata 

There may be unanticipated changes to the schedule or 

workshop locations. Check the Festival Website or Bulletin 

Board by the Festival Desk daily. 

Jam & Sessions & Meeting Rooms 

Most meeting rooms are available during lunch and dinner 

breaks for “pick-up” sessions and informal meetings. All 

meeting rooms are open after the concert for casual gettogethers. 

We’ll also post a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board 

if you want to host your own harp circle. If you have a harp 

circle at home and would like to reach out to other harpers in 

your area that may not know about you, get on the list and host 

a “meet & greet” session. 

Artwork created exclusively for SFHS by Irish Artist 

Sorrell Reilly 


www.moonoverthetrees.com 

Learn, perform, and believe — three words which capture the spirit and purpose of AhHa!Broadway, 

a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which fosters the arts and enhances education through musical 

theatre in New York City and the surrounding areas. 

ahhabroadway.org 

Therapy Harp TRAINING PROGRAM 

harpsicleharps.com 

HEARTFELT MUSICAL SERVICE 

Train to be a 

Certified Healthcare 

Musician and make 

a difference playing 

compassionate, 

therapeutic music. 

Bring peace and 

calm to hospital 

patients, aged care 

residents and the 

wider community. 

The Therapy Harp 

Training Program 

(THTP) is a 

comprehensive, 

online, self-paced 

course with 

support from the 

Director and the 

global network of 

THTP students 

and graduates. 

For more information go to 

www.therapyharp.com 

or email 

helen@therapyharp.com 

Director Helen Morrison (B.Ed Mus) 

THTP is proud to be accredited by the Australian Therapeutic Harpists Association

Now anything is possible 

Vibrato has been part of 

music for centuries - 

opera singers and string 

players are famous for 

their distinctive styles. 

Now it's available on 

harp. With a capo too! 

As seen on! 

See this ground-breaking 

product in action and 

meet the inventor from 

Australia. 

www.fomofx.com 

Join us at 

Booth 7 

@emilyharpist

New tunes from Sharon Thormahlen 

inspired by a story from Rosiee Thor 

A truly magical book 

of 13 new tunes that tell the story of what 

happens when a dragon wakes up from 

100 years of slumber. 

You don’t have to slay the dragon when 

a hero with a harp 

can save the day. 

Available in print and pdf. 

Thorharp.com 

Thormahlen Harps*Corvallis, OR* 541-753-4334*harps@thorharp.com 

15% OFF 

LEVER MUSIC 

During checkout, use Coupon code*: 

SOMERSET2023 

*Cannot be combined with other discounts. In stock items only. 

Other restrictions may apply. Valid through July 28, 2023. 

THE BEST SITE FOR ORDERING STRINGS, MUSIC AND HARP ACCESSORIES. www.harp.com

The Delight 

Only 12 lbs 

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- Lightweight 

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- Delivery 3-5 months 

The Brand New 

Heartland Tablet Holder 

“The most functional 

and secure tablet holder 

I’ve found...love it!” 

- Denise Grupp-Verbon 

(828) 708-3151 HeartlandHarps.com

AdobeStock©Laura 

L’Espace Camac 

92 rue Petit 75019 Paris, France 

www.camac-harps.com 

Workshop & Offices 

La Richerais BP15 44850 Mouzeil, France

Look how we've grown! Watch over 400 video tut 

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Learn at YOUR pace, all year long! 

Join or gift a membership to Harp Column Academy now 

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– 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“A master of the peaceful melody, this is some of the most beautiful harp music you will ever hear. 

Looking for deep peace? You found it. This is IT.” – 

 

“… harpist Laurence Furr has produced some of the mos 

ever listen to on his new album…” 

 

“Upon the Corner of the Moon –and last year’s Deep Peace – 

w Age music scene today.” 

 

“There is a power behind music that is so meaningful, so tender and focused, it can be created by 

 

 

 

 

 

most blissful acoustic music you’re ever likely to hear.”

31 


Find Your 

Peace 

at 

Visit our booth this weekend for more 

information on how you can start 

your therapeutic harp journey 

215.752.7599 • BedsideHarp.com

Somerset Folk Harp Festival

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