Final-Beginning Collection 2026 Q2 – Part 1 [Member Spotlight]

Describe your final project so I know exactly what you’re sending me.

This is a Rondo form of ‘Pizzicato Polka’, with a Cadenza. There is an intro, partial melody, improv, partial melody, cadenza, and full melody. 

Tell us a little bit about who you are, your harp journey, and why originally came to the Academy. 

I’m married, have three children, and five grandchildren. I worked 30 years for the State of Michigan as a Children’s Protective Services worker, investigating child abuse and neglect. I began my harp journey when my children started graduating from high school and I had more time for myself. Playing the harp proved to be very relaxing and a fun challenge. I thought I could teach myself at first because I had piano lessons growing up, but found I needed a teacher for direction, and I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I then had several years of private lessons from a classically trained teacher, learning harp technique, doing exercises, and playing the harp from sheet music. During the pandemic, I experienced some free DHC classes, which changed my focus to wanting to understand improvisation, signed up for the Lead Sheet Boot Camp class, and then the Academy. 

What’s different for you now? What has changed since being in the Academy and anything particular that changed in the last quarter?

After five years in the Academy, I feel free to simplify or add to tunes I already know, experiment with different ideas within a supportive community, and trust that I will get direction for any goals that I may have. Because of the safe environment, I was able to let go of many protective behaviors that held me back from progressing. 

What principles from this quarter have you used in your life, your playing, and/or the development of this project – and how did they play a part in your process?

The two concepts I concentrated on during this grounded expansion quarter, were the rondo form and the cadenza. Feeling grounded, gives you freedom to explore, in both music and in life. 

Give a short description of what it took for you to be able to play what you did – whether you recorded and shared it or not – both logistically and emotionally.

This was a difficult tune for me to play because of the lever changes, but it was also fun and I was determined to learn it. I also agreed to come up with 10 rondos in 10 weeks. I’ve done 9 and am still working on #10. 

What freedom and joy within yourself did you connect with in the process?

The more rondos I put together, the easier it became and I felt a freedom that I could take any song and quickly come up with something. 

What challenges and blocks to your own freedom of expression did you experience in this class and/or project?

The biggest challenge for me was how to play a cadenza. I did feel free to come up with something without feeling inadequate. 

What other parts of your life were impacted by what you learned this quarter, and how?

I connected with my daughter’s family by teaching each of them the simple tune of Harp Move Blues, the rondo form, and recording us all. 

What were your personal “Ahas” and breakthroughs this quarter and did they come thru the chats, a specific class, or the development of a project, a practice, or something else?

The longer I’m in the Academy, the more comfortable I am to try new ideas. 

Are you OK with me sharing your final project & answers to the 6 questions on my blog (or just sharing your answers to the 6 questions if you didn’t submit a final-beginning project)?

Yes – and you’re welcome to use my full name

Are you OK with me sharing your final project in the Monday CHATS and if so which Chat will you be attending?

Yes – and I’ll be attending BOTH the Morning and Afternoon Chats on Monday

Describe your final project so I know exactly what you’re sending me.

This is the full song of the tune I wrote in Dorian at the beginning of the quarter. It was an outgrowth of the Modes class.

Tell us a little bit about who you are, your harp journey, and why originally came to the Academy. 

I started piano at 6, guitar at 8, harp at 49.I’ve composed on all three, but the harp is the best medium (for me). I never thought I could learn online, but I started coming to Harp Time Live during COVID and was hooked

What’s different for you now? What has changed since being in the Academy and anything particular that changed in the last quarter?

I’m better at improv, and especially at turning improv into something that is no longer improv. That is what I like best. And all the ideas of how to approach things differently to experiment with!

What principles from this quarter have you used in your life, your playing, and/or the development of this project – and how did they play a part in your process?

the inspiration for this project actually came from just before this quarter, but I’ve carried that modal inspiration throughout and wrote some Rondo’s too.

Give a short description of what it took for you to be able to play what you did – whether you recorded and shared it or not – both logistically and emotionally.

Ah! DHC, when I played the shortest instrumental version of this, I think you were going to say something about my “superpower”, but you actually said “super NATURAL power”. I already knew there was something of the supernatural in the story this tells. It happened almost 30 years ago. It took quite a while to be able to talk about, and the fact that I can sing about it is pretty huge, I think.

What freedom and joy within yourself did you connect with in the process?

The freedom to share this as it happened, even though most people will likely consider it a metaphor. It is not.

What challenges and blocks to your own freedom of expression did you experience in this class and/or project?

The fear of people thinking I’m actually crazy, or that I’m mis-remembering at the very least.

What other parts of your life were impacted by what you learned this quarter, and how?

That is really hard to say

What were your personal “Ahas” and breakthroughs this quarter and did they come thru the chats, a specific class, or the development of a project, a practice, or something else?

At my 70th birthday party last weekend I performed the Rondo I wrote this quarter with a guitarist to whom I had only given a recording and the chord structure and it went really, really well. We did 2 more songs that I wrote where I just quickly told her the chords and she followed along brilliantly. It was really fun!!

If your experience of this quarter was a story and had a title, what would the title be?

Rondos Here, Rondos There, Rondos Rondos EVERYwhere!!

Is there anything else you want people to know when they watch your video?

nope

Give a short description of what it took for you to be able to play what you did – whether you recorded and shared it or not – both logistically and emotionally.

I just took the courage to lead the Harp Moves Blues in a session. A friend had asked me to join, and was very happy with this piece as the last piece of his short concert. It was fun for everyone, and easy!

Then I experimented a bit with Clair de Lune, especially the intro and improvisations. I enjoy it. The piece has a life of its own, everytime I play it it is different, developing by itself.

Describe your final project so I know exactly what you’re sending me.

My half bake version was much longer and smushed together 3 tunes. This is a simplified version , one tune, demonstrating what I got out of this class. Which was for me, different ideas on how to improvise on a chord structure, introduction to a device called a looper, which Im totally in love with. I call it my new left hand ha ha 
So, short and sweet, I need to work on ending the looper smoothly but was running out of time here, so I’ll continue to work on it. 
Thank you DHC  for being an inspiring mentor and teacher..

Tell us a little bit about who you are, your harp journey, and why originally came to the Academy. 

I am an senior citizen who has lived a long and varied life. I came back to the harp after many years vacation .. and wanted to find a new sound, learn new things . and so I came to the Hip Harp Academy. Loving it. 
This simple but soothing tune in Rondo form .. showcases what I am learning that is new to me, 
looper (which I call my new left hand) 
fence posts, 
rondo form, toggling back & forth from melodie to improvising around the chord structure. 

What’s different for you now? What has changed since being in the Academy and anything particular that changed in the last quarter?

Well, I am looking forward to playing my harp every day pretty much. I’m enjoying the new tunes and ideas. 

What principles from this quarter have you used in your life, your playing, and/or the development of this project – and how did they play a part in your process?

I’m focusing on new ways to improvise so I don’t sound so predictable, and it’s working.
I’m regaining my self-confidence, and I just played an hour-and-a-half set straight through at a senior home this week. No music, no tablets, just me and my harp.
So I’m sharing my particular gifts with others. It’s a start, and I’m grateful.

Give a short description of what it took for you to be able to play what you did – whether you recorded and shared it or not – both logistically and emotionally.

I started out trying to play the chordle riff 1-5-10 with my left hand which as you know is artificial.. and I managed it more or less. but … just because I can do something doesn’t necessarily mean I should do it. It soynded so much smoother and caused me less stress to play the fif into the looper with a combo of left and right hand, then olay it back and play over it. 

What freedom and joy within yourself did you connect with in the process?

I adore this looper … Thank you for introducing me to this handy tool. I just had fun exploring new territory for me. 

What challenges and blocks to your own freedom of expression did you experience in this class and/or project?

no blocks really, it takes time to learn new things and new patterns, so with the looper on, I had all the time in the world to practice new things, like fence posts, 

What other parts of your life were impacted by what you learned this quarter, and how?

ha ha … no house work has been done. I need a wife to cook & clean so I can sit and play all day long. *lol* 
No seriously, it’s given me a sense of purpose again, and as a senior who often feels like my life is over and I’m just waiting to move on … this is a very pleasant pastime for me. 
I sure hope I can retain what I learned in this life when I pass on to the next rhealm . 🙂 

What were your personal “Ahas” and breakthroughs this quarter and did they come thru the chats, a specific class, or the development of a project, a practice, or something else?

all of the above .. or in this form .. beside 

If your experience of this quarter was a story and had a title, what would the title be?

Old Dog Learns New Tricks 

Is there anything else you want people to know when they watch your video?

just that I send out my love, my light, and my joy to all beings

Describe your final project so I know exactly what you’re sending me.

This is a video of Gloria and the Paper Bag, a story written by Deborah Henson-Conant.  I’m using modal music and photos of my dog Meg, playing the part of Gloria and my cat Lucky.

Tell us a little bit about who you are, your harp journey, and why originally came to the Academy. 

I live in New Zealand, on a farm, and I love animals and nature. I enjoy being outside, and in the garden.   My harp journey started in 2020, during the covid pandemic when I joined the Academy with DHC to learn to play the harp. I wanted to sing & play a harp, as I’ve always sung but never played an instrument.

What’s different for you now? What has changed since being in the Academy and anything particular that changed in the last quarter?

Everything is different.  I can now sing & play with the harp.  I’d never thought of doing music videos and now I send them out to friends & family.  Arranging music, telling stories , improvising, and writing my own music.   This quarter I wanted to try modal music with story telling and I was lucky to receive a gift in the challenge of DHC’s stories, and I related to her story Gloria and the paper bag. 

What principles from this quarter have you used in your life, your playing, and/or the development of this project – and how did they play a part in your process?

The principle of keeping it simple.  I realised that I didn’t need to do complicated playing when telling a story, and it sounds better.  Also, I could talk and then play, it doesn’t have to be at the same time.
I liked how the modal music could give a sense of the mood or feelings I talked about.  So when it was sad, happy, or surprised the music reflected the feelings.

Give a short description of what it took for you to be able to play what you did – whether you recorded and shared it or not – both logistically and emotionally.

I had fun working with modal music and matching the words with the music.  I memorised the words so I could express more feelings in the story.
I’m doing the modulation staircase as a practice and I’ve found this has helped with fluency.  Playing and being comfortable with placing my hands and not needing to look at the harp as much. 

What freedom and joy within yourself did you connect with in the process?

“Being enough”, I’m happy with what I have achieved.
I loved everything about this story, having animals, the quirkiness  of a paper bag being a friend, and the deeper meaning about loneliness.   

What challenges and blocks to your own freedom of expression did you experience in this class and/or project?

It doesn’t have to be complicated, and a small part of a tune is OK and it can be expanded using the rondo form.  Learning different ways to do improv during the 6 week class, of 6 tunes was inspiring. 

What other parts of your life were impacted by what you learned this quarter, and how?

I could have less tunes in my repertoire, because I can expand them with improv.   It will be easier having fewer tunes and will take less time to practice.  

What were your personal “Ahas” and breakthroughs this quarter and did they come thru the chats, a specific class, or the development of a project, a practice, or something else?

Keeping it simple meant I could be more present and engaged with the story I was telling.
Feeling OK with playing simply and that’s enough.

If your experience of this quarter was a story and had a title, what would the title be?

“Showing up”.

Is there anything else you want people to know when they watch your video?

To enjoy the story.  It reminds me of when I listened to stories with my sister as a child. 

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Describe your final project so I know exactly what you’re sending me.

This is actually another half baked – I am working on another section of my Wisemen project. 

Tell us a little bit about who you are, your harp journey, and why originally came to the Academy. 

I started Hip Harp Academy in 2024 with my first story of the Feeble Old Woman. After working on the various classes, chats, Catchup Coaching, Office Hours, Techie Tid Bits, and Snippet clubs I have learned more confidence and techniques and confidence to share my imperfection and grow with encouragement from the wealth of experience and encouragement from the Hip Harp Community.

What’s different for you now? What has changed since being in the Academy and anything particular that changed in the last quarter?

I have now embarked on a larger project for this year and am working on various sections of this show that I will be performing in December. DHC has taught me how to have more confidence in what I can do and share with others.

What principles from this quarter have you used in your life, your playing, and/or the development of this project – and how did they play a part in your process?

I have learned techniques for gesture, and rondo for taking a tune and making it more interesting with improv and story.

Give a short description of what it took for you to be able to play what you did – whether you recorded and shared it or not – both logistically and emotionally.

This again, is just a section of the entire project. I wanted to at least get this in for some feedback.

What freedom and joy within yourself did you connect with in the process?

I am finding more confidence in sharing what I can do.

What challenges and blocks to your own freedom of expression did you experience in this class and/or project?

Sometimes I put off practicing because I know that it will take effort, but having encouragement from others during transformational practices and others sharing has helping me work through and understand that it is the practice of practicing.

What other parts of your life were impacted by what you learned this quarter, and how?

Sharing what I can do, not what I wish I could do.

What were your personal “Ahas” and breakthroughs this quarter and did they come thru the chats, a specific class, or the development of a project, a practice, or something else?

This submission when reviewing was a quick effort to get submitted since I will be out of town and away from the harp. I almost didn’t submit and then thought = it would be a missed opportunity if I didn’t.

If your experience of this quarter was a story and had a title, what would the title be?

This is my Wisemen project – I need to come up with a better title. This section is the wisemen’s meeting with Herod.

Is there anything else you want people to know when they watch your video?

Feedback on the story is helpful.