Do you have any CDs? How can I hear your music?
You know, I keep saying I need to do a CD, but
I’ve been so busy performing that I haven’t found time yet.
Soon! In the meantime, I’m always happy to have you into my harp
studio to see and hear the harps in person, and hear the types of music
that most interest you. If you can’t come in person, we can have
a “virtual meeting” by phone. You can also contact me to
find out where I might be performing at upcoming public events.
Will you do outdoor events?
Yes, but only in the warm months between Memorial
Day and Labor Day. The rest of the time the weather is just too
unpredictable in New York. Even during outdoor season, you should have
a plan for protecting the harp during inclement weather. Harps
absolutely cannot get wet, so you should have a rain plan. The
temperature outdoors should also be between 60 degrees and 95 degrees
Fahrenheit; anything outside of that zone can cause damage to the harps
and can make keeping them in tune. Amplification outdoors will depend
on the availability of electricity, naturally. Outdoor event rates will
apply.
How much experience do you have?
I do about 50 or 60 weddings a year; several solo
concerts; and many “background music events” at
restaurants, country clubs, corporate events, and residential
facilities in between. I’ve been playing the harp professionally
for more than twelve years.
Is harp too quiet to be heard at my event?
Event acoustics can vary tremendously based on
building construction, outdoor locations, number of guests, etc. Even
unamplified, harps can put out a surprising amount of volume! Still, in
“acoustically-challenged” locations, they can be amplified.
I use state-of-the-art technology to ensure accurate, lush sound
quality. I regularly play in large venues such as convention centers
for up to a thousand people without difficulty. Please feel to ask me
about your specific venue requirements.
Do I need to have other instruments along with
harp?
Nope. The harp is capable of such full voicing that
it isn’t necessary to have other instruments play with it to give
a rich, satisfying sound. I can easily work with vocalists or other
instruments, however, to create lovely ensembles.
Does the harp need to come to my wedding
rehearsal?
Generally speaking, no. Our planning meetings are
usually detailed enough that my presence at your rehearsal isn’t
required unless you have “more choreography than the Moscow
Ballet”! Your rehearsal is mostly to rehearse who stands where,
says what, and is in charge of what during the ceremony. Most of that
doesn’t involve the harpist at all. Your bridesmaids will
certainly be able to figure out how to walk with music in the
background without having to rehearse it to live music. If you think
you really need me at the rehearsal, call me to discuss availability
and rates. Taking the harp to the rehearsal will be billed at my
standard hourly charge plus any relevant travel expenses.
Can you provide amplification for other things,
too?
I’ve gotten very good over the years at
amping harps and musicians, but I’m not really set up for much
beyond that scope. An extra microphone can sometimes be used for things
like amplfying wedding vows or for making announcements and speeches if
conditions are right. An extra fee will apply for this, so we will
discuss it at your consultation. Your event site and weather conditions
must accommodate amplification for this to be possible, and it must be
planned in advance.
How much more expensive is it to have other
musicians perform along with harp?
It depends on the musician, but a general rule of
thumb is that “double the musicians will double the price”.
With the exception of The Lakeshore Duet, each one will contract with
you individually and quote their own prices. An additional fee will
often apply for rehearsal time. If you would like me to work with
another vocalist or musician of your choosing, a rehearsal is always
required before the date of the event. Please contact me for further
details and additional requirements.
Who built your website, and how?
I’m always flattered when people write to ask
me about the website itself. I built it myself (and make no claims to
being a web designer). I use a high-end (translation: “expensive
but worth it”) graphic design/desktop publishing application
called QuarkXPress that allows me to lay out the web site much like a
piece destined for printing. I tell it how to manipulate the images and
text (a far more complex process than you want to read about here) and
then QuarkXpress translates the whole mess to HTML. No, I don’t
know HTML. I’m just a graphic designer who likes to experiment!
Well, no. In a city that boasts The Eastman School
and The Hochstein School as well as several “degreed” harp
teachers, I make no claims to being a teacher as such. In a world of
“pedigree dogs” I confess to being thoroughly a
“mutt” in that I’m self-taught! What works for me may
or may not work for anyone else. Harp is really unusual in that
teachers almost always hold degrees in harp performance; (I’ve
always found it odd that many very respected guitar and piano teachers
are simply great at what they do and don’t necessarily hold
degrees, the world of harp can be a touch picky.) So no, I don’t
“teach”. Now, if anyone wants to learn my “Mutt
Technique”, that’s a different story altogether, and anyone
thinking along those lines should be forewarned that it will never get
you to Carnegie Hall, will never prepare you for international
competition, but may well result in more fun and enjoyment than is
strictly allowed. There. Disclaimer issued! And no, you’re never
too old to learn. Trust me.
