Last May we asked harpists to share photos of their harp lives with us with the hashtag #practicalharpist. One year and nearly 3,000 #practicalharpist photos later, we continue to be amazed every day at the fascinating, beautiful, and sometimes bizarre #practicalharpist photos you share. The winner of this challenge showed us how her tablet has changed her harp life. We’ve also picked a few of the most popular #practicalharpist photos from the last year, as well as a few of our favorites. Keep sharing your harp life photos on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook using the hashtag #practicalharpist.

Winner: Kristen Hoyos

Find Kristen on Instagram: @harpistkristenelizabeth

Home: Valrico, Fla.

Caption: Out with the old…in with the new! Loving my new iPad Pro! Perfect size for
reading and storing sheet music!

Age: 27

What’s your hidden talent? Well, I really love to cook. (Okay, I really love to eat.) Some people even say that I’m a great chef! I can also make (sew) clothes.

What do you do to avoid practicing? I love to practice—no, seriously—I do! I usually have my hands full chasing after a 2-and-a-half-year-old and taking care of the baby, so I enjoy every opportunity I get to practice! Sometimes it’s only a couple minutes at a time, but I’m thankful for every moment I get to play.

What is your favorite smartphone app? I love Instagram and Pinterest! I love looking up recipes and craft ideas. What did you want to be when you were a kid? I always wanted to be a music teacher until I was in high school. Then I decided I wanted to be a doctor. I even have my bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences. I realized (better late than never) that music has my soul, and I wanted to pursue my passion!

A few of our favorite #practicalharpist photos:

Join in our next photo challenge! Show us your view from the harp. Whether you are looking up from the pit, out at the world beyond your harp room, or into a beautiful hall like this shot from Cathy Litaker in Chicago (right), share your photos by June 1 with the hashtag #practicalharpist for a chance to win a one-year subscription to Harp Column and be featured our next issue!