Editor’s Note—In our Practice Makes Harpist series, we are following nine harpists over the next several years to see how their practice evolves and shapes their musical experience. This installment shares the stories of three young harpists as they work towards bright futures in music.

Music plays an important part in all our lives—even more so in the lives of children, helping them develop new mental and physical skills, beyond those of the normal school curriculum. Music can boost everything from linguistic ability to fine motor and social skills. The harpists starting now form the generation of harp enthusiasts who will carry harp music into the future, creating new interpretations, carrying on old traditions, and simply having fun with music. If they get inspired, they will spend many dedicated hours of their lives devoted to practice, supported by teachers and parents. 

In our Practice Makes Harpist series, we’ve selected three young harpists to follow—Sarah Ramson, and sisters Samantha and Sabrina Ferris. In the practice logs they have submitted weekly since June 2021, they have practiced over 200 hours. We applaud their dedication and look forward to watching them grow. 

Sarah Ramson

Over her seven years of playing the harp, Sarah Ramson has perfected practicing, with the help of her practice coach, her mother, Robin Ramson. Sarah practices in a structured way, around an hour a day five days a week, with weekends for extra practice and a day off. Using her “Purpose in Practice Journal,” she sets goals, focusing on pieces that need the most work first. In practice she enjoys polishing pieces most because of the “sense of satisfaction of reaching a goal and conquering something difficult.”

In order to raise money for Sarah’s new professional pedal harp, the family put together a fundraising concert. In November 2021 Sarah put her practice to the test and played a full concert. Sarah reports that both the audience and the artist enjoyed the experience and her new Salvi Arion SG should arrive soon.

 Sarah’s teacher, Robbin Gordon-Cartier, says she tries to give her students a lot of independence in the learning process. “My goal for my students is that they love music, and that they find a way to express themselves with their hearts and with their music, ultimately, of their own choice,” she says. “I let students set their personal goals, so they take ownership and work all the harder to achieve those goals.” 

Gordon-Cartier goes on to point out the ownership Sarah takes in her own practicing. “Sarah’s not one for marathon practice, rather more focused practice. If I had to give Sarah’s practicing a name, I’d say troubleshooting. She’s very clear on which parts need work.”

The Ferris Sisters 

Three years ago, Samantha Ferris started the harp. She says she enjoys all aspects of practicing, especially the accomplishment she feels when she’s learned a new piece or perfected another part. Samantha finds the harp opens up opportunities for her, like meeting new people in the ensemble group. “It’s also just cool and unique to play the harp,” she says. When Samantha decides to start a task, she finishes it. Shortly after starting intermediate level, she learned of an upcoming competition, and decided to try, learning eight pieces in three and a half months. 

 Samantha is not the only harpist in the family. Younger sister Sabrina also studies the harp. When it comes to having a sister playing the same instrument, Samantha and Sabrina agree—sometimes it’s annoying, especially if they work on the same piece. However, Samantha finds it “cool” to play harp duets, and Sabrina says she likes the fact that her older sister can help her with difficult parts.

The girls both study with Pollyanna Mathias, who says,“Beyond keeping music fun, one of my goals for both the girls is that they can master the technique of relaxing their hands, so they can balance the squeezing and releasing the tension between notes—a technique that will set them up for a lifetime of playing.” 

Mathias notes the similarities and differences in the sisters as students. “Sabrina is task driven and focuses very well in lessons,” Mathias says. “In lessons, she takes instructions and is able to understand and apply them quickly. Her practices sessions (around 20 minutes daily) are short and efficient. 

“Samantha has a strong work ethic,” Mathias notes. “She is like a sponge when it comes to learning pieces that inspire her and speak to her heart. Since joining a harp ensemble and a youth orchestra a few months ago, she has been inspired to work on her technique, having met others her age who have been learning the harp longer. She is determined to put more purpose in practice.” 

These three young musicians have more than harp in common. They are all active figure skaters and participate in a variety of other sports. Sarah plays four other instruments and loves ballet, chess, and reading. Samantha is another ballerina who takes oboe lessons and enjoys volleyball, while Sabrina is active in gymnastics and plans to start classical guitar lessons soon.

Interestingly all three girls say they fell in love with the harp for the same reason—the lovely unique sound that so sensitively touches their hearts and souls. •