Most of us have read at least one Dr. Seuss book at some point in our life. Arguably, one of his most poignant is Oh, the Places You’ll Go, a lighthearted, yet deep take of the importance of seizing opportunities, trying new things that speak to you, and keeping an open mind. It is said that life is meant to be sampled—we must try new things in order to find what resonates with us.

As an adult learner, I dove whole-heartedly into the harp world and soon learned it offered many life experiences beyond playing an instrument.

As an adult learner, I dove whole-heartedly into the harp world and soon learned that it offered many life experiences beyond playing an instrument. I have found lifelong friendships, community, never-ending learning opportunities, and plenty of fun. But before I could uncover these fulfilling experiences, I had to wade through the intimidation and fear of the unknown that stood in the way. 

As a harp student, I have attended five festivals, four harp camps or retreats (in three different countries), and two harp conferences. At first I was a bit intimidated and unsure of what to expect. Over the years, I’ve learned a lot about the distinctions of these different gatherings. The common denominator of all of these harp events is that they offer an immersive experience with other people—from all different backgrounds—who are keenly interested in and passionate about the harp. Spending time with these people infuses me with inspiration, instills a steadfast desire to continue learning, and, best of all, involves a lot of fun and laughter. To encourage more students like me to try a new harp experience, I’d like to offer what I have found to be the overall “vibe” of each type of event.

Conferencestend to have academic and professional overtones, though many students and amateurs attend. There are often harp competitions for all to observe. There are always many concerts of the highest caliber. Conferences are often attended by professional harpists, teachers, students attending a conservatory, and young and older harp enthusiasts and students. There are a few workshops and presentations that tend to be “lecture style” or “presentation style” rather than hands-on sessions. They also offer receptions and social events.

Conferences have a “wow” factor based on the talent that is being presented on the various stages. The American Harp Society (AHS) Conferences take place every two years. The next AHS Conference will take place in Orlando, Fla., in June. The World Harp Congress also holds a conference every three years, and, as the name implies, occurs all over the globe. 

Festivalsare gatherings of like-minded people. My experience at festivals is that the passion for the instrument is palpable. Festivals offer a nice balance of both lever and pedal harpists. There is usually a “shopping hall” with harps, music, and other harp paraphernalia to peruse and purchase. Many people leave with stacks of new music to try, and some with a new harp! Most of the workshops are “hands-on” and therefore, you would want to have a harp at your disposal. (Often instruments are available for rent.) There can be opportunities to participate in an ensemble, and there are always concerts from various performers—both lever and pedal harpists. Many sessions are scheduled throughout the day, and therefore, you choose the ones that are aligned with your interest and ability. I adore the buzz of festivals—new friendships, new information and inspiration, social events, concerts, and more. 

Workshops can come in the form of a couple of hours or a full day. Often local harp society chapters organize them and they are priced very reasonably. The offerings can range from a workshop with a famous harpist that happens to be in town to a local harpist teaching on a topic in a group setting. Since workshops generally require you to bring your harp, they are a great way to build your skills and gain confidence moving your harp.

A masterclass is a specific type of “open” lesson where a few people play a piece of music for a master teacher who then coaches them on their playing and technique in front of a small audience. Masterclasses are not only helpful for the person being coached, but invariably, the coaching is applicable in some way to every musician in the audience. Workshops and masterclasses can be a great way to meet other harpists in your area. This is how community is built, and can be a great springboard to launch a harp circle or harp salon group. 

Last but not least, my personal favorite harp event, a retreatorcamp. These are generally a residential setting. You settle in for a long weekend or a full week or more. They are often in beautiful and relaxing settings, meals are provided, and your main objective for the week is to immerse yourself in practice, individual lessons, and group lessons. They often culminate in a small concert or recital at the end either for each other or for the local public. Retreats and camps allow for  concentrated time with your musical efforts and away from the distractions of daily life. Unless you are fortunate enough to live close to the retreat location, you will need to rent a harp, and this is often arranged through the event organizers. 

Having attended these various events, I can truly say that the “harp immersion” experience is something not to be missed! Sharing the love and passion of the harp with other enthusiasts is a life-enriching experience. By design, these events are meant to be inclusive, and they always allow the individual to choose the degree to which they want to partake in the offerings. These events are full of joy and inspiration!

Consider exploring a festival, a workshop, a masterclass, a conference, or a harp retreat—perhaps you’ll agree that there are many ways that our harp world can enhance your life. As Dr. Seuss wrote, “you have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself any way that you choose.” •