This is actually a link for the Sacramento chapter of the Scottish Dance Society webpage, but if you click on the link for Janet Kurnick (who handles Membership and also Archives) she may be able to help you because she plays harp and is based in the area. (She can remember Joanna Newsom as a student.)
Best of luck – go for it. And remind your hubby that a decent-quality secondhand harp will always SELL if it doesn’t work out.