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Zup?I’m 13 years old I would love to chat to other harpists my age, if you are interested on chating with me if you want E-mail me well Thanks,Liz LATERZ!!!
Hi. I’m 13 y.o. Russian boy and I play a big pedal harp more than 7 years. I performed in Switzerland, Czechia, France, Belgium, Great Britain, Bulgaria, Lithuania. Please visit my web-site http://www.classicalmusic.spb.ru/boldachev/. I’d love to meet any male harpist!
Hi Carol,
Just found your question, so maybe you already made a
decision. I have two Cunninghams, a 31-stringTry emailing Sabien Canton. I hope this address still works: sabiencanton@yahoo.com (let me know if it doesn’t)
I am a Dutch harpist, but I don’t live in The Netherlands right now. Sabien Canton doesn’t live in the city Amsterdam but she is very active within the Dutch harp scene and has a lot of contacts there (she is also a member of the editorial staff of the Dutch Harp Bulletin. She will certainly be able to refer you to someone from Amsterdam who teaches at your level.
Brenda
Hi Susan,
Good question! There are many ways to deal with the business side of teaching, which you probably found out in your research. You may have to try a few different ways and see what works best for you. Here are a few things that I do:
Payment: I have students pay by the month. I used to have them pay for each lesson as they come (which eliminates the problem of cancellation, make-up lessons and sickness) but then you have the problem of people just not showing up. I know teachers who use a tuition plan for the school semester; however, most of my students would not be able to afford to pay in a lump sum.
Cancellation: I always try to be flexible with students if they occasionally need to reschedule a lesson, but they must call 24 hours in advance. Otherwise, they will pay for the lesson anyway, unless of emergencies or car trouble.
Make up Lessons: If I need to reschedule a student due to an unavoidable commitment, I try to make up their lesson as close as possible to their scheduled lesson. If that becomes impossible, I have a few days at the end of the month I schedule make-up times.
The point of having policies is to help communication regarding appropriate ways of dealing with problems, and making known the way you want to deal with issues. You need not be heavy-handed about it, but be firm about enforcing what you decide to do. It must be fair for each student and it helps them know what to expect. Once you have stated the “ground rules”, it is easier to be consistent. I strongly recommend you print your policies and hand them out to each student. That way everyone has the same information, and you don’t forget to mention something important to a new student.
Good luck!
whew!!!! Do I feel OLD!!!! I started at the age of 58 and am now 62! I was always in music. I have 3 older sisters to pick on me if I missed one note.We all took voice lessons and we all had to take piano. I have played these instruments: Clairnet,bell lyer,accordian,piano, and organ.I fiddled around with the violin.
I am now trying to get the harp under my control. At this late date I
Hi Saskia!
I just got a Venus Premier this fall, and I love it! It has beautiful sound. It was second hand as well. The lady I bought it from had had it for 10 years, and she loved it too.
I hope whatever harp you choose is wonderful for you!I have played both the Handel and the Debussy and find there are pros and cons to both. The Handel is less technically challenging (if you get the one edited by Lucile Lawrence, not Carlos Salzado) but you do have to watch out for the trills in the second movement. Those can be rather tricky on timing. The Handel can also get a little boring after playing it for a while but its advantage over the Debussy is that it can be played solo or with an orchestra. The Debussy has to be played with an orchestra and therefore is more limiting as to where it may be performed. Both pieces, though, are amazing and impressive if played properly. One thing I might suggest if you do the Lucile Lawrence edition of the Handel is that you get different cadenzas for the movements. Her’s are good but they are rather plain and short and are not as showy as some might prefer.
Hi Nelleke,
I suspect you are Dutch…
If so, and if you’re living in Holland, you might want to consider this:
I am Dutch and lived in Holland, now in the US for 2 years but I’ll move back in 1 year.
When I needed a pedal harp, I first rented a Lyon&Healy style 21 from my teacher for 2 years. (so 1 possibility is: renting a pedal harp).
Then, 7 years ago, I bought my own Salvi Aurora in Switzerland. How? My father was able to take an additional loan to his mortgage (like people do when they buy a new kitchen or so). So, apart from the 5.000 guilders I saved, he payed for the harp. Each year I am paying him at least the interest he owes for the extra loan. What I can save extra I give him to pay off the loan, which of course makes the interest lower for next year, etc. etc.
I know not everybody is as lucky to have a father who wants that and can do it but it could be a possibility. At least I feel more comfortable having a loan with my father that he doesn’t even ‘feel’ than with some company. Plus it’s less interest (especially after tax deduction) than a personal loan at a bank or so.
Good luck!
Brenda
