Harp Tutor
Wendy Stewart
Scotland

Born in Edinburgh, Wendy studied harp with the great teacher Jean Campbell, attended regular Clarsach Society gatherings, made appearances at the Edinburgh Fringe, and learned to accompany fantastic Gaelic singers. Wendy continued her involvement in the music scene in North West England where she was a member of many bands, notably Donal Maguire's Occasional Band playing Irish and French repertoire and Fat Hen, performing Swedish, English, Welsh and Cajun music.

Wendy has taught harp courses throughout Europe and North America. She joined the established band Ceolbeg, whose sound developed to combine Highland pipes, electro harp, synth, drums and the fantastic vocals of, initially Davy Steele and subsequently, Rod Paterson. She toured the UK, Germany and North America with them and recorded 4 CDs. She continues her Ceolbeg connection in a unique pairing of harp - acoustic and electro - and pipes - small and great - with Gary West. Hinterlands is their first CD on their own label.

ABOUT TIME CD: features contemporary, traditional, and original tunes and showcases Wendy as both an arranger and composer..

Having recorded 3 solo CDs and produced 3 books of music, Wendy is developing a range of teaching books with accompanying CDs to help the student harper even further.
Wendy has been a principal tutor of Scottish Harp at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow since its BA Scottish Music Degree course was established. She both contributed to and examines for the Traditional Music Grade Exam program run by the Academy and accredited by the ABRSM.

Heather Yule offers unique programs of Harp and Traditional Tales from Scotland and Ireland designed for adults and also for children.  The daughter of Scottish harp maker, John Yule, Heather took up the harp as a child. During her childhood, she was regularly exposed to storytelling as a traditional art form practiced by the Scottish traveling people.  The magic of their stories, passed down family lines for hundreds of years, stayed with her and she now incorporates harp music to enrich the telling of these treasures as well as other stories she has since collected.  Heather’s dual skills make her a favorite guest artist and teacher at storytelling and harp festivals in Scotland and abroad. She has traveled throughout Britain, Iceland, Scandinavia, Canada and the States in her dual role.  For fifteen years she has been on the Board of the Edinburgh International Harp Festival. She has taught annually at the festival and has performed as a guest artist.

 Lisa has been composing and arranging music for voice and instruments for over 40 years.  She first encountered the modes during a composition class in 1980, and has been using them in her performance and compositions ever since.  Lisa is certified as a Clinical Musician through the Clinical Musician program at Harp for Healing, and was certified as a vibroacoustic harp therapist in 2011.  Lisa’s full time job is in healthcare quality improvement, and she has a home-based healing ministry offering harp-related therapies and spiritual direction through individual and group work.

Michele received an autoharp from her Irish grandfather when she was three years old, but didn't enter the harp world until her husband built one for her when she suddenly retired from teaching in '95.  Michele earned her Ph.D. in '84, taught special ed. students of all ages and exceptionalities for over 33yrs., and is an award winning seamstress, jeweler, and writer.  She loves the historical context of songs, Scottish culture, and is a member of the Intl. Threshold Choir, the NM Celtic Singers, and the ABQ Civic Chorus.  She lives In Albuq. NM.  

Linda Larkin, MMus, MSW, maintains an active harp studio in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She is founder and director of High Desert Harp Ensemble, a group of 12 harpers performing since 1999. Larkin’'s published works include Ensemble Etudes, Chants in the Celtic Tradition, and Chants in the Sephardic Tradition. She is currently working on a third CD of chants.

Julie, who will be leading the harp circle, is a devoted member of the High Desert Harp Ensemble, directed by Linda Larkin of Santa Fe. She has composed music for modern dance ensemble. She is currently performing with the Becky Reardon Trio, comprised of vocals, harp and guitar. The trio performs original music influenced by Celtic, jazz, and folk roots. Julie loves the group dynamics of performing with other musicians and harpers.