Celtic Harp Lessons for Adults
Online & San Diego, CA
Play Like a Pro — Even If You Don’t Have A Lot Of Time To Practice!
I hated practicing as a kid. And to be honest, I rarely did it. In fact, I made it all the way through two music degrees with minimal time in the practice room. How? Was I just lazy and lucky? Or just “that talented?” No way.
I managed to progress and learn and grow, not through relentless hours in the practice room, or sheer dumb luck, but by learning to practice efficiently. The question was never “how much did I practice?” but “how well did I practice?” And that made all the difference.
That’s why you’ll never hear me ask you “how much did you practice this week?” Instead, I might ask, “did you play your harp?” or, “how was playing this week?” It sounds simple, but it’s a radically different way to approach your musicianship.
The Minimal Practice Program
My Minimal Practice Program is a once a week harp program designed specifically for busy adults. In this program, you’ll move through the same amount of material you would in traditional lessons, but with only about 10 minutes of practice per day. Some of the most dedicated students will progress even faster than average, becoming proficient in less than a year! (No, I am not kidding!)
What to Expect
- You’ll learn chords from day one so they can play smoothly, with freedom
- You’ll get a recording of your lesson to play with during the week (this is one of the secrets to your impending success!)
- You’ll have access to me in between lessons via email and text so you can get help during the week when you need it
- You’ll learn all the music with me… so that you don’t struggle at home
- You’ll learn to play with my custom backing tracks within weeks of joining the program… so you can sound really good when you play for your kids, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren
- You’ll learn my Perfect Practice Makes Perfect system so you can sound great from day 1
- You can play your favorite tunes from the radio or popular movies within months of beginning with custom arrangements by me, tailored directly to you and your playing level
What It’s Like
Weekly Minimal Practice Classes
This is the main way you’ll make progress. Each week you’ll learn new concepts and songs to play for your family (or yourself!) at home. You’ll learn all music with me… unlike most studios that teach concepts and then send you off to practice at home alone.
30 Minute Musician Session
Did you know that it’s possible for you to sound good from your very first lesson? Truly! In your very first lesson with me… you'll learn all the basics of playing with chords, and your first song in 30 minutes.
Perfect Practice Packet
My personalized practice packet with instructions, prompts, and resources so your practice sessions at home are jam packed with value. Quality over quantity will win — 100% of the time.
“Student Support System” Bonus
No student in my studio ever gets stuck at home…I make sure of it. I offer support via text or email if you get stuck during the week, or forget what you learned during your weekly class.
What students say…
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"Very friendly, relaxed, down-to-earth & very helpful for a beginner with selecting a good harp. She even found where I can buy it in my local area for me."
Ebony
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"My first harp lesson with Kathryn was fantastic! She was detailed, supportive, friendly, and energetic. I can’t wait to keep working with her!"
Aisha
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"Kathryn is extremely nice & very helpful and encouraging! Looking forward to more lessons with her."
Scarlett
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"I highly recommend Kathryn. She is full of good ideas and helpful suggestions for everything from improving technique to writing down my own compositions. Her teaching style is relaxed and friendly."
Kristin
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"Kathryn is an excellent teacher. She has a unique ability to make learning fun as she shares her passion for the harp. She is patient, and easily adapts the lesson to the specific needs and learning style of the student. Looking forward to many more lessons with her!"
Sharon
Get Started
I believe in giving each of my students 100% of my attention. That’s why I limit my studio enrollment — so that I’m always here for you, and I don’t burn out.
And spots are limited.
I only have 6 spots for new students at this time.
If you’d like to be one of those students, simply click the button below to send in a lesson request.
Do I need a harp in order to begin classes?
If you are planning to take lessons online, then yes, you will need to secure a harp before lessons can begin. If you live in the San Diego area and are able to take lessons in person, then no, you can use one of our studio harps for lessons until you are able to secure your own. You can also rent a studio harp if you are not yet ready to purchase one. Don’t worry, I’ll walk you through that whole process.
Where do I get a harp?
The best place to get a harp is directly from the manufacturer, or from a harp store like the Virginia Harp Center. If you are fortunate to have a local music store that carries harps, go for it! Just be aware that general music stores will likely not know very much about the instrument so it’s always a good idea to do your research first. My personal recommendation is the Dusty Strings Ravenna. They come in two sizes, are affordable, and they sound great! (No, this is not an affiliated link, this is my genuine professional opinion.)
How much do harps cost?
As the saying goes, “You get what you pay for.” But don’t let that discourage you! There are some very affordable options, especially for beginners. Again, please DO NOT BUY FROM EBAY, AMAZON or ETSY.
I already play __ (piano, guitar, etc). Will that help me when playing the harp?
Yes! and No ;) Any musical background will give you a greater understanding of music and therefore speed up the learning process. However, it’s important to remember that each instrument is different and will require a different technique to play.