teaching

As an instructor, Cynthia Shelhart's mission is to make playing the harp accessible to everyone interested in learning. Her harp workshops and private lessons for beginning and intermediate students feature her creative, motivational and organized teaching style.

Harp Workshops and Presentations
Whether you're totally new to the harp, or already play at a beginning or intermediate level, Cynthia has a workshop for you. Hands-on workshops and lecture/demonstrations are available for harp organizations, festivals, and other interested groups throughout the United States.

Workshop topics (see detailed list) include Scottish and Irish repertoire, music for lap harp and double-strung harp, harp ensemble, performance skills, and "Discover the Harp" for future harpers. Master classes and other workshop topics are available by request.

Individual 90-minute workshops can be combined with additional workshops and Cynthia's harp performances for an exciting day or weekend of harp. For extended harp study during the summer months (mid-June to mid-August), Cynthia is also available to teach at summer schools and festivals.

Contact Cynthia to schedule a harp workshop or presentation, or to obtain additional information.

Harp Lessons
Cynthia also teaches beginning and intermediate students, ages 7 and up, at her studio in Chesterton, Indiana. Children's lessons are 30 minutes long, taught weekly; adult lessons are 45 minutes long, scheduled twice a month, usually biweekly. Students learn by ear, by reading music, and through musical improvisation, in an organized and motivational environment.

Although Cynthia specializes in traditional and contemporary Scottish and Irish music, other musical styles may be available for study upon request. Each student learns individualized nylon- or gut-strung technique for the small harp. Harps with 22 strings (recommended: lowest note, G below middle C) and larger are welcome. Double-strung harp lessons are available for harpers with experience on other harps.

For the beginning student who does not already have a harp, Cynthia recommends the Harpsicle™ and Sharpsicle™ harps made by William Rees Instruments.

Contact Cynthia to schedule harp lessons, or to learn more about harp study.