The harpists on this page are not affiliated with Classic Harps Northwest.
Please contact them directly for more information and booking possibilities.
Karen Almquist - (Silverton, OR)
Karen Almquist is a harpist and soprano performing for all occasions:
weddings, funerals, receptions, corporate or private parties. She's
recorded three CD's with flutist Jennifer Grady. The duo is known as
HarpSong. Their CD's, "Noel", "Sean's Dance" and "The River" are
available at Classic Harps NW. She prefers gigs in the Greater Willamette Valley and you can contact her by phone (503) 873-3175 or e-mail karenalmquist@verizon.net.
Janna Bisceglia & Whispering Roses
Janna Bisceglia performs harp in the greater Portland area for weddings
and special events. Her repertoire includes celtic, light classical,
contemporary and traditional music. Janna plays with a warmth
and flowing assurance that will grace any event. She can be booked as
a soloist, or with the quartet Whispering Roses.
Whispering Roses
is composed of sisters Sarah, Janna, Krista and Kathrina Bisceglia
playing piano, harp, English flutes and violin. With Whispering Roses,
Janna has recorded Journey Through The Highlands, and Never be Shaken: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. Whispering Roses offers historically-inspired costumes to add a unique touch to your event! Visit www.whisperingroses.net for more information and song samples. Contact us with the details of your event at 503-653-3862 or music@whisperingroses.net.
Celtic Muse - (Vancouver, WA) Valerie Blessley & Jennifer Pratt-Walter
Celtic Muse's extensive repertoire includes ancient aires and ballads, sprightly dances, stately medieval and Renaissance pieces, and light classics. Allow Celtic Muse to craft your own unique and unforgettable concert, ceremony or party with the angelic voices of harps, woven skillfully with Finnish kantele, sweet flute and recorder.
Celtic Muse is available at reasonable hourly rates or as a wedding performance package. Period dress is available for your historical-themed events. Available options include: Medieval, Ancient Scottish, Scandinavian, Prairie and Victorian dress.
Contact Valerie Blessley at (360) 576-8111 or blesses@pacifier.com or Jennifer Pratt-Walter at (360) 693-4715 or lyrica@comcast.net to schedule Celtic Muse as part of your special event in the Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR area. Call to ask about our travel options if you live outside of the Vancouver/Portland area.
Leigh Brown - (Sherwood, OR)
Leigh Brown has been a professional freelance harpist who has been playing for over 22 years as a soloist, in ensemble and in orchestra in Oregon, Indiana, Maryland, and Washington D.C. She plays anywhere from classical to contemporary to pop and jazz music for weddings, private parties, business functions, dinner parties, wine events and culinary events. Currently, she is based in Oregon and enjoys making every occasion special by setting the perfect mood. Please visit her website at http://www.leighbrownharp.com or email llbrown95@yahoo.com.
Bethany Evans - (Salem, OR)
Bethany Evans is a harpist with experience playing all types of events,
including weddings, parties, and concerts. She has a Bachelor of Music
in Harp Performance from the University of Arizona as well as a Masters
in Harp from the University of Oregon. Bethany has performed
throughout the United States and Europe, has various recordings, and
has a Christmas CD planned for 2009. She welcomes gigs in Oregon and
Southwest Washington. You may contact her at harphymns@hotmail.com or at (503) 399-7374.
Elaine Hesselman -(Lake Oswego, OR)
Elaine Hesselman attended U.S.C. on a four year harp scholarship.Raised
in Southern California, she was a student of three prominent studio
harpists, Aida Mulieri, Dorthy Remsen, and Catherine Gothoffer. Elaine
was harpist with the Pasadena, San Jose, Montery, and Santa Cruz
Symphony orchestras, and also member and soloist with the popular Ray
Conniff Orchestra. Elaine received her Masters Degree in harp
performance at the California Institute of the Arts prior to relocating
to Oregon in 1975. She has been a harpist with Portland Opera, Oregon
Symphony, Chamber Music Northwest, and the Oregon Coast and Sunriver
Music Festivals. She presently is principal harpist for the Vancouver
and Columbia Symphony Orchestras. She teaches in her home studio in
Lake Oswego and at Lewis and Clark College.
Kate Petak - (SE Portland, OR)
Award winning harpist Kate Petak has been performing for audiences
since the age of thirteen. She has received critical acclaim for
performances in orchestras, chamber ensembles, and as a soloist
throughout the United States, England, and Japan. Areas of special
interest include modern music, opera, and small ensembles. Having
recently obtained her master's degree in harp performance, she is
interested in sharing her music with the public by performing in
hotels, restaurants, hospitals, and churches in the Portland area. She
is interested in playing weddings, parties, corporate events, solo
recitals, chamber music, and in orchestras. Kate can be reached by
phone at 503-705-9560, by email at kate.petak@gmail.com, or through her website, www.katepetak.com.
Laura Zaerr - (Corvalis, OR)
Laura Zaerr
teaches both pedal harp and folk harp
at the University of Oregon, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree
in music performance and composition. She was a three-time recipient
of the Ruth Lorraine Close Award for musical studies. She holds a master’s
degree in harp performance from the Eastman School of Music, where she
studied with Eileen Malone. Over the past 20 years Laura has produced
several solo CDs featuring original compositions and arrangements of
Celtic tunes as well as recording collaboratively with various musical
groups. Laura’s artistic interests extend beyond performance.
With the help of her father, she renovated a single-action pedal harp
built in Paris in 1892. Laura’s exquisite performances of little-known
classical harp works on this unique and beautiful instrument has gained
national attention. As well as maintaining a thriving studio in Corvallis,
Laura travels throughout the Northwest giving workshops and concerts.
In her spare time she enjoys white-water kayaking. You can reach Laura at lauraz@peak.org or through her website laurazaerr.com.
Student Performers
Below is a list of student performers.
Please contact them directly for more information and booking possibilities.
Danielle Hassett - (Beaverton, OR)
Danielle has been playing harp since 2003 and recently acquired the title of State Champion in harp in May of 2009. Not only does she teach students, but she performs with orchestras, enjoys participating in harp competitions, and frequently volunteers to play at Our Lady of Peace.
You can contact her at (503) 789-2993.
Claire Couch - (Oregon City, OR)
Claire first played the folk harp at age eight. She has performed at private parties, church and community events, and occasionally accompanies a choir. She has performed in front of audiences of up to four hundred. She enjoys playing a variety of styles, from Scottish folk music to contemporary pieces.
You can contact her at (503) 631-2003 or email clairecouchharpist@gmail.com.
Jim Stieren - (Albany, OR)
Jim
loves stringed instruments, and has played steel-string, classical, and
bass guitar for many years. He has been a student of the harp since
2009. He enjoys playing folk and pop tunes, light classical, hymns, and
Christmas pieces.
Jim is available for background music and has performance repertoire for 1-2 hour events. In addition to
the harp, he can perform guitar music. He is willing to travel anywhere between Eugene and Portland. You can contact Jim at (541)977-7804 or email strawberryjam64@yahoo.com.
If you are a harp performer in the area and would like to include your information here, please email marni@classicharpsnw.com
