Beginner Harp
Instructor: Alys Howe
Monday Aug 16 - Friday, Aug 20
Early Bird Fee: $449 + HST (EARLY BIRD DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JUNE 15TH!)
Regular Fee: $499 + HST
Instructor: Alys Howe
Monday Aug 16 - Friday, Aug 20
Early Bird Fee: $449 + HST (EARLY BIRD DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JUNE 15TH!)
Regular Fee: $499 + HST
HST (12%) is now in effect on all activities taking place after July 1st. IMA is obliged to collect HST on all of our Summer School Programs.
Harp Rental: $65 for the week
Course Description:
This supportive and inspiring class is for those with limited or no prior experience on the harp. The two primary goals for the week will be to do what we love, and love what we do!
Topics covered will include:
o What the red ones are – harp orientation
o Tuning the harp
o Basic hand positioning and optimal posture at the harp
o Playing with strength, relaxation, and good tone
o Multi-tasking: counting, phrasing, fingering, brackets and placing!
o Scales and arpeggios: technique and exercises to build skill and speed
o Review of music literacy and theory concepts (as needed)
o Building your repertoire: simple tunes with LH accompaniment
o Creative chords, improvisation and arranging skills
o Where can you take the harp from here: finding your own style vision
o Practice methods
o Ensemble skills
o Performance preparation and playing with confidence
o Just have fun: why we “play” music (instead of “working” it!)
All materials will be taught by rote and by ear. Comfort with common keys and time signatures, and the ability to read bass and treble clef, will be an asset but are not required. Learners will be provided with written materials to aid memory. Where possible, the teacher will give less- and more- challenging options for all materials. Learners can participate at their own comfort level for the expansion of their musical horizons!
Alys Howe
Award-winning Alys Howe is unique among Celtic harpists in North America. She was the first overseas harp student accepted to the prestigious Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, and went on to obtain her Masters from the University of Limerick.
Through these programs, Alys studied with many of the most celebrated Celtic harp players of today, including Sileas, Savourna Stevenson, Corrina Hewatt, Catriona McKay, Michael Rooney, Laoise Kelly, and Janet Harbison. Prior to her specialization in Celtic music, Alys developed her classical background taking lessons from VSO harpist Elizabeth Volpe, later studying both pedal and lever harp with Sharlene Wallace, and currently receiving coaching from Heidi Krutzen. Some of the first and most important steps in Alys’ musical journey were taken at IMA International Harp School, with Kim Robertson and Sharlene Wallace. Today Alys is fascinated by the many and varied ways the harp is evolving, and continues to divide her time between the pedal harp and the lever harp, exploring diverse musical styles ranging from orchestral to Cape Breton piano influences!
Special Events
(Included in your tuition)
(Included in your tuition)
August 15, 7pm - Welcome Reception: A chance to meet your instructors and pick up your student information packages.
August 18 - Dinner and Harp Concert: Enjoy this evening of great food and performances by the instructors. Extra tickets can be purchased for the dinner and concert for $40: $25 for concert only.
August 20, 6pm - Final Night Ceilidh and Potluck Party: A chance for students and instructors to perform.
General Adult Course Information
Classes are held in the large, airy classrooms of the Wells-Barkerville School and run from 9am - 3:45pm with a lunch break from 12 - 1:30pm.
Please note that the lunch break for youth and children’s courses runs 12pm - 1pm.
An affordable breakfast and lunch will be available for purchase at the school.
Discounted accommodations, as well as discounts to restaurants and attractions in Wells/Barkerville are offered to IMA students from businesses.
REGISTRATION POLICY: A non-refundable deposit (approx. 25% of course fee unless otherwise stated) or full payment is required upon registration. Registration deadline is two weeks before course start date. Final payment is due no later than seven days before a course begins. Please add 5% GST to adult courses and material fees. Gift certificates are available.
REFUND POLICY: There are no refunds on course deposits. If full payment has been made and a student withdraws from a course, the fee less the deposit will be refunded.
NOTE: No refunds will be made during the final week before classes begin.
CANCELLATION POLICY: If Island Mountain Arts cancels a course due to insufficient registration, the entire fee will be refunded. Cancellation decisions are made two weeks before course start.
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL-PAY NOW! You’ll save about 10% on summer course fees if you pay in full by June 15th.