NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contact: Julie  Fowler

Toll Free: 1-800-442-ARTS (2787)

Tel: 250-994-3466   Fax: 250-994-3433

Email: media@imarts.com

WELLS, BC, October 31, 2007….Wells, BC is the place to be this summer if you’re a Celtic harpist. Island Mountain Arts has just announced a stellar line up of instructors for its 22^nd Annual International Celtic Harp School which runs from August 12 – 16, 2008. The all-star crew of harpists include Kim Robertson from the United States, Lori Pappajohn from Vancouver, Sunita Staneslow from Israel and Sharlene Wallace from Toronto. Along side this summer’s harpists, Israeli fiddle player, Gal Shahar will also travel to Wells to teach.

“Every one of the past 22 years has been wonderful - but my expectations for this coming season are as high as they could possibly be. Island Mountain will always be indebted to Kim for supporting us in the early years; here's a chance for many to come and take her class and say thanks!” said IMA Board member and creator of the Celtic Harp School, Marilyn Rummel.

As Rummel indicates Island Mountain Arts is very excited to bring back the imminent Kim Robertson who has been involved with the Celtic Harp School since the early years. One of the most popular harpists performing today, Robertson is a pioneer in the American folk harp movement, her original compositions and arrangements of traditional Celtic music have stretched the boundaries of the harp for a new generation of performers. Robertson will be teaching Advanced Harp this summer.

Once a student of Robertson’s the ever popular and innovative Sharlene Wallace returns to Wells to teach Intermediate Harp. A native of Toronto, Wallace is a renowned international recording and touring musician, with a style that is all her own. Her latest album, Anticipation, a collaboration with pianist and flutist, Susan Piltch, has received rave reviews.

Lori Pappajohn, the teacher for Beginner Harp, has been a staple at the School for many years and is revered for her ability to inspire new harpists. Best known for her work with the wildly popular Winter Harp Ensemble that travels the country, Pappajohn has released numerous CDs and has toured internationally.

Sunita Staneslow, who will be teaching Early Intermediate Harp specializes in Celtic and Jewish music and her many harp recordings and books have built a loyal following around the globe. She often plays as a duo with fiddle player Gal Shahar, who will travel with Staneslow to Wells to teach a fiddle course geared towards playing the fiddle as an accompanying instrument.

Now running for over twenty years the International Celtic Harp School in Wells has played an important role in the development of the Celtic Harp movement in Western Canada. The blockbuster line-up in 2008 reveals that the School continues to be a leader in the harp community offering an experience that is unmatched for harpists of all levels.

For more information or to register please call 1-800-442-2787, email info@imarts.com or visit www.imarts.com. IMA is pleased to keep tuition rates the same as last summer with an Early Bird rate of $429 plus tax, which includes a ticket to the Annual Harp Dinner and Concert at the Sunset Theatre on August 13^th.

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