Rachel Avery

I've been playing the celtic harp for over 19 years, and I still have the harp I started on. The harp is a great instrument in so many ways. You get a handmade instrument (most are made in the USA) which is beautiful to look at that will allow you to make wonderful sounds right off the bat. I came to the harp after taking many years of piano lessons, and many of the skills are transferrable. I learned on my own for many years, and then I took lessons with Beatriz Martin-Ruiz (now in New York), who taught me good technique and introduced me to the greater harp repertoire.

Besides playing for events, weddings, and teaching lessons, I also serve as the head of the Madison Folk Harp Society, and as part of my outreach for that group, I offer a free one-hour lesson/introduction for anyone who wants to actually play a harp and see if it's the right instrument for them. I am also happy to help you find a teacher in your neighborhood or find an instrument in your price range.