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Venue: Willow East clear filter
Wednesday, July 29
 

08:30 EDT

Move Well, Play Better: #1 Balance - the essential starting point
Wednesday July 29, 2026 08:30 - 09:20 EDT
Willow East
Move Well, Play Better: A Course of 5 Practical Interactive Workshops: Exploring Our First Instrument (The Body) In Relation To Our Second (The Harp) Presented by Imogen Barford and Fiona Tree, both highly experienced harpists and teachers of the Alexander Technique.

Session #1 Sitting in Balance - Learn why balance is so essential for freedom in playing. Learn how to find balance, along with finding the major joints and places of balance on ourselves.
Presenters
avatar for Imogen Barford

Imogen Barford

Imogen Barford runs the 'Move Well, Play Better' programme of Alexander Technique and Body Mapping at the Guildhall School of Music in London, where she is Head of Harp. As well as a wide-ranging harp career, she holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Performing Arts Medicine.
Wednesday July 29, 2026 08:30 - 09:20 EDT
Willow East
  Participatory Workshop, Health & Wellbeing

10:15 EDT

The Growth of a Harp Centred Community of Practise 🍁
Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:15 - 11:00 EDT
Willow East
How the Huron Harp School has built an inclusive and thriving community for harp learners of all levels through group practices and performances.
Presenters
avatar for Sharon Johnston

Sharon Johnston

Huron Harp School
Sharon Johnston is a well-established musician in midwestern Ontario, performing frequently on harp and piano. She runs a busy studio in Goderich, where she directs the Huron Harp School, which has over 35 members. She is a composer, arranger, and recording artist, the most recent... Read More →
avatar for Elysha Vorstenbosch

Elysha Vorstenbosch

Huron Harp School, AHS Young Composers Project
Elysha Vorstenbosch is a harp player, composer, and improviser living in Perth County, Ontario. She has a Bachelor of Music degree from Wilfrid Laurier University where she studied lever harp, composition, and improvisation. Elysha performs frequently as a soloist all around Southern... Read More →
avatar for Margot Sippel

Margot Sippel

Huron Harp School
Margot Sippel is a Jungian Psychotherapist in private practice and works with clients across the globe. She is a Professor Emeritus having taught for decades, and started harp lessons despite not being able to read music and wearing two hearing aids. Now, profoundly deaf and with... Read More →
Ensembles
avatar for Huron Harp School

Huron Harp School

Huron Harp School is based in Goderich, ON under the direction of Sharon Johnston. Established in 2006, the harp school offers private and group lessons and has nurtured a vibrant harp community in Huron County. All students regardless of musical experience gather to make music together... Read More →
Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:15 - 11:00 EDT
Willow East
  Lecture, Lecture Recital, Pedagogy

16:30 EDT

Exploring the Music Therapy profession for Harpists
Wednesday July 29, 2026 16:30 - 17:15 EDT
Willow East
Defining Music Therapy credentials and practice within the harp community as a profession, differentiating it from harp therapy training and other therapeutic music practices.
Presenters
avatar for Jessica Brizuela

Jessica Brizuela

Jessica Brizuela, MT-BC is a harpist, educator, and board-certified music therapist (MT-BC) with additional credentials in Neurological Music Therapy and Hospice & Palliative Care Music Therapy. Through her passions of music and medicine, Jessica linked her education studying: music... Read More →
Wednesday July 29, 2026 16:30 - 17:15 EDT
Willow East
  Lecture, History & Practice
 
Thursday, July 30
 

08:30 EDT

Move Well, Play Better: #2 Tools for overcoming Performance Anxiety
Thursday July 30, 2026 08:30 - 09:20 EDT
Willow East
Move Well, Play Better: A Course of 5 Practical Interactive Workshops Exporing Our First Instrument (The Body) In Relation To Our Second (The Harp) Presented by Imogen Barford and Fiona Tree, both highly experienced harpists and teachers of the Alexander Technique.

Session #2 Practical Tools for Overcoming Performance Anxiety - How to transform stress problems.
Presenters
avatar for Imogen Barford

Imogen Barford

Imogen Barford runs the 'Move Well, Play Better' programme of Alexander Technique and Body Mapping at the Guildhall School of Music in London, where she is Head of Harp. As well as a wide-ranging harp career, she holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Performing Arts Medicine.
Thursday July 30, 2026 08:30 - 09:20 EDT
Willow East
  Participatory Workshop, Health & Wellbeing

10:00 EDT

Conversations on Mental Illness through Music
Thursday July 30, 2026 10:00 - 10:50 EDT
Willow East
This concert-presentation encourages open conversations about mental illnesses that many musicians live with, through personal stories and commissioned works by Caroline Lizotte and Nathan Cornelius.
Presenters
avatar for Heather Cornelius

Heather Cornelius

Heather Cornelius’ research and performance projects focus on helping music teachers empower students experiencing mental health challenges. She obtained Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees from the University of Minnesota, studying with Kathy Kienzle. She earned... Read More →
Thursday July 30, 2026 10:00 - 10:50 EDT
Willow East
  Lecture, Health & Wellbeing

15:00 EDT

Alexander Rider: Divertissement à la roumaine
Thursday July 30, 2026 15:00 - 15:50 EDT
Willow East
A lecture performance that documents the contribution of Romanian harpists to the French repertoire of the 20th century.
Presenters
avatar for Alexander Rider

Alexander Rider

Alexander Rider freelances with major UK ensembles including the BBC Symphony, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the Royal Opera and Ballet Orchestra; the City of Birmingham Symphony, Brighton Philharmonic, Gabrieli Consort, and the Academy of Ancient Music. Passionate about French... Read More →
Thursday July 30, 2026 15:00 - 15:50 EDT
Willow East
  Lecture, Lecture Recital, History & Practice

16:00 EDT

The Érard Family
Thursday July 30, 2026 16:00 - 16:45 EDT
Willow East
A new edition of the first published research on the Érard harp production (including Pleyel and L&H harps) based on original documents and instruments
Presenters
avatar for Giuliano Marco Mattioli

Giuliano Marco Mattioli

After two Harp Diplomas in just six years of study in 2005 and 2007, Giuliano Marco Mattioli delved into historical performance practice with Mara Galassi. He won several competitions and collaborated with various orchestras, including LaVerdi, Concerto Köln, Dresdner Festspielorchester... Read More →
Thursday July 30, 2026 16:00 - 16:45 EDT
Willow East
  Lecture, Lecture Recital, History & Practice

17:10 EDT

Syzygy: My Journey as a Percussive Harpist
Thursday July 30, 2026 17:10 - 18:00 EDT
Willow East
A story about Amy’s journey, exploring the harp's potential as a modern percussive instrument through pop covers and original compositions.
Presenters
avatar for Amy Turk

Amy Turk

Amy Turk is a multi-genre harpist, arranger, composer, educator and session artist from the UK. With special interests in percussion, video game music, film music and popular music of all styles, Amy has created a unique career path through her presence online, pioneering compositions... Read More →
Thursday July 30, 2026 17:10 - 18:00 EDT
Willow East
  Lecture, Lecture Recital
 
Friday, July 31
 

08:30 EDT

Move Well, Play Better: #3 The Arms and how we use them
Friday July 31, 2026 08:30 - 09:20 EDT
Willow East
Move Well, Play Better: A Course of 5 Practical Interactive Workshops Exporing Our First Instrument (The Body) In Relation To Our Second (The Harp) Presented by Imogen Barford and Fiona Tree, both highly experienced harpists and teachers of the Alexander Technique.

Session #3: The Arms and How We Use Them - We will explore the arm/hand structure in our own bodies and discover useful ways of thinking to gain ease and freedom.
Presenters
avatar for Imogen Barford

Imogen Barford

Imogen Barford runs the 'Move Well, Play Better' programme of Alexander Technique and Body Mapping at the Guildhall School of Music in London, where she is Head of Harp. As well as a wide-ranging harp career, she holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Performing Arts Medicine.
Friday July 31, 2026 08:30 - 09:20 EDT
Willow East
  Participatory Workshop, Health & Wellbeing

16:30 EDT

Research into the Validity of Therapeutic Harp Music and Opportunities in the Field
Friday July 31, 2026 16:30 - 17:15 EDT
Willow East
In this workshop we will cover the science and research why live therapeutic music is effective and explore training and job opportunities in the field.
Presenters
avatar for Barbara Lepke-Sims

Barbara Lepke-Sims

USAIHC
Barbara Lepke-Sims is a professional harpist in Denver, CO, after graduating in 1978 from The Juilliard School with her MM under Susann McDonald. Also interested in arts management, Barb earned her MBA in 1986. In 2017 Barbara was awarded the AHS Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2019... Read More →
Friday July 31, 2026 16:30 - 17:15 EDT
Willow East
  Lecture, Health & Wellbeing
 
Saturday, August 1
 

08:30 EDT

Move Well, Play Better: #4 Legs, Feet and the Secret Ingredient for undoing tension
Saturday August 1, 2026 08:30 - 09:20 EDT
Willow East
Move Well, Play Better: A Course of 5 Practical Interactive Workshops Exporing Our First Instrument (The Body) In Relation To Our Second (The Harp) Presented by Imogen Barford and Fiona Tree, both highly experienced harpists and teachers of the Alexander Technique.

Session #4: The Legs and Feet, plus the Secret Ingredient for Undoing Tension - We will explore the structure and use of the legs and feet, and learn how to undo the spiral of stress using the Pause Principle.
Presenters
avatar for Imogen Barford

Imogen Barford

Imogen Barford runs the 'Move Well, Play Better' programme of Alexander Technique and Body Mapping at the Guildhall School of Music in London, where she is Head of Harp. As well as a wide-ranging harp career, she holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Performing Arts Medicine.
Saturday August 1, 2026 08:30 - 09:20 EDT
Willow East
  Participatory Workshop, Health & Wellbeing
 
Sunday, August 2
 

08:30 EDT

Move Well, Play Better: #5 Virtuosity Workshop
Sunday August 2, 2026 08:30 - 09:20 EDT
Willow East
Move Well, Play Better: A Course of 5 Practical Interactive Workshops Exporing Our First Instrument (The Body) In Relation To Our Second (The Harp). Presented by Imogen Barford and Fiona Tree, both highly experienced harpists and teachers of the Alexander Technique.

Session #5 Virtuosity Workshop - Using harpist volunteers, we will look at releasing tension and imbalance while playing, to improve freedom, flow and sound quality.
Presenters
avatar for Imogen Barford

Imogen Barford

Imogen Barford runs the 'Move Well, Play Better' programme of Alexander Technique and Body Mapping at the Guildhall School of Music in London, where she is Head of Harp. As well as a wide-ranging harp career, she holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Performing Arts Medicine.
Sunday August 2, 2026 08:30 - 09:20 EDT
Willow East
  Participatory Workshop, Health & Wellbeing

09:30 EDT

Beyond the Strings: Managing Burnout, Anxiety, and Pressure as a Harpist
Sunday August 2, 2026 09:30 - 10:15 EDT
Willow East
Where brain science and cognitive psychology meet to explain performance pressure and burnout — plus realistic, research-backed practices for sustainable artistry.
Presenters
avatar for Kiernan O'Mara

Kiernan O'Mara

Kiernan O’Mara is a harpist, psychiatry researcher, certified medical assistant, and mental health advocate. She is the founder of Musician Mental Health, offering personalized, one-on-one performance psychology coaching for musicians. Drawing on her background in neuroscience and... Read More →
Sunday August 2, 2026 09:30 - 10:15 EDT
Willow East
  Lecture, Health & Wellbeing

11:00 EDT

Young Composers Project: Mini Movie Challenge and Improv Session
Sunday August 2, 2026 11:00 - 12:00 EDT
Willow East
The AHS Young Composers Project – Mini Movie Challenge invites everyone to explore new ways of combining sound and image for One Harp World. Create a 10-20 second mini movie and compose or improvise an original soundtrack to accompany it.  
Submissions will be showcased in a premiere-style presentation on Sunday, August 2nd at 11:00 a.m. EDT during the Young Composers Project Video Challenge & Improv Session. The challenge is open to all ages, levels, and styles, and participation is welcome whether or not you attend One Harp World in person. For inspiration, we invite you to explore the creative process from our first Mini Movie Challenge. Submit here by May 1st, 2026.

Presenters
avatar for Rosanna Chiu

Rosanna Chiu

American Harp Society
Rosanna Chiu is a performer and teacher based in Vancouver, Canada. She is harp faculty and ensemble director at the Vancouver Academy of Music and leads student harp ensembles at different ages and levels. She enjoys writing harp arrangements, and her ensembles often play works by... Read More →
avatar for Elisa Torres

Elisa Torres

Elisa Torres is principal harpist of the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra. She earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in harp performance from Indiana University under the tutelage of Susann McDonald. An active soloist and chamber musician, she also records across genres and for film. Her ind... Read More →
Sunday August 2, 2026 11:00 - 12:00 EDT
Willow East
  Multimedia

15:15 EDT

Teach to the Top: Pedagogical Insights of Elzbieta Szmyt
Sunday August 2, 2026 15:15 - 16:00 EDT
Willow East
Elzbieta will explore selected pieces and discuss challenges of choosing the right repertoire to enhance learning and help one become a better harpist and musician.
Presenters
avatar for Elzbieta (Ela) Szmyt

Elzbieta (Ela) Szmyt

Elzbieta Szmyt is Professor of Music and Chair of the Harp Department at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. A native of Poland, she has given master classes, judged competitions and performed recitals in Europe, Canada, Asia, and the United States. She has been a featured... Read More →
Sunday August 2, 2026 15:15 - 16:00 EDT
Willow East
  Lecture, Lecture Recital, Pedagogy
 
Monday, August 3
 

11:30 EDT

Teaching to Empower Music Students with Mental Health Challenges
Monday August 3, 2026 11:30 - 12:15 EDT
Willow East
This session presents four research-based pedagogical and relational approaches for music teachers to support students living with mental health challenges, with specific suggestions for application.
Presenters
avatar for Heather Cornelius

Heather Cornelius

Heather Cornelius’ research and performance projects focus on helping music teachers empower students experiencing mental health challenges. She obtained Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees from the University of Minnesota, studying with Kathy Kienzle. She earned... Read More →
Monday August 3, 2026 11:30 - 12:15 EDT
Willow East
  Lecture, Health & Wellbeing
 

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