Attempts at a Sustainable Schedule
I was busy sewing away on my Halloween costume a few weeks ago. Costuming is one of my favorite hobbies. But some tasks, like gathering 9 feet of fabric into …
Stephanie Claussen: 2018 US National Scottish Harp Champion
This weekend I traveled to Edinboro, Pennsylvania to compete in the Edinboro Scottish Harp Competition and US National Scottish Harp Championship. My dear friend Emily put me up in her …
Motivated by the Beat: Spin Class and Harp Practice
I’ve been trying out spin classes this past year.
Spinning. You know – as in indoor cycling?
One of my harp students in responsible. She invited me, attended along with …
Edinburgh International Harp Festival 2018
I experienced one specific conversation at least five times during the festival:
Sitting down at the dinner table: “Hi, my name is Stephanie.”
“Hello! I’m Anna.” (Or Caroline, or Helen.)
A moment of …
The Northern Harpist’s Winter Survival Guide
Perhaps the worst part of my job is the winter-time conflict between staying warm and looking professional, flawlessly groomed, elegant… harpist-like.
The harpist’s gig prep is not a simple waltz …
A Performance Observed: Fear and Elation
March 25th, 2017
Yesterday I joined a visiting wind ensemble for a concert of Navarro’s “Clarinet Concerto N. 1” and David Maslanka’ “A Child’s Garden of Dreams.” I had played the …
4 Things That Strike Terror Into the Heart of Every Harpist
(Being by no means a complete list of existing harpist problems)
1. The malfunctioning handicap entrance button
It lures one into a false sense of security, promising not only to open the …
Moss, Wood, and Thicket: a description
All throughout high school, as I was waiting for the morning school bus, I would look east as the sun rose above the trees and sharp hills of the local …