Classical and Romantic music written for the harp by composers such as Debussy and Handel have always attracted Stephanie because of the challenge they present and the hours of intense practice they necessitate. Yet in her heart, she has always preferred the ancient harmonies and rich history of the Celtic harp to its more modern counterpart.
Capturing the Mood of Celtic Harp
She began studying Celtic music under the instruction of her harp teacher Catherine Victorson who taught her not just to play the notes on the page, but to understand and communicate the heart of each tune, whether it be a jig, a lullaby or a lament. Stephanie learned traditional ornamentation and accompaniment in workshops with such harp experts as Isobel Mieras and Kim Robertson. She also received hands-on experience in the daily music jam at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival where she has performed for over ten seasons as a wandering minstrel.
Dance tunes and airs from Scotland and Ireland remain at the core of her repertoire.
