Cynthia 
Cathcart

Classes

Cynthia Cathcart offers private lessons on the wire strung harp in her studio, both in person and via video link. She is also available for private lessons at conferences and festivals where she offers workshops and presentations on the wire-strung harp, or clàrsach.

 

Some of the workshop topics Cynthia presents include
For wire-string harpers:
- Adapting Nylon Harp Arrangements to the Wire Strung Harp
- Ringing and Damping at the Harp
- Traditional Beginnings
- Ornaments and Figures for Nail Players
- Dancing on Wire Strings: Let's Arrange Some Music
- The Care and Feeding of a Wire Strung Harp
For all harpers:
- Goal Setting at the Harp
- No Levers? No Problem! Accidentals on a Lever-Free Harp
- Wire Harp tricks for the Nylon Harper
- The Mystery of the Modes
- Where is Scottish Music?
- Which Shoulder is the Right Correct One?
- Teaching Wire Harp Even if You Are Not a Wire Harper

Performances

Cynthia is available for both private functions and concerts, particularly in the Washington, DC area. When on tour, she can be found performing well outside the area she calls home. In addition to concert performances, she offers the following lectures and presentations for a general audience:


- How to Repair a Broken Tradition
- Brief History of the Clarsach in Scotland
- The Wire Sound
- The Ceol Mor of the Clarsach

Read some feedback on Cynthia's workshops and presentations - from children and from grown-ups.

Cynthia playing an 
Ardival Rose harp



  • July 26 — 29, 2012 Somerset Folk Harp Festival in Parsippany, New Jersey Workshops, Renaissance Ball, and personalized lessons.

  • June 13 — 17, 2012
  • Féis Seattle sponsored by Slighe nan Gaidheal, classes and concert performance.

  • Please click this link to access the main Handouts page, a courtesy for those who took the classes at the above workshops (or for those who are curious to see what would have been learned if you joined us!)