Tag: Renaissance dance tunes

Two Harps Dancing

Celtic harpists Hilary Smith and Laura Zaerr team up for a magical evening of Celtic, Renaissance, rock and more.  Special guests Ben and Kai Frueh, fiddle and keyboard.

Laura with folk harp

 

Hilary Smith has been a professional harpist and teacher for over 25 years, bringing warmth and experience to all her musical endeavors.   A Central Oregon native, her education and travels have enlivened her repertoire with music of many different times and places. She comes to us this weekend from Sisters where she lives and teaches.  https://centraloregonharpist.com/

Over the past 30 years Laura Zaerr has delved into various styles of music: Renaissance band, Baroque Italian Triple harp, Single action pedal harp, Medieval single row harp, and most recently Brazilian jazz.  She has recorded several CDs featuring her own compositions and arrangements.  She enriches the lives of others with her work for Hospice and at the hospital.

Laura and Hilary met as students at the University of Oregon.  Since the early 80’s they have shared a love of Celtic music while also exploring an eclectic range of other repertoire.  In the 90s, the two classically trained musicians honed their Celtic arranging skills as partners in the Corvallis-based band Village Green, This was interrupted in the mid-90’s when Hilary moved to Hawaii, where she enjoyed a whole new way of life.  We are thankful she has returned to her roots in Central Oregon.  Laura and Hilary also co-organize a harp retreat in Central Oregon in the summer.The two harps weave a rich tapestry of bygone ages and far away places, mingled with the freshness of popular tunes and classical finesse. Laura and Hilary both play harps built by local renown builder Dave Thormahlen.  http://thorharp.com/

Ben and Kai Frueh will be joining the duo.  Check out Ben’s amazing violin at https://youtu.be/WGchYo4MyXg

 

Please make a reservation by e-mail, lauraz@peak.org, or call 541-908-2077.

 

Cascades Retreat

Once again Suttle Lake will be host to the Cascades Harp Retreat.  We welcome back Rim Robertson, and welcome anew Phil Neuman and Gayle Neuman.

PHIL AND GAYLE NEUMAN are well known throughout the world for their extensive knowledge of Early Music; Ancient Greek, Sumerian, Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Victorian era, you name it. Not only do they study and perform but also build their own early music instruments.  Phil and Gayle Neuman have been featured in Turkey, Japan, and even in movies. (That’s right, Ben Hur and Buddymoon.) They are members of The Trail Band and direct the Oregon Renaissance Band and Ensemble De Organographia. The Neumans have taught music history at Portland State
University and Linfield College, and present concerts and workshops throughout the country. With their vast store of expertise Phil and Gayle will add an element of historic context to the Cascade Harp Retreat. They will also lead harp ensembles incorporating their own brand of Renaissance style. We are looking forward to this “historic” collaboration; Folk Harp Meets Early Music.


KIM ROBERTSON is a well-known performer, arranger and pioneer of the N. American folk harp movement.  Classically trained on piano and orchestral harp, her discovery of the Celtic harp in the mid-70’s set her upon the path of exploration for which she is now widely known. She brings a contemporary touch to a centuries-old instrument with her expressive renditions of traditional music and original compositions. Recognized as a skilled performer and insightful teacher, her numerous recordings, arrangements and live appearances have brought her a loyal following. She regularly tours the USA  and Canada with an international itinerary of concerts, workshops and retreats.