With over 30 years experience as a teacher, I love discovering the individual qualities and needs of each student. Myself a student of the Renié-Grandjany tradition, I emphasize a relaxed technique to achieve a beautiful rich sound. I work individually with each student to best discover the optimal position for relaxation and tone. Over the years I have learned how a body in motion cannot carry tension. We learn where our motions are stuck, and how to release the natural fluidity of our playing.
Body Mapping helps with understanding how we perceive our movements. Our minds are intertwined with how we think of ourselves, and this can help in our relationship with the harp. I constantly refer to Body Mapping techniques to explain why we keep our thumbs up, elbows out, neutral wrists, etc…
I love to use visual crutches and images to explain techniques; Harp Falling off the Cliff, Baby on the Harp, Grasshoppers, Fashion Model in July, Fighter Jet Landing. With young students we have a story time where I narrate a short action story, and the student makes up the sound-track on the spot. This helps with improvisation skills and also integrates the techniques we’ve been working on.
Ever since I started playing the harp I’ve had a keen interest in all sorts of music. Whether you have a folk harp or a pedal harp, I love to find music to match a student’s interest and abilities. We work with classical, orchestral, lead sheet notation for Celtic or jazz tunes, folk music, ensemble, hymns, Early music, you name it. Often I have written etudes for individuals to work on some aspect of music. Some students love to work from technique books. I also like to tailor etudes derived from repertoire.
Ensemble playing can be so much fun. What better way to share the joy of music? I arrange Celtic, Folk, Classical and Jazz tunes to be accessible to beginning students. I organize annual harp camps and retreats for all levels.
Testimonials
Patient, funny, and kind are words that come to mind when I think of Laura. She helped me—a complete beginner—learn how to play a variety of different styles and genres, even jazz! Learning under her also gave me the opportunity to play at a bunch of great events, like Corvallis Youth Symphony concerts, Nativity festivals, and even the American Harp Society’s summer institute in Minnesota. Laura really helped me grow as a musician and performer!
Isabelle Gatien
Laura is a seasoned performer and a kind, sensitive teacher. Whether you’re new to the harp or a veteran, whether you’re on your best day or your worst, she always finds a way to put you back on track; to bring out the best of what’s in the music and in her student. She’s clever and savvy with her harp technique, and knowledgeable about the history of the instrument—therefore, you can ask her anything and she’ll have a satisfactory answer. I cannot recommend Laura highly enough—she nurtures all of her students, and in my case, she guided me through my first steps on harp and through a successful college and professional career!
Rachel Petty