New Zealand Harp Society |
Patron
Natalia Mann (Australia)
Music for me is a mode of discovery, a language which connects us with the intelligence of our universe. I enjoy using my inner hearing and senses to find music in the world around us - the myriad vibrations hovering behind our perceived reality. I like to do musical research projects, and I will most often present my findings in a kind of arty situation which is my favourite kind of performance.
I’ve been playing harp for nigh on forty years, and had the good fortune to play music around the world - many cultures and styles from symphonies to jazz, folk pop trad, the lot. Recently I studied the resonance of plants, and there I've found the music that I most love to play. My harp students often ask me to write out some tree or flower music for them. I also love to show people how to hear it for themselves. I teach harp and resonance music in workshops, schools, privately and online.
My harps include a Lyon and Healy Style 23 named Thizbee, a well-loved old style Andrew Thom named Red, a couple of colourful home-made cardboard harps which get high rotation between children and forests, and a guzheng.
I'm a proud Oceanic woman - Samoan Australian Kiwi. Born in Wellington, I've lived in Melbourne, Istanbul and now Cairns. I enjoy weaving, painting, gardening, reading, being in nature and spending time with my family.
Committee
President: Wendy Mansfield (Auckland)
Secretary: Claire Callister (Auckland)
Treasurer: Bronwyn McConchie (Auckland)
My harp journey started as a young child. I was fascinated with the harp. As a 7 or 8 year old, attending NZSO concerts, I would always look for "Principal Harpist - Rebecca Harris" on the programme. Decades later I attended my first harp lessons.
Although I had studied other instruments, progress on the harp was slow and more challenging than I had anticipated. Over subsequent years I have been grateful for the encouragement of teachers, other adult learners, as well as younger harp students. I've tackled the challenge of sitting harp exams and taking part in performances and workshops. I've also had the privilege of attending harp events in New Zealand and overseas, and online (especially since 2020).
My fascination with the harp continues as I enjoy expanding my repertoire, creating music with other harpists, socialising with harpists, listening to harp performances, and seeking opportunities to learn more about this wonderfully unique instrument.
Harrison Chau (Auckland)
Michael Chappell (Auckland)
I currently play on an Aoyama Princess Sakura, aside from its elegant design I adore the instrument for its sweet tone.
I began harp lessons at the age of 16, having previously studied the cello and piano. I completed an Honours Degree in Harp Performance at the University of Auckland with Yi Jin in 2023. I'm so delighted and incredibly honoured to be a part of the committee and look forward to meeting more of the harpists in our community. My harp journey has been all the more enjoyable because of the wonderful people I've been able to meet through harp playing.
I started playing the harp about five years ago when I was living in the Netherlands, where there is a harp on just about every corner. The local council subsidised lessons for adults, so I made the most of it. I was soon hooked, and bought a second-hand pedal harp having first hired a lever harp from the council to make sure I liked it. When I told my adult sons that the harp was going to be a big part of my retirement plans, they completely misunderstood, and thought I was a bit ambitious to think I could make money with my musical ability!!
Now I am retired, back in New Zealand with my harp, and it is a big part of my retirement plan - for enjoyment not performance, and certainly not income! As I'm finding out, my piano background is both a blessing and a curse. I really value Ingrid Bauer's tuition, and being part of a harp community. As I found overseas when language difficulties made it hard to join local groups, communities of similar interests and dreams shouldn't be taken for granted. That's why I'm happy to serve on this committee where the others have far more competence and experience than I bring. But in HSNZ there is a place for all of us as I am finding out.
Tiffany Baker (Wellington)
Tiffany is a New Zealand-born harpist in Wellington. Harp has nearly always been part of her life. She is passionate about extending and promoting the versality of what her lever harps and rare Triple harp can achieve. She plays advanced repertoire not originally intended for these instruments, and adapts orchestral harp parts to suit the two types of harp.
So far, Tiffany has attended nine harp festivals and competitions in the USA, Australia, and New Zealand. In these countries she has won awards and played in front of 2500 people.
Tiffany loves sharing her different harps through performances and teaching in her own 'Harpeggio Studio'. She enjoys introducing the harp to people of all backgrounds, connecting with audiences from two months to 80+ years.
You can find out more about Tiffany and her triple harp from her website - www.tiffanybaker.nz.