Among the holiday crowd tonight were an Irish foursome from Cork. I always try to guess where people are from by their accents, and it is a game with me to see how quickly I can get it. After a few words, I started playing Fields of Athenry, an old Irish favorite, and they were delighted and began singing along. It was so beautiful. Then they requested Danny Boy. and we had another sing along. A tragedy it wasn't recorded for uploading here. That's what I want to happen when these special times occur.

I played mostly recorder tonight with the exception of some glissandos for demonstration purposes.I have an appointment on Sunday for physiotherapy on my hand and hopefully it won't be too much longer before I am back to playing harp

Harplady is taken

It is a good thing I didn't use Jut Harplady for the Facebook page. I have discovered that the term Harplady has been copyrighted this year.

Harplady MurielEileen

At a friend's suggestion, I have created a fan page on Facebook. It is called Harplady MurielEileen and I invite everyone who reads this to become a fan.

Good ending to a difficult week

Yesterday afternoon, Friday, I went shopping at the shuk as usual, with the exception that I took my recorder with me. I did my shopping and also played a few hours and made some much needed money. people are not very generous on the street when I don't play, even though I have that big, beautiful harp. So now I will make it a weekly thing and go a few times during the week as well. I will take my small harp when my left hand is a bit better.

The other good thing that happened is on the way down Agrippas, a young man selling the 4 species for Succot gave me an etrog and two of the other ones. I have never bought an etrog because of the cost and I am just loving the aroma of it. It made me feel real good at the end of a week that was a financial disaster. I REALLY FEEL THINGS WILL CHANGE SOON.

The next thing that is good, I have been working on learning to play the ukulele I bought a few years ago. I am using some videos on u tube and I finally am making some headway. I think soon I will be able to take it out and play for some money. It really doesn't seem to bother the bad finger. I will work on some songs I can sing with it.

Good things that come out of bad

I took my violin out last night to Ben Yehuda. The movement required to play violin is much different than for harp and the finger that is giving me the most trouble on the harp does not bother me on the violin. But still I must be careful not to overdo.


The past few weeks have been very difficult on the street (over a month now), but there have been many good things because of it. First, I finally managed to hook my disc up so it plays through my amp. I have been wanting to do that for ages. Now, because the disc is playing, I have been selling more of them.I also am playing my right hand on the harp along with the disc. A few of the tracks are especially good for this. I am not playing what I play on the disc, but doing some harmonies and counter melodies. When I am back to normal, I will continue to do that some. It gives a fuller sound on the street and hopefully that will mean more contributions. I also have begun playing my other instruments with the disc. When my hands are fully recovered, that will enable me to change off more and keep my hands and other muscles in good shape. The reason for the problem in the first place is that I play too much and don't rest enough. Many times I play for an hour or even two with hardly stopping, and as soon as I stop, someone comes along and asks me why I am not playing. So with the disc playing, it will be easier for me to get the rest I need.
I never thought of making a disc that I could play along with on the harp. I though the harp alone was enough. But after the last few nights, I see it is not only possible, but would be very good. I have some good ideas on what I will do. But first, I must get these hands working.

So all of these new things are as a result of the pain in my hands. I am sure there are a few I have forgotten, and maybe there will be a few more, and I will add them as they come.

Why I Play my Harp on the street

Here is the comment Uri wrote on my post Changes.

I hope the pain in yours hands washes away in the same manner that your music washes away a bit of pain from the lives of the people who pass you by on the streets.

Thank you Uri so much. Your comment helps me to explain to people why it is important for the harp to be played on the streets. The harp is a healing instrument and is beginning to be played in hospitals all over the world. Check out the link on this site to Nevel,the Jerusalem Harp Circle, The group I am a part of. We have had a harp donated to Sha’are Tzedek Hospital where two members, Jill Rogoff and Shoshana Levi play every week. I have played there once, but Ben Yehuda is where I feel my harp therapy belongs. So thank you again Uri for confirming why I play the harp on Ben Yehuda Street.

Up date on my hands

I am still not playing much. One finger in particular is bad, but the hands are a little better. I have had one treatment with Abraham, who is a natureopath and is very good. I have made an appointment with kupat holim but because of the holidays it is 2 1/2 weeks from now. I will try to have another treatment with Abraham. As my hands start to get better, I will start playing on my small harp some, It will be much easier on my hands.

Changes

This has been a difficult week on the street. I always expect the first week of September to be slow both in terms of people and money, because of the kids going back to school. There is a change, but there are still people out. Also tourist groups. As for me, I have been dealing withe pain in my hands from playing too much for the past two weeks. I always have some, but it has gotten worse. So bad that I must stop playing completely for a little while. I will take the harp down as usual but will not play. Hopefully there will be some of the people out that I have begun to let play. There were a few new ones this week, one of them was VERY good. A pianist and guitarist. Just sat down and started making music. A soldier. When there is no one else to play, I will tempt to find new people, and I will teach people. When there is no one to play on the harp, I may sing. Hopefully after a week I will feel I can safely play the recorder (halilit), but I believe it will be much longer before I can safely play on the harp again. I really do have some serious pain in my hands. So if you happen to see me not playing, you will know why.

Harp Concert

הזמנה לקונצרט

קסם הנבל

מנגנת סוניטה סטניסלו

יום שישי 11.9.09 בשעה 10:30

בבית התרבות ע"ש רייזל, רח' גאולה 12 כפר סבא





הנבל הינו מהעתיקים שבכלי המוסיקה, ובין הנגנים הראשונים הידועים ניתן לציין את דוד המלך.



סוניטה תנגן על כלים שונים: החל בנבל קלטי בו מנגנים בעיקר מוסיקה אירית ומוסיקה עממית וכלה בנבל קונצרטים שיש לו 47 מיתרים

בו מנגנים בעיקר מוסיקה קלאסית (Grand concert pedal harp).



סוניטה היא נבלנית ותיקה בעלת קרירה עשירה של מופעים והקליטה חמישה עשר תקליטורים בהרכבים שונים.

סוניטה הינה נגנית וירטואוזית והרפרטואר שלה מגוון ומרתק.



בקונצרט ישולבו מגוון רחב שלח סגנונות מוסיקליים, מהפולקלור האירי דרך מוסיקה קלאסית ועד מוסיקה יהודית ממקורות שונים.







לפרטים והזמנת כרטיסים: 054-2125159

ניתן לרכוש כרטיסים גם לפני המופע

Sunita and Simcha

Last Tuesday night was real special. Sunita had a concert near hear with 3 pedal harps. Wish I could have gone. Afterward she stopped by.

I met Simcha the Thursday before, although I knew of him. He has been studying with Sunita and he has the same harp as me. He was walking on Ben Yehuda when he heard a harp and he said he had to check it out.

Israel was also there.We ate falafel, Simcha, Israel, and Sunita played. I videoed Sunita. Now she has joined the club of harpists who have played my harp on Ben Yehuda. It was just a great evening. I had told Sunita about Israel and I was glad that Sunita got a chance to hear him.

Harp Concert

Subject: harp concert!

Chers amis,



J’ai le plaisir de vous annoncer que je me produirai à la harpe également cette année à Ir David durant tout le mois d’août du dimanche au mercredi (2 août jusqu’au 31 août) entre 19:30 et 22 :30 (excepté le 9 août).

Au programme : Concert de harpe solo : musique classique, israélienne, juive, musiques de films etc…

L’entrée est libre

Le concert est donné au « Gan Ameleh » qui se trouve à l’entrée d’Ir David à gauche.

Vous pouvez également combiner une journée excursion dans les magnifiques grottes d’Ir David (appelez au 026262341)

Venez nombreux écouter les sons magiques de la harpe et amenez vos amis

Merci de transmettre ce message



Rébecca et sa harpe magique

p.s : pour plus de renseignements appelez moi au 0545339280





חברים יקרים



אני שמחה להודיע לכם כי גם השנה אני אופיע בנבל בעיר דוד במשך כל חודש אוגוסט בימי ראשון עד רביעי (2 לאוגוסט עד 31 לאוגוסט) בין השעות 19:30 ל 22:30 (למעט 26 אוגוסט)

בתוכנית: קונצרט לנבל סולו: מוסיקה קלאסית, ישראלית, יהודית, מוסיקה של סרטים...

הכניסה חופשית.

הקונצרט יתקיים ב"גן המלך" הנמצא בכניסה של עיר דוד בצד שמאל.

מומלץ גם לשלב סיור במנהרות של עיר דוד (התקשרו ל026262341)

בואו בהמונכם לשמוע את צלילי הנבל הקסומים והביאו את חבריכם.

אשמח אם תעבירו הודעה זו.



רבקה ונבל הקסם.

נ.ב: ליותר פרטים התקשרו אליי ב 0545339280

PanPipes

When I went out to play last night, one of the S.American musicians with guitar and pan pipes was playing. His name was George. After I set up I tried to play with him on some of his songs Before he left I let him play on my harp. He looked like he really enjoyed it.

Back to one harp

For most of last week I had the two harps out on the street. It ended last night when the one harp went to a new student. But it may be possible that it will be there from time to time.The twins, a and t played quite a bit and it was a lot of fun. The two harps are quite impressive.

Saturday night there were two other harpists that played, Leah from Tel Aviv A lady from New Jersey who has a pedal harp.She did some arpeggios, which is the mot beautiful thing on the harp. Leah did some Irish pieces and promised to come back.

Last Thursday there was a group from Texas Who had a friend back in Texas who had played my harp two years ago. She was not here on this trip, but her sister was with a violin. First I let her experience the harp, and then she got her violin out and we played Pachebell. It was lovely. I had not taken the second harp out Thurs. or Friday. I was just tired. It would have been wonderful with the other harpists.To bad I don't know when they are coming.

Two Harps on Ben Yehuda Street

For a few days I have my second harp, the one pictured on the German Wikipedia. back from the student renting it. It will soon be going to another student, but in the mean time, there will be two harps on Ben Yehuda. My new 8 year old twin students payed on it. I played Pachabelle and Heart and Soul and it sounded great. Plus I did improvisation. I hope to get a video of it tonight. Both of the girls have a good stage presence.Later a young man from Uganda,who had been playing an African folk harp, played. It was very nice.

The past two weeks have been very eventful and especially the last two days. I will start with the last 2 days. Already last weeks events are blurring in my mind but I have some things written down. If I don't write things down immediately they get lost.

What happened 2 nights ago has nothing to do with music but will affect my spot on the street. A man I know came by with a coke carton containing two kittens. He said someone left them at his door and he didn't know what to do with them. For those who do not know I am a big cat lover, I have 5 cats. Well I agreed to try to find them a home and he left them with me. They have now spent 2 nights in my bathroom. I won't let them mix with my other babies until I know they are safe.

A Birthright Evening, with two Harpists

Last night there were a lot of young people here with Birthright. First I met Abigail. She is a harpist from the NY area but she has been studying in California. She gave me a beautiful piece of shell from there. Her harp is from the same place as mine, Musicmakers. There is a link on my blog to there. She has the Gothic harp, which has 36 strings. My harp is the Regency, 34 strings. Of course I le her play and she plays very beautifully. She plays professionally and has a web sight. www.abigailhorn.com She also has a disc but does not yet have the info on her site. After she played I let some others in her group try. They had not played harp before. Later Abigail came back with Mike. He has a 26 string Celtic harp.Abigaile played again and then Mike played. He also played quite well. Then Abigail played. I showed her the chords to Heart and Soul, and I got out my recorder and we had some fun playing together.
I just checked out Mike's site and it is interesting. It is mikeymooky.com

Ben Gordon was with a different group of Birthright. He has a Chinese zither and also
plays the digeredoo and said he does digeredoo therapy. People meditate while he plays. The low frequencies are very good. He is going to send me some info on what he does and I will post it.

A Better World

Land of Dreams

A very lovely 5 year old Roxanne from Paris said a very nice thing last night. She said of my music " It seems like the land of dreams." Thank you Roxanne. That is one of the things I hope my music does, prepare the people after a hectic day to go to the land of dreams and have beautiful dreams.

My Dream for a Harp House

I have wanted to write about my dream of a harp house for some time. Chavi's letter is a perfect introduction to it. The way she felt when she played on my harp, I want every one to be able to experience that.I have written about many of the people that I have let play, but not all of them. But I cannot let every one on the street play. First , it would create chaos, and that would not be good for my harp. Secondly, that would limit my playing time. The harp needs to be played there, I mean music being made, beautiful sounds, healing sounds. No one who sits down at the harp makes it sound bad. Because the harp is magical, But many people are timid, and just don't know how to bring out the sounds, so while there are no bad sounds, there is not an abundance of big beautiful sounds either. And by being in public like that, they may be to inhibited to experience the harp to the fullest extent possible. So, at the harp house they can relax with the harp and let it speak to them. The harp is a great teacher. I know from experience.

That is just one part of what the harp house will be. I will speak more in a new post.

Stories from the Street - a note

Last night was a night for stories. A woman put down a note with a shekel on top of it and this is what it said.


You make the people dream.

Thanks!

And I thank you for the note.

Story from the street - Chavi

Here is the story in Chavi's own words.

"When Muriel let me play the harp, at first I was excited and then I got kinda scared, cuz how do I actually play this big harp I had never touched in my life, but when I actually touched the strings, I felt that I can really express what I feel inside. Even I don't know how to play a song with the harp, I was able to play the song that my heart was playing. I played just the emotions I felt inside. This thing is a very good way to express our emotions!

Chavi

A Story from the street - Oranit

I met Oranit last night. She had gone to Malcha Mall to celebrate a friend's book being published. It was to be a real event, and she was especially excited because there was going to be a harpist playing at the event. Well, she got there only to find out that the event was next week. For some reason, she passed through Ben Yehuda on her way home.She had sooo wanted to see a harp because since childhood she had dreamed of playing a harp. She asked her parents for one and they bought her a piano instead. I told her it was probably because harps were not so available in Israel then. They still aren't today but we're working on it. She was very excited to see a harp on Ben Yehuda St., and of course I did let her play a bit and encouraged her to think about getting a harp now.

Healing Stories

There have been many healing stories connected to the harp being played on Ben Yehuda Street. I know of some and have written some of them in this blog. I hope to collect more. I am trying to show why it is important for the harp to be played there. I believe the night time is most important because in the daytime everyone is dp busy but at night everything slows down and it is more suitable to healing. It is quieter and people who are alone or hurting feel it more.

Beautiful wind music

Last night was beautiful with the wind but towards the end my fingers were a bit frozen because of it. Very seldom is the wind loud enough to play my harp really loud, but last night it did a superb job. And about 4 times people really heard it. So many times when the wind comes to play, people are passing and I try to bring it to their attention and they just don't git it. So last night I was delighted when people were standing there and the wind did its thing. I mean it was about the best it can be. And they were Awed.I long to record it and put it on a disc. Well, my new friend Elon, whom I will speak about in a moment, told me about the recorder I need that will be good for what I want. When I have a good bit of the wind playing the harp, I want to record my improvisation with it. I think it would make great healing music.

It was such a full night last night I can't remember it all at the moment but it could come back later. I had 2 guest musicians to play my harp. The first was David, a professional violinist from the area, and Elan.

Elan is a guitarist, and he is getting out of the army today. -----I will come back to finish this later

Itamar

Last night was nice and warm, nice change from last week. I met a new friend, Itamar. He was listening to me on harp, then I played something on recorder. It turns out that He is a recent graduate o the Rubin Academy, his instrument being recorder. Naturally I had to ask him to play something with me. We played Pachebel and he was truly very good.Then these young girls came along with their guitar for me to tune, a service I have done a few times for them. Itamar offered to tune it and afterwards he payed some. He is also good on guitar. Then he played one of his own compositions and song. It was from Song of Songs, or Shir HaShirim. It was VERY good. When he was finished he said that they were connected to peace because their author, King Soloman"s name was derived from the word for peace, shalome. He also said that the harp is connected to peace.

Magic in the street

A very nice thing was said to me the other night. She said I bring magic to the street. Thank you very much. It is always good to hear how my music affects the street. But I can't take all the credit. The harp is magic by itself.

Ladies from S Africa

A few weeks ago there were some ladies from South Africa. One of them mentioned that she had asked her mother for a harp when she was a child but was told it was too expensive. Well, it was a quiet night and my arm was tired so I invited her to sit down. She did and was delighted to play on my harp.

Thank you Hila

Thank you Hila for the short letter. It was so beautiful. I wasn't able to read it but a friend did and translated it. I will put it up here as soon as possible with translation.

I just found a beautiful spot

I just found a beautiful spot by a fountain. It is fairly quiet except for the sound of the water. There was both sun and shade. I was practicing my singing. I am trying to learn some John Denver songs as well as some others and it is a wonderful spot to sing to the accompaniment of the water. Hardly any people. I think it would be a lovely place to do a video with my harp. When I do I will put it on youtube. Will let you know.

John Denver

I have recently just really fallen in love with John Denver. I started searching on youtube for songs of his I was unfamiliar with and I found many. I have made a playlist of over 160 videos, but I am not finished. It includes many live concerts and interviews and I have really gotten to know who he was. He was an ecologist and was very concerned with hungry people. He was very in tune with nature and it is reflected in his music. I am working on learning some of hes music to play on the street. Please check out the playlist on my youtube channel. Just scroll down to my recommended links and click on my youtube channel. Enjoy!!

Israel

Israel is a friend of mine. I met him on the street when I play I'm not sure how long ago. He has been stopping by for over a year at least, usually on Thursday or Saturday night. He was in the army and his time was not his own. He is a very good musician, plays guitar harmonica recorder, and I'm not sure what else, and writes music and sings. Like many people I meet he has fallen in love with.the harp, and I often let him play a little when he comes by. He comes a little more often now since he has finished with the army. Last Thursday he played and he is really getting good. He added his harmonica for the first time and I was impressed. He is young and music is in his soul, and I believe he will to far.

Flute and guitar made a nice evening

Last night I was joined by two young ladies with a flute and a guitar. They are from Tel Aviv and I think they told me they came to Jerusalem just to hear me. We played together and it was nice. Heart and Soul and Paccabell are always good for jamming, and we also did All kol elle and Jerusalem of Gold. we tried a little John Denver. She really likes him and I have just gotten in to his music. That is another post. I believe they will be back to play more.They both said they had spoken to me bout playing the harp. The flutist said she really feels called to the harp and said something really nice about the way my harp playing makes her feel when she passes. She said that because of me she is saving money to buy a harp. Thank you Miss Flutist, that makes me feel really good.It was a quiet night so of course I let them both play on the harp. The guitarist also plays piano and she really did quite nicely on the harp.

This time it is Moscow

Often people walking by speaking on their cell phone will hold it up to my harp so the person on the other end can hear me. Usually I don't know where they are. Thursday night this nice young man asked me to play something romantic for his girlfriend. I played the theme from Titanic, He said he loved it and so did she and he gave me a very nice donation. I asked where she was and he said Moscow. So mow I have played to Moscow. Many times I never know where the other end of the line is.

Final ending

She still comes around, the girl who thinks women shouldn't play on the street. She comes by almost every night, sometimes she has been there twice. My solution is to stand up and start singing. She leaves immediately so I will stop singing because a woman singing is worse than a woman playing the harp. Every time when she comes up to me she is pointing her finger and acting like she is scolding me. As long as she is only there a minute, I guess I can handle that. I guess there are some stories that never end.

Very cold night

Last night was super cold. More because of the wind. The up side of that is the wind played the harp some, an it was stronger than usual, but there were just moments, not the whole night. Most of the time when the wind is playing the people are not close enough and don't notice or don't understand.

Second Ending

Some stories never seem to end. The girl that has been trying to stop me from playing came by twice this week pleading with me to stop playing, but she didn't do more than that and left after a few minutes. Last night she came again. She was more persistent but still didn't do anything physically My friend went with her to her rabbi, who is quite close. The rabbi told my friend there was nothing more he could, he told her to stop bothering me and she wasn't doing what her rabbi said. HE said we should call the police. Well, till that point she wasn't doing anything physical so there was nothing the police could do, but then when I made it clear to her I was not going to stop playing, she went back to doing what she did before, taking my money etc. Another friend standing by called the police but they never came. They did say, I remember, the last time they were there that I had to go down to the police station. So in the meantime, others were trying to help, talking to her. Nothing seemed to help. Then, this one young lady came along, spoke to her a while. and it seems she sot through to her. She said that if the rabbi said it was OK then it was OK. She left. We shall see if that is really the end of the story.

She came back - End of the story

I still don't know her name, but she as back again last night. I invited her to play my harp, which of course she refused. She touched it like she wanted to do something to it, but couldn't. Then when someone was holding my money basket to guard it, she would put her hands on the strings so they would not play. Three nice guys were there helping me and trying to talk to her and then a few of their friends came along. They told me to play and they created a human wall to keep her from me. Others came along and there was at least 10 or 12 people. This went on for a while. In the end, she went and got her rabbi. He came and spoke with the young men who were being my bodyguards for some time and to the young lady. He never spoke to me. He told her she was not to touch my things.

Greetings from Naomi via her sister

I was very tired yesterday and almost didn't go out last night but I'm glad I did. Naomi Sharon's sister is here and brought me greetings from Naomi. Nomi is in N.Y. studying on her masters. Well, she took her harp out in NYC ( I forget exactly where she said) and played. She said she wouldn't have done that if it hadn't been for my influence. I'm happy to have played a part.

She came back

The girl I wrote about on Jan. 9 came back night before last. She is so determined that I not play. I tried talking with her. I told her she was nice and I liked her except that she was giving me problems. She said she liked me too. But God was telling her I shouldn't play. So in the end, I had to call the police again. She actually encouraged me. They came and spoke to her and took her with them and said they were going to talk to her more. She did not come back later. She wasn't there last night. We shall see.

Birthright

I think I see almost all the ones that come on birthright , or at least they see me, because they all come to Ben Yehuda, I think. Now, I can't just every person on the street play my harp when I am out there. First of all, I am playing. but wouldn't it be neat if all the young people coming to Israel for the first time on birthright had the experience of playing on a harp, a traditional instrument of Israel? It could be in a historical setting near the old city. I could play a short set, and the ones who wanted could have a chance of 5 or 10 minutes on the harp. I could give guidance to those who wanted or needed it. But as I have written before, many people can do quite well on their own, especially if they are already musicians. I have one place in mind, just outside the city wall, or in the City of David is a possibility. I played a gig there once and there is a lovely park. When they are not playing on the harp they can be exploring the city. Baruch, if you read this, what do you think?

Birthright from Australia

Birthright from Australia was out Wed. night. Baruch was leading a group of about 30 young people. t was fairly quiet on the street so I let Baruch sit down at the harp. He was very hesitant because, as he said , he was the opposite of musical. Well, like everyone who thins they can't do anything on a harp, Baruch was pleasantly surprised. Then I let a few of the youths with him have a go at it. Neither of them had musical training

ANOTHER WEEK

You haven't seen me on the street this week much because I have been staying out of the cold to fight a cold. I did play a few hours on Wednesday night without catching a chill. I'm trying to avoid what happened last year when I didn't play for 2 months because of bronchitis. I'm not near a bad as I was last Feb. I hope to be playing more this week.

Last night I wasn't on Ben Yehuda because I was playing at a wedding. Hadas's mother told me she dreamed about having a harp at her wedding since she was a little girl.

End of a Difficult Week

This has been an especially difficult week on Ben Yehuda.The rain and the cold kept me off the street most of the week before. This weeks troubles started last Saturday night. After Mara, the harpist from Delaware left, I sat back down at the harp and began to play again. This young girl who had spoken to Mara came to me and was telling me I shouldn't play. It was not proper. She didn't really speak, she sort of whispered and I could barely understand her but she kept pointing up like pointing to God. She was really pleading with me to stop, in a very quiet way. When I didn't stop, she started tapping me on the arm, trying to get me to stop. I don't remember it so well. I had no idea of what the week would be. She finally left after some words.That was actually not the first time. A few weeks before she told me that I should not play but did not make such a big thing out of it. Well, the next night she ws back but instead of tapping me on the shoulder she started taking my basket that I collect money in. She did not want the money, but when she picked it up, I would stop playing. This went on for quite some time. Finaly a nice couple called the police for me. She just was not going to leave. While waiting for the police Edward came along. Edward is a Russian violinist and told me the girl is from Moscow. He tried talking with her but it didn't help. Then the police came and spoke to her. In the end Edward led her away and she didn't come back that night, but the next night she did. The police were called and they led her away but 20 minutes later she was back. The police were called again but didn't come before it was time to quit. Another friend trying to help suggested she pay me not to play and she accepted. She said she would give me a certain amount every night not to play. It would have been worth it what she offered but I couldn't do that. I believe I am supposed to play there. The next night it was more obvious how ill she was. Many many people tried talking to her and in front of 5 police officers, when I started to play, she could not stop from picking up my basket, even after the police told her she can't do that. I was watching her face and it was like she was driven. So they took her with them and I hope she will get the help she needs. She had a sweetness about her.

Guest harpist from Delaware

Last night a group of young girls with Birthright stopped by to hear me and one said she had studied harp in middle school for 3 and a half years and had a Lyon and Healey folk harp. Of course I invited her to play and she did quite nicely. She hadn't studied for a while but hoped to get back in to it. I hope last night will have encouraged her.

I didn't get her name because another lady came up to her and was talking to her and before I knew it the harpist had left. I didn't realize who this other lady was at first but she had been there the week before. She was trying to get me to stop playing, saying it was indecent of me as a woman to be out playing on the street like that.
I just got her email , The lady from Delaware is Mara Finestrauss.