"Music washes away from the soul the dust 
of everyday life."   B. Auerbach

Design by Joyce Hoffman

Harp Therapy

 It is rewarding to bring comfort and  peace to those who play the harps and listen to the performances.

In 1998, I began the Harp Therapy Workshop through Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Cancer Center as a part of the hospital’s Support Groups Program for patients, survivors, and caregivers.

An advanced class and a beginner class meet weekly for camaraderie and music. The students each have a small rental harp to bring back and forth from home to class. As students progress, they move into the larger advanced group, leaving room for new students to begin.

And WOW! This has been a very successful program with around one hundred members participating over these years. 

The harp’s soothing resonance along with confidential group sharing and friendship create a healing environment for all involved.

The Cancer Center harp group often performs for senior centers and convalescent hospitals with up to 20 harps at a time. Also, several members of the class now volunteer individually at the hospital playing their harps in the Cancer Center waiting room, surgical recovery, birthing center and other locations. 

We released a fundraiser CD (see right) in 2009 in efforts to give back to the hospital foundation. Guest soloists alternate with the whole group selections.  CD's are available by contacting Lisa HERE.  All proceeds support the Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation.