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Elizabeth Volpe Bligh Harp

Harp Instruction
Teaching
  • Vancouver Academy of Music, 1987-2002
  • Sessional Harp Instructor, UBC since 1985
  • Douglas College, 2002-2003, Vancouver Community College, 1987-88
  • workshops and master classes for BC Harp Society and other teachers (topics: orchestral technique, injury prevention, preparing to perform)
  • Harp lesson via video to McGill University from UBC Telestudios, Nov. 2006
  • Video master class for harp students of Gianetta Baril’s at Mt. Royal College Conservatory in Calgary from UBC Telestudios, January 2007
  • Tour to New Zealand, March 2007: Auckland: master class, U. of Auckland for students of Rebecca Harris, workshop for Anna Dunwoodie and Lisa Williamson, teachers’ forum, four private lessons in Wellington for students of Carolyn Mills
  • Guest clinician and instructor at Pacific Harp Institute in Seattle 2007, 2008
  • instructor at Island Mountain Arts Festival Celtic Harp School 2004, 2007, advanced class
  • Orchestra Techniques article published in Teachers' Forum of American Harp Society Journal, Summer 2002, second edition on Harp Spectrum web site, and in Nederlands Harp Bulletin, Zomer 2008 Jaargang 21 #2
  • Quoted in Harp Column magazine, Summer 2006
  • Harp Column magazine, Nov./Dec. 2007 -  How to Treat a Blister
  • Articles on technique published in New Zealand Harp Association Newsletter April 2007
  • Judge for Kiwanis Festival in Delta: May, 2007, in Calgary: Feb., 2008
  • Guest students from Singapore, Hong Kong, France, Germany, Ireland, USA
    • Master Classes
  • organized and hosted master classes and concerts, given by Judy Loman, Nancy Allen, Sunita Staneslow, Alys Howe, Alison Austin, Sebastien and Sayo Lipman, Susann Macdonald, Erica Goodman, Verlene Schermer and Aryeh Frankfurter and Gianetta Baril.
    • Private Instruction
    Elizabeth has a home studio for private instruction. Please call 604 929 5958 for more information or to book an appointment. 
    Students
  • Award-winning students include: Alys Howe (National Youth Orchestra, numerous awards, see web site), Hebe Kelly (Edith Lando Scholarship for Gifted Youth), Tara Burnell (Concerto Competition Intermediate VYSO), Albertina Chan (VYSO harpist, National Youth Orchestra, Senior VYSO Concerto Competition, Third Prize in American Harp Society Competition), Nadia Kim (VYSO harpist, Senior VYSO Concerto Competition, harpist for Vancouver Intercultural Orchestra), Andrew Chan (VYSO harpist, soloist in Debussy Danses with Academy Strings), Lani Krantz (National Youth Orchestra), Blanche Olivar (VYSO harpist), Esther Cannon (Silver Medal, Royal Conservatory of Music, 2006, Senior VYSO Concerto Competition, 2007)
  • Elizabeth helps harpists all over the world solve problems in orchestra parts via www.harpcolumn.com.
    • MY PHILOSOPHY OF TEACHING
    I encourage:
  • divergent thinking
  • problem-solving
  • rock-solid rhythm
  • understanding of harmony
  • intelligent and creative fingerings
  • correct style and phrasing
  • relaxed, injury-free playing
  • stress management, anxiety reduction
  • preparation for auditions and performances

  • Some references that I use:
    • Barry Green's "Inner Game of Music"
    • Dr. R. Norris's "Musicians' Survival Manual"
    • J. Lieberman's "You Are Your Instrument"
    • Eloise Ristad's "A Soprano on her Head"
    • Neumann's "Baroque Ornamentation"
    • Phil Perkins' "A Logical Approach to Rhythmic Notation"
    • Philip Johnston’s “The Practice Revolution”
    • Kaplan’s “Practicing for Artistic Success”
    • Dr. Carrol McLaughlin's "Dr. Carrol's Power Performance"
    • Beatrice Schroeder Rose’s “The Harp In The Orchestra”
    • Bonnie Blanchard's "Making Music and Enriching Lives
    • Elizabeth Volpe-Bligh
    NEWS & UPCOMING PERFORMANCES

    Elizabeth will be adjudicating at the Kiwanis Festival in Calgary, Alberta, from February 25-26, and doing some teaching as well.
    In June, she will be a panelist for a discussion on Body Mechanics and Relaxation at the Harp at the American Harp Society Conference in Dearborn, MI.
    July 28-August 2, Elizabeth is teaching at the Pacific Harp Institute in Seattle, WA.
    Her student, Esther Cannon, will be performing "Féerie" by Tournier, with the VYSO on February 24.