Marilyn's Bio

Growing up in a musical family, I learned to sing and play the piano at a very early age, adding guitar and flute in my teen years.

I learned to play the harp as an adult and have been playing for about 25 years. My husband, Bill, lovingly built my beautiful, treasured 36-string Celtic harp. Playing the harp touches my soul and feeds my spirit in a profound way.

I enrolled in the International Harp Therapy Program in 2004 and graduated in 2008. My practicum took place in the San Diego Hospice and in the Hinton Health Care facilities. I am one of 18 Canadian graduates. I am accredited with Canadian Therapeutic Harp Practitioners and the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Musicians based in the US. I often use a small “therapy harp” on a guitar strap when space and mobility are issues. As a graduate of IHTP, I meet and adhere to their standards – I am accomplished in harp repertoire and improvisation and am committed to fostering trust, insuring confidentiality, respectfulness and sensitivity.

I have studied Celtic harp with Terry McDade (Edmonton), Kim Robertson (USA), Sharlene Wallace (Toronto), Harper Tasche (USA), Christina Tourin (USA), Maire Ni Chathasaigh (Ireland), Alys Howe (Nova Scotia), Sunita Staneslow (Israel) and Maeve Gilchrist (Scotland). Also Tristan Le Govic (France), Felice Pomeranz (US), Seamus Gagne (US), Phamie Gow (Scotland), Mairi Chambeuil (Isle of Skye, Scotland), and Ceri Jones (Wales).

I love to work with individuals and groups, I have a special fondness for the elderly and children and I know from personal experience that music has unique healing qualities and that the tone of the harp is especially connected to the spirit. I am a good listener and I have an intuitive side which are assets for a Harp Therapy Practitioner. I enjoy using my talents and my love of music in a healing, caring profession.