Past Events Archive:

Erica Goodman, internationally-renowned harpist and Juno winner from Toronto, gave a master class on Sept. 4 at the UBC Recital Hall.

Here's Elizabeth Volpé's report:

Erica Goodman gave a master class at UBC School of Music's Recital Hall on Sept. 4. Four harpists played, and we had quite a few auditors as well. Participants were: Josh Layne, Esther Cannon,  
Gillian Shaw, and Janelle Nadeau, playing pieces by Layne, Godefroid, Hindemith, Tournier, Respighi, and Mozetich. Erica gave great advice not only to the participants, but spoke to the audience as well, telling several anecdotes and making points that would be helpful to all who were there. She even gave flawless performances of "Chanson dans la Nuit" and "Scintillation" by Salzedo to illustrate his style. She said she learned these pieces when she was young, so they are still locked into her memory and can be performed on very short notice without any practice. I know this to be true, because she was practising in my home for several days before the class, and never practised either of these pieces!
 
 
 
 

The BC Chapter had a potluck dinner at 6:30 PM on June 22, 2007, then a hilarious and informative tuning workshop given by Bess Lu at Elizabeth Volpé's home. A meeting ensued, regarding our bid to host the World Harp Congress in 2011. We will have to borrow at least 20 pedal harps in good playing condition, and collect over a hundred volunteers to do such things as drive guest harpists around, billett some harpists, check for name tags and tickets at doors of events, etc. Volunteers do not have to be harpists; they can be friends, relatives, etc. On June 25, Patricia Wooster will meet Elizabeth, Kayo and Kaori for a tour of two possible sites and a meeting with a Tourism Vancouver representative. Anyone wanting to volunteer or request updates may e-mail Elizabeth Volpé, the Chair of the Host Committee (if we win the bid). 

 
 
 

Gianetta Baril, a Juno-award-winning harpist from Calgary, gave a master class at Elizabeth Volpé's house on May 27. Participants were: Moira Warburton, Nicole Galloway, Melissa Snow, Victoria McArthur, Vicky Chan and Maria Whelton. 

Elizabeth Volpé has published a book of music called Elizabeth Volpé Bligh: Solos for Lever or Pedal Harp, which is available from www.theavondalepress.com. Six of the pieces in it will be in the Royal Conservatory Syllabus that is coming out in the fall. 

In March, 2007, in New Zealand, she gave a master class at the University of Auckland, a workshop for lever harps, a teachers' forum, and four private lessons in Wellington. Two of her articles were subsequently printed in the New Zealand Harp Association's newsletter, as well as two glowing reviews!
 

The photo below was taken from the studio at Mount Royal College Conservatory in Calgary. Elizabeth Volpé Bligh did a video master class for Gianetta Baril's harp students in January, using UBC's Telestudios. 

Report on Sebastien and Sayo Lipman Concert:

The Lipman Duo came from Brisbane, Australia to do concerts and master classes here and in Seattle. They were on their way to perform in Tokyo at the Lyon Healy showroom. Sebastien is the former Principal Harpist of the Berlin Philharmonic and Sayo is the Third Prize winner of the 8th Annual Japan International Harp Competition. 

The concert was very generous in length; from 8:00 - 10:00, with lots of variety. My personal favourite was "Parvis" by Bernard Andrès, a very interesting and rhythmic gem. The Lipman's wowed us with their phenomenal technique and musicianship, not to mention endurance! Sebastien played on my gold Style 23, which misbehaved; it broke a 6th octave E before the show, and then a 1st octave D broke right in the middle of a piece! Sayo was luckier with the University's Salvi.

Our brave audience defied an impending snowstorm to come to this wonderful concert. The area around the concert hall had lost power, but luckily, UBC still had its lights on. 

The master class took place on January 7 at 2:00, also in the UBC Music Building's Recital Hall, featuring participants Joy Yeh, Lani Krantz, Esther Cannon, Jasmine Tsang, Annie Lee, and Gillian Shaw. Everyone played very well, and were very quick to adapt to Sebastien's excellent suggestions. 
-Elizabeth Volpé

This photo was taken after the Lipman Harp Duo concert on January 9 at the UBC Music Building's Recital Hall. From left to right are: Agnes Wan, Miya Otake, Elizabeth Volpé, Sayo Lipman, Sebastien Lipman, Kaori Otake. 
 

January 7, 2PM, Sebastien Lipman master class at UBC Music Department Recital Hall, 
6361 Memorial Road      $60/participant, $25/auditor

January 9, 8 PM, Sebastien and Sayo Lipman perform a concert of duo harp music at the Recital Hall at UBC School of Music, 6361 Memorial Road, Vancouver.
Tickets $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and students and $5 for children under 12
For tickets, contact UBC at 604-822-5574 or concerts@interchange.ubc.ca.
 

Founding of the BC Harp Chapter!

On Oct. 11, 2006, Elizabeth Volpé hosted a recital by harpist Josh Layne, who was returning from a tour through California, Oregon and Washington.  The evening started with a potluck dinner, then the recital, then the first meeting of the new BC Chapter of the American Harp Society. The officers are President: Elizabeth Volpé, Vice-President: Maria Whelton, Secretary/Treasurer: Kaori Otake. The other founding members are: Josh Layne, Joan Spencer, Dr. Chris Waltham, Kayo Otake, Esther Cannon and her mother Pam.
 

Harp Gala at UBC!

The Celestial Strings Harp Gala took place on September 17 at the Recital Hall at UBC School of Music.   We raised almost $12,000 to pay the balance after a generous discount of $10,000 from the Aoyama Harp Company for an "Amphion" harp (black with matte finish). That is the new harp in the centre of the photo.
 

A couple photos of the harp ensemble. 
Harpist (left to right) Elizabeth Volpé, Lani Krantz, Kaori Otake, Janelle Nadeau, Joy Yeh and Rita Costanzi.

 The flautist is Carol Dymond and the castanet player is Brian Nesselroad

(Photographs by Keiki Ai)