Harp-Abilities

MOVED TO FACEBOOK

2011-07-24T17:23:00.000-07:00

Harp-Abilities continues on Facebook: Harp-Abilities Facebook This blog will remain online as an archive and history of Harp-Abilities. Thanks for your interest.

Thriller

2011-04-10T14:30:00.000-07:00

St. Luke's Foundation has a Variety Show fund raiser that I have participated in 2009 and 2010. Oct. 2010 show had me surrounded by the "Thriller Men-At-Work". Great fun, wonderful cause!

Another visit to Japan

2011-03-22T16:29:00.000-07:00

I just returned from a 2 week visit to west/south Japan and was in the country when its disasters occurred. It brought into perspective that although I enjoyed trying different kotos to play and consider to buy, that I really didn't need anything else to achieve happiness or bring happiness to others. A visit to Daisen-in Temple in Kyoto had delightful conversations with the monk and poet Soen Ozeki there....he was pure joy. So instead of sharing anything about harp and challenges, I would like instead to share one of his writings with you.

Each day in life is training
Training for myself
Though failure is possible
Living for each moment
Equal to anything
Ready for anything

I am alive
I am this moment
My future is here and now

For if I cannot endure today
When and where will I?

Self-Help

2011-02-26T14:22:00.000-08:00

Nothing to really report the past couple of months because I was staying out of health care facilities and groups when I had the shingles. I continued to play my harps for myself, and I found the vibrations to eliminate....yes I said eliminate.....my shingle pain in my ear. I am happy to report my good health is back, shingles are gone and I am enjoying harping at rehab, hospitals and hospice again. I have several events and happenings scheduled for April so I will share that with you then. I will also be announcing my Harp-Abilities harp, which is truly accessible, economical and has a lovely tone. Till then, take care!

Certified Clinical Musician

2011-01-08T19:50:00.000-08:00

I started this journey of certification to network, study, compose and improv into the realm of harp therapy. My time spent with Hospice patients has taught me lessons of how to live. I am grateful to those who have shared this journey with me and am delighted to now add the initials CCM to my name.

Xmas Harping 2010

2010-12-17T11:06:00.000-08:00

My ensemble group, the Christmas Chicks or also known as the CC Trio, consists of Kathy on keyboards, Julie on flute and myself on harp. We have enjoyed sharing music with those who are home bound in health care facilities this season. We found the cutest little mascots to bring along. :-)

Grant work completed!!!

2010-12-17T11:03:00.000-08:00

I received a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council to study with mentors and produce 10 disability in music harp arrangement with new recording equipment. I completed this last week and have samples of the arrangements on my website Xina Music - Healing Harp Music under the Disability In Music section. Much appreciation to ARAC and McKnight Fellowship for the grant!

The Woman Today

2010-11-19T13:27:00.000-08:00

It is nice to have my Harp-Abilities program recognized by the local publication, The Woman Today. Check out the Dec/Jan 2011 issue either by online, which has the cutest kids in the pic, or as dial-up pdf for the article (pgs 16-17). Thanks to St. Luke's Hospital, where I volunteer, for the photo shoot location!

The Woman Today

Harp-Abilities logo

2010-10-08T18:03:00.000-07:00

A new logo for Harp-Abilities designed by the very creative graphic artist, Bridget Riversmith. You can view her work at www.redrabbitriversmith.com Bridget is co-founder and active supporter of the Arrowhead Alliance of Artists with Disabilities AAAWD.

The comfort and joy of the harp rings through its strings!

New Website!

2010-10-01T13:08:00.000-07:00

Check it out! XinaMusic.com has information on harp music, disability in music, catalog and No-C-Notes. Postings of harp music to come within the month!

Pink Ribbon support

2010-09-14T13:07:00.000-07:00

I participated in and provided harps and music for the St. Luke's Breast Cancer Support Group on Sept. 13. What a wonderful resource and support for breast cancer survivors and those now undergoing treatment! The lap zither and Waring harp were passed around for everyone to try and I talked a bit about healing and relaxing harp music and modes while playing on the Eden harp.

Duluth Mayor support for AAAWD

2010-08-16T04:37:00.000-07:00

Pottery created by Roald Molberg, a double amputee, with Mayor Don Ness.

Networking and recognition of their art was the reason many artists with challenges belong to AAAWD (Arrowhead Alliance of Artists With Disabilities), which was organized in Duluth, MN in 2008. I am proud to be a supporter of this group. Duluth News Tribune has an article recognizing Duluth Mayor Don Ness support of AAAWD in it's August 16, 2010 issue.

Somerset Harp Fest

2010-08-05T14:20:00.000-07:00

The 10th annual Somerset Harp Festival in Parsippany, NJ last week was a wonderful experience for me to give seminars in harpers with disabilities. I brought along a Waring 19 string accessible harp and had opportunities to attend healing harp courses. What a wonderful opportunity!

My travel and recording expenses were provided for by the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council award of the McKnight/ARAC Artist Support grant.

Certified Clinical Musician

2010-07-16T14:36:00.000-07:00

A new goal, and much learning, sharing and musical caring along the way. The Harp for Healing Certified Clinical Musician program has given me more depth in my harp music and intention to bring relaxation and reduce anxiety. This course is certified by the National Standards Board for Therapuetic Musicians. I feel it will help further with music for those with challenges and sharing of the harp.

Xmas in July

2010-07-16T14:32:00.000-07:00

Much fun happening at Lakeshore in Duluth last night! The sing along with my Christmas Chicks (Julie flute, Kathy keyboards, myself harp) Christmas in July program was clear and full of harmony! So happy to share with all! Sorry, no pics.

2010-06-23T05:12:00.000-07:00

Harping at Grandma's Marathon this year included long time roadside marathon performer, tuba player Elton Brown.

From Duluth News Tribune:

Christina Cotruvo of Duluth, on harp, and Elton Brown, on tuba, entertain runners

at 42nd and London Road Saturday with a rendition of Pachelbel's Canon in D. photo rking@duluthnews.com

Koto in Kyoto

2010-04-27T20:12:00.000-07:00

I am in awe of Koto, Japanese Harp, and its music. I found a koto shop in Kyoto when in Japan this month and am wondering if I finally found an accessible harp. I will receive koto work drawings this week and ..... well...... Stay tuned!!!!!

Millennium Harper

2010-03-26T13:34:00.000-07:00

Goal achieved! The journey has been so much more important and I appreciate all who shared it with me. Thanks to John Lozier, director of Harping for Harmony and his outstanding organization. Harp-Abilities will continue!

2010-03-18T16:28:00.000-07:00

I always have some apprehension before harping at a hospital, but I clear the cobwebs and the harp and its music takes it away. Today three little girls, probably ages 2, 5 and 7, gathered around me in a waiting area and then sat at my feet listening and swaying to the music. One curled up to sleep. It not only relaxed the parents, but it was a wonderful experience for them to have while waiting in that area for who-knows-what news.

Accessible Harps forum discussion

2010-03-12T12:51:00.000-08:00

I will be presenting a forum discussion and a couple of seminars on harps and disabilities at the Somerset Harp Festival this July 2010. I have setup a forum discussion for online participation about Accessible Harps. Please join us.

Health Fair

2010-03-06T17:19:00.000-08:00

I really like participating in health fairs and today was no exception. The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd were very kind in having me share my harp music and also providing the space for people to try the small Harping for Harmony harp - those who tried it ranged in ages from 1 year to over 70. Soothing and calming were the common responses - and addictive! Kudos to this church for having a day long event that not only brought healing resources to the public, but also a place for socializing and being part of a community - so important to health!

Better Breathers

2010-03-06T17:04:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the Better Breathers club of Duluth for having me bring my Harp-Abilities to their gathering. Sponsored by the American Lung Association, this group meets monthly. At their meeting this week, I introduced them to my harps and each person got to play the Harping for Harmony and the lap/zither harp. Some famous musicians with asthma - Judy Collins Send in the Clowns, Ludwig van Beethoven, Lenard Bernstein and Kenny G.

AAAWD art showing

2010-03-01T17:38:00.000-08:00

Thank you Access for All at UMD who sponsored and provided gallery space for the AAAWD (Arrowhead Alliance of Artists with Disabilities) showing of 2 and 3 dimensional artwork and hosting a reception in the University's Multicultural Center Feb. 17, at which I played harp.

February 15 – March 15, 2010
The Multicultural Center
Kirby Student Union, University of Minnesota, Duluth
270 Kirby Student Center
1120 Kirby Drive, Duluth, MN

Harp-Abilities continues in 2010

2010-02-11T06:10:00.000-08:00

2010 will bring a better understanding of Harp-Abilities, more postings of health support group participation and experiences. I will try to do better with a posting of each event. I have found that I am unable to post my hospital and therapy center experiences due to privacy issues and I will continue to honor those. I have found it hard to express in words the sudden gatherings by people in motor carts around the harp playing, the child hooked to the life saving drip bags and monitors strumming the strings, patients who check the activity board to see when I am coming next, the staff who walk quickly to their next duty but bend over to whisper "blessings, thank you", the ones who are unable to speak but hug the harp and its sounds.

I will post scheduled events on my Xina Music website.

Harp-Abilities continued in 2009

2010-02-11T05:41:00.000-08:00

7 months has passed since last posting - so sorry. A lot of Harp-Abilities happenings the last part of 2009, mostly playing for patients and staff in hospitals, senior fairs, various home care settings, yoga group and support groups. My dedication resulted in weekly playing whether for one or many by September through the end of the year. A new website, Xina Music, was created to show my growth as a harper and audio describer. I had audio description training in December and look forward continue to provide services to those with challenges.

It has been 24 weeks now, since my dedication kick off on Sept. 1, of some type of Harp-Abilities sharing, and the experience has been live changing for me. We all have some type of challenge or disability and the response to live harp music is an instant bonding and sharing, of joy or tears or exhilaration, bringing us into the now and shedding labels and scars of a disability. Thank you to all who have shared with me.

Grandma's Marathon - Harping for Thousands

2009-06-26T14:48:00.000-07:00

10,000 runners go past my house every 3rd Sat. in June for Grandma's Marathon. Water and first aid stations line the route as do crowds cheering them on. I was one of the official musicians this year, providing lap harp by the mile 20 first aid station near my home. I played Synchronicity for about three hours, hopefully helping 5,000 to 6,000 runners to keep going. People ride bikes and walk on the sidewalk along the route and several wanted their children hear the harp and see it played and even took pictures. Runners early in the race yelled "harp in the house!" while the later in the race ones rest on the curb and listened to my playing.

This year's full marathon wheelchair winners are:

Men's - Joshua George

Women's - Amanda McGrory

CHOICE, unlimted

2009-06-01T06:14:00.000-07:00

Jules and I played music at CHOICE, unlimited's holiday open house a couple of years ago. CHOICE, unlimited is a community-based private non-profit organization located in Duluth which is dedicated to supporting adults with disabilities and individuals who are experiencing barriers to employment and community inclusion. I am proud to be part of the board of directors of CHOICE for ten years. Our employment services, ARTS programs and activities has grown from assisting a handful to a hundred.

Holiday Harping

2009-05-13T10:12:00.000-07:00

V.I.P. (Very Important Picture)
Harp-Myself. Flute-Julie Thorne. Piano-Kathy Modin

Julie and I have played harp/flute at nursing homes and churches for the Christmas Holidays since 2002, Kathy joined us in 2007. Our rehearsals are way too much fun and our performing experiences divine. Harp-Abilities should not be a lone pursuit!

I look forward to photos and details of our future gatherings, but this post is a touch of the past.

Some of the places we have shared music at in Duluth area are:
Glensheen Mansion
Benedictine Health Center
Lakeshore
Edgewood Vista
Hope Methodist Church
Grace Baptist Church
CHOICE, unlimited
Polinsky Rehabilitation

At one nursing home, a younger gentleman with limited mobility kept crying out - A harp! A harp! When the harp was passed from person to person, and then it finally reached him to touch he was illuminated and full of joy - then he kept saying I played the harp!

At another home, we played at their church service and an older gentleman was in deep conversation with Julie quite a bit before the service. I thought, well - she's blond and pretty and he's quite taken. But he left and I wondered Hmmmm? Doesn't like harp and flute? But back he came just in time for the start of the service - with his tuba! Although the minister tried to control the situation saying other music can be played AFTER the service, our tuba friend was moved by the music and joined in - with amazing musicality! It was obvious he had a classical background. So we had a wonderful service of Harp-Abilities, Flute-Abilities AND Tuba-Abilities!

Holidays can be difficult for you if you are in care and your loved ones and families want that glimmer of joy brought back to your eyes and hope for recovery. I went to a hospital rehab center with my harp to play for a close friend who had a close call health-wise, several other patients joined in. Holiday Harp music provides not only distraction, but also soothing tones and rhythms of a better time in their lives. Many are moved just by the sight of a harp, but those who also touch it respond with such joy. My friend has recovered, I wonder of the others - always.

P.E.O. with Georganne Hunter

2009-05-10T13:26:00.000-07:00

P.E.O. is a significant guiding strength in my life and I was delighted that Georganne Hunter, who was my guide and teacher with the harp, joined me in presenting a Harp-Abilities program to my Chapter DD in Duluth. Georganne brought her 36 string lever floor harp (Kortier harp) and played and talked of the different modes and moods that can be obtained by the harp. I brought my 24 string lever Eden therapy harp, Synchronicity, and lap zither for my P.E.O. sisters to try their Harp-Abilities. Fear of “not being musical” went away with their first pluck of the strings and realizing that music is within, not just something on paper in difficult notation or under the direction of the conductor.

P.E.O. is a Philanthropic Educational Organization of women who devote their time and energy to education for women and support of each other. More information at: http://www.peointernational.org

Harping with AAAWD

2009-05-09T18:55:00.000-07:00

A great Debut for the newly formed AAAWD and CHOICE, unlimited BOLD Theater's newest Acts! I am proud to be on the Board of CHOICE and a member of AAAWD!

AAAWD's multi-media debut at the Play Ground!

Friday & Saturday, November 21-22, 2008
"An AAAWD Evening"
The Play Ground
Technology Village (main level)
11 East Superior Street, Duluth, MN
6:30 pm | Artists' Reception featuring Harpist, Christina Cotruvo
7:30 pm | Part I: AAAWD Little Films
8:30 pm | Part II: CHOICE Dancers & BOLD-Choice Theater Company
Tickets $5 (general admission at the door)
Box Office: 218-733-7555

"An AAAWD Evening" will open at 6:30 p.m. with a reception in the lobby gallery where AAAWD’s 2D and 3D artwork will be on display. Complimentary refreshments will be served and artwork will be for sale. The reception will also include live music by harpist, Christina Cotruvo. Performances in the theater begin at 7:30 p.m. with “Part I: AAAWD Little Films” featuring short animation and adventure films by Ben Giesen, Todd Reed and Bridget Riversmith. Members of CHOICE, unlimited’s dance program will open “Part II: AAAWD Twists and Turns,” followed by BOLD-Choice Theater Company performing selected scenes from their latest production, Romeo and Juliet’s Tragic Comedy. Question and answer sessions will close each part, and the ‘Evening will conclude at 9:30 p.m. Tickets for this all-ages event are $5 (general admission at the door). Front row wheelchair-accessible seating and ASL interpreters will be available each night of the event.

According to AAAWD co-founder, Bridget Riversmith, “‘An AAAWD Evening’ is about expanding notions of ability and normality by adding our own definitions and experience to the equation through art. Our acronym sounds like “odd” and “awed” – words that echo what it’s like being an artist with a disability in America. The trajectory of our group is from odd to awed via artwork, humor, friendship and open minds.”

Arrowhead Alliance of Artists With Disabilities (AAAWD):

The underlying inspiration for AAAWD (and their logo) is the stone soup fable wherein a few stones placed in a pot of boiling water become both pretext and catalyst for creating something from nothing, and revealing nothing to be something after all.

AAAWD began in 2006 with a series of VSA arts of Minnesota-sponsored meetings which brought together individual artists and arts organizations from around the state to discuss forming artists with disabilities collectives in Greater Minnesota. In 2007, local artists with disabilities were invited by VSA and the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council to several meetings in Duluth to lay the foundation for a new collective. In early 2008, VSA arts provided grant money to help fund our group projects and outreach activities.

The current core membership includes these visual artists, actors, directors, musicians and filmmakers: Pete B., Christina Cotruvo, Ben Giesen, David Hoffman, Ryan Iallonardo, Julie Jeatran, Cecilia Lieder, Bill Lyth, Roald Molberg (co-founder), Karl Mulligan, Sarah Nord, Justin Powers, Todd Reed, Bridget Riversmith (co-founder) and Annie Roseen.

Santa Barbara AHS

2009-05-09T10:43:00.000-07:00

The Santa Barbara Chapter of American Harp Society created the program Joy of Harps at the Santa Barbara Braille Institute. Harriet found me on the Internet and asked if I could help teach my methods on how to teach harp to the visually impaired. What a talented and devoted group! They experienced the challenge of tuning harps while blind-folded and learned my method for teaching melody and accompaniment to students with diminished or no vision. They developed insight and inspiration, as well as practical techniques for their continuing Joy of Harps classes in at the Braille Institute.

Read more of Harriet and their inspiration at their Blog.

No-C-Notes Workshop, with Christina Cotruvo, April 29, 2006
(L-R from back row) Lynette Johnson, Christina Cotruvo, Laurie Rasmussen, Suzy Rowe, Leah Young, Anna Campbell, Patricia Rushton, Marion Smith, Jocelyn Rainey-Reif, Harriet Marx, Jeanne Martin

Summer Institute for College Bound Blind Musicians June 2005

2009-05-09T09:57:00.000-07:00

This was the start of my Harp-Abilities, a week long music camp for young blind musicians who met, shared and communicated with the harps.

David Goldstein is Director of the National Resource Center for Blind Musicians, at the Overbrook School in Philadelphia. John Lozier is the director of Harping for Harmony, who loaned 3 harps for my workshop. Rees Harps also lent a Harpsicle and I brought a lap zither. Here are parts of David's letter to John:

“I would like to extend my grateful appreciation for the loan of your harps to our Summer Braille Music Institute. I also want to say how truly wonderful it was that the students had this experience. Christina was just the right person, a very fine ambassador for Harping For Harmony.
The purpose of the Institute is to help young people who are blind learn the skills and strategies to study music at the conservatory level. Emphasis is on the braille music code and technology that allows them to independently produce written theory assignments. It is quite intensive. The harps, simple enough for anyone to get something good-sounding out of -- and to be hugged back by -- provided a haven and a respite, not to mention exposure to instruments many had not had an opportunity to experience first-hand.
Christina has described how the harps moved into the dorm and shared our couches. Just as it's the students who make a program, so too do the instruments. Your harps, and the hands and hearts behind making and distributing them, added their special harmony. They are part of the memories the students have to take back with them as they continue making the most of opportunities in their busy and exciting lives.”

An article printed in HarpLight for more detail on this program is at The Joy of Harps site:

What is Harp-Abilities?

2009-05-04T03:58:00.000-07:00

Harp-Abilities bring the joy of harp for those with challenges. Accessible and inspiring for expression, communication and relaxation. Harp-Abilities began with No-C-Notes audio music reading for the blind to touch the harp and be touched by it. It has expanded to Health care organizations, nursing and assisted living homes, schools and community service programs. Celtic harp music for those with various challenging physical abilities now discover their Harp-Abilities.

I invite you to share my journey with my lap harps "Synchronicity" and "Harmony" and I and all the people who have the chance in discovering their Harp-Abilities. My goal is to achieve Millennium Harper of Harp-Abilities in Duluth.