Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

Aside from a few parties and New Year’s events, I am done for the season and ready to focus in on next year and finishing up my CD!

I’ve had a great run of fun and challenging classical performing of the Britten Ceremony of Carols along with some very fulfilling playing of traditional carols and Christmas music.

My most fulfilling moment, though, came during my student’s recital when my fabulous students were able to perform for parents and friends.  They all did great, a testament to hard work, devotion and loving music.

Now with a few weeks off I can focus in on my CD and embrace the arctic cold that has set upon us in the cozy confines of my harp studio.  But,  I cannot wait for enough snow to done the snowshoes and cross country skis to venture into the woods, I am Norwegian, after all!

What a great time of year in Maine!   I’ve been working up my classical chops the past few months to perform one of my very favorite harp pieces: Benjamin Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols” .  This is a fabulous piece for solo harp and choir and I am thrilled to be performing it with the wonderful John Corrie and his talented crew, The Androscoggin Chorale in the beautiful Franco-American Heritage Center in Lewiston.  This former church has absolutely amazing acoustics and I am BEYOND thrilled to have the opportunity to perform here.  The harp just rings in this hall, even every little harmonic has a crystal clear sphere of sound . . . gives me goosebumps!

Saturday, December 10, 2011 • 7:30pm
Franco-American Heritage Center, Lewiston

Sunday, December 11, 2011 • 3:00pm
Franco-American Heritage Center, Lewiston

Saturday, December 17, 2010 •7:30pm
First Congregational Church, South Paris

http://mainemusicsociety.org

http://www.francoamericanheritage.org

In addition this weekend, I am so happy to once again be a part of the beautiful tradition of Carols and Lights at Colby College.  This is my third year participating with my good friend Nicole Rabata on Irish flute and it is absolutely one of the highlights of my holiday season.  The theme this year is a Global Celebration of Christmas.  I can’t wait to hear the arrangement of “Joy to the World” my very talented friend Jordan Benissan put together for African drums and dancers, organ, and trumpet!  http://www.jordanbenissan.com/

I do admit though, as corny as it is, my favorite part of the tradition is singing Silent Night with the cute little candles–I always cry!

Welcome to my new blog! More to come…