ANNA DUNWOODIE HARP
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Thanks for dropping by!

As you will see from my website, I'm passionate about anything to do with harps, and I have been since I first saw one at age ten, and I said to my mum ' that's what I want to do!'

As a teacher, it's my goal to help develop a life long love of music, and that is different for every single student, and every harpist who joins one of my ensembles.  We don't all have to follow the same path - some learn to play the harp to tick off exam based goals, while others do it because they 'have always wanted to play' and some do it because their mum thought they should.  Lessons should be informative, practical, varied and have an element of interest and fun.  I like my students to gain an understanding about the history of music, and understand the theory of music at the level they are working at.
Becoming successful as a harpist takes dedication, diligence  and perservance - there ain't no magic fairy dust here, honey!

I'm a big believer that everyone should join an ensemble. The fun really starts when you bring your love of music and share it with other musicians. I like to start people in ensembles early - after a few months of getting to know the instrument, so they can share the fun sooner!

As a composer and arranger, I'm passionate about creating finger friendly and interesting music, and making plenty of music available to harpists of all levels. I like to gently push the boundaries with my arrangements and my students, popping in little surprises occasionally - just to keep things interesting for the harpist, and for me, the arranger.

My philosophy on learning and playing the harp comes from a fairly isolated harp journey as a teenager - there weren't harp events to attend, there was no internet, YouTube or online learning, and my lessons were a two hour drive each way - I had a dedicated mum, and I was so keen that the distance was never an issue for me.  

As a result, I now organise and plan events which I would love to be a student, audience member or attendee at myself.  My students who are fully involved and engaged in the extra events I create (outside of lessons) are the same ones who are making great progress, are in love with music (for life) and support and strengthen our fabulous harp community.

My background:
As a child I had lessons in piano, guitar, voice and later, as a young teenager, I started to learn to play the harp.  I studied tertiary music obtaining a Bachelor of Music (in Harp Performance) at Auckland University School of Music, and went on to gain a Diploma of Teaching, majoring in Music and English, and then a Diploma of Children's Literature.  I have continued to have lessons, and attended workshops and lectures with many other harpists and teachers over the years, and considering a continual education important in my role as a teacher.

I have been involved in arranging harp ensembles, harp weekends and retreats since 2001,  and my most recent role is as artistic director for Harp Fest NZ 2023 , the first harp festival in New Zealand since 2004.

In 2022 we formed Harps Aotearoa Foundation to fill the musical needs of the harp community in NZ by providing high quality harp related experiences for all ages, stages and abilities. I took on the role of chair person of Harps Aotearoa as well as being one of the founding trustees and generating ideas and events.  Our first major event was the highly successful Harp Fest NZ 2023 which rocked the harp world in NZ and abroad. Check out the website and my calendar for related events.




2025 Artistic Director preparing for Harp Fest NZ 2026

2025
Folk Harp Journal
(USA) publishes a collaborative piece on... writing collaboratively with Erika Lieberman (USA) and Angela Boraston (UK). 

2025 
Harp Teachers Gathering

How to Teach Sightreading to Beginners.

2025 Harp Retreat with Heather Downie (Scotland)

2024 
Somerset Harp Festival
tutor, New Jersey, USA.
'Happy Pie' is published in the Somerset HF programme and Folk Harp Journal.
2024 published the final volume of the Feelin' Festive series...
Feelin’ Festive Vol 1
Feelin’ Festive Vol 2
Feelin’ Festive Vol 3
​
2024 Joined the 
 Folk Harp Journal team compiling the top ten videos column with Angela Boraston (UK)

 2024 Harp Retreat with Adriano Sangineto (Italy)
2023 published A Kiwi Christmas

​
2023 Joined the Board of the International Society for Folk Harpers and Craftsmen


2023 Hangin' with the Harp (Atlanta Harp Centre) Sight Reading for the Harp

2023 Artistic Director of Harp Fest NZ 2023


2022 Chair of the newly formed Harps Aotearoa Foundation
2022 - Forest of Harps ensemble music books

2021 -
Harp Teachers Gathering with Mary Radspinner

​2020 - Dyades - duets across the world

2020 - created Zoom Room Harp Chats

​2020 Harp Retreat with Rachel Hair (Scotland)

2019 - taught 'KiwiCelt' tunes at
Edinburgh International Harp Festival


2019 - tutor at 'Retreat to the Harp', with Keziah Thomas and Alex Rider, Surrey, UK

2019 - Harp Retreat with Maeve Gilchrist (Scotland/USA)

2018 - 100 Harps Showcase

2017 - taught at Benslow Clarsach Course, Hitchen, UK with Danielle Perrett.

2017 - created the Harp Music Club subscription music

​2017 - Gliss harp trio, then quartet and now (2023) quintet

​2016 - created the BegEnz range of beginner ensemble music books

2015 - performed at Southeastern Harp Weekend and as warm up artists for DHC at Ashville, North Carolina USA

2015 - created the first annual NZ Harp Performance Competition

2013 - director of the Auckland Harp Orchestra, now Forest of Harps

2012 to present - World Harp Congress correspondent

2009 - First Harp Retreat (weekend residential course) continued every few years

2008-2020 Editor of the NZ Harp Society journal

2008-2013 President of the NZ Harp Society

2006-9 - four 'Sightreading for Harp' books with Lisa Williamson

2002 and 2004 made little harplets, Jamie and Oliver

2001- First Harpenz ensemble weekend with Lisa Williamson. 16 attendees. These continued every two years until 2021

1991 - Attended Auckland University School of Music, then Teacher's College

1987 - Began playing the harp!
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  • Home
    • About
  • Gallery
  • Teaching
    • FAQs
    • Online lessons
    • Forest of Harps
    • Harps in Schools CCS
    • Harp Kids
    • Harp and Tea links
    • Workshops
    • Musings >
      • Group Lessons
      • Buying a Harp?
      • Why Tune My Harp
      • My harp won't stay in tune
      • Set up for success
      • Music education
    • Links
  • Projects
    • SaltWood
    • Gliss - Harp Quartette
    • NZ Harp Perf Comp >
      • Holiday Music 2022
      • Harp Comp History
      • NZHPC 2022
      • Holiday Music 2021
      • NZHPC 2021
      • Holiday Music 2020
      • NZHPC 2020
      • NZHPC 2019
      • NZHPC 2018
      • NZHPC 2017
      • NZHPC 2016
      • NZHPC 2015
      • Awesome duos
    • Harp Retreat
    • Harp Fest NZ 2023
    • Harp Weekend/ Harpenz
    • Dyades
    • Past Projects/Events >
      • The Harp Hub
      • ZOOM ROOM HARP CHATS
      • BegEnz >
        • BegEnz Tunes
        • Lesser Known Carols videos
        • Christmas Carols
        • Jessica
      • Harp in the Park
      • Dance/Harp
      • 100 Harps
      • Singing for our Lives
  • SHOP
    • Sightreading for Harp
    • The Harp Music Club
  • Calendar
  • Contact Me!