Q: How long have you been performing and what is your background?

A: I have been performing professionally since 1996.  I have received twelve years of formal music education from several private harp instructors in Austin.  You can read my full biography here. 
Q: Can you take special requests?

A: Often, yes.  If the piece is not one that is in my repertoire, I typically charge a $25 fee plus the cost of the sheet music, and I need at least three weeks advance notice to prepare the piece.  If I am unable to locate a suitable sheet music arrangement, I sometimes accept commisions to write an arrangement for the harp.  Pricing for this is determined upon evaluation of the project, the length of time needed to write it, and the difficulty, etc. 
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: If we decide to hire you, what happens next?

A: I will need to receive a signed contract and 50% deposit from you in order to secure our agreement for your event.  In most cases, I will email you a blank contract to fill out and mail to me, unless we have arranged to do a consultation and you wish to take care of that then. 
Q: Do you do in-person consultations?

A: Yes!  If you wish, you may schedule a meeting with me so that you can hear me play in person and we can discuss the particulars of your event.  I typically hold meetings at my home in South Austin free of charge. 
Q: How do we choose our music?

A: For a wedding ceremony, you can choose the program order either at your consultation, or via phone and email.  I have samples of my wedding music here that you can listen to, and I can also email you some sample wedding programs to help you figure out what songs to choose. 

For receptions and other types of parties and events, you do not need to choose specific songs, unless there are special requests you'd like to make.  Simply tell me what genres you would like me to play and I will be happy to accommodate. 
Q: What style of music do you play?

A: I play a wide variety of styles.  Traditional wedding favorites, classical, popular, jazz, international, hymns & sacred music, and international are just some of the types that I perform.  Having a broad range of musical genres allows me to better serve the tastes of my clients.
Q: What do you wear when you perform?

A: Clients can always expect me to dress professionally and elegantly, no matter the occasion.  For weddings, I usually wear a formal or semi-formal gown.  When possible, I try to coordinate the color with the wedding party.  For other events, it depends on the setting.  Often I wear the same dresses as for weddings.  Occasionally for a daytime or more casual event I may wear black pants with a dressy top.  If you would like to see photos of some of the outfits I wear, you can do so here.
Q: Do you play outside?  What if it rains or is threatening weather?

A: Yes, I often perform outside.  In conversations with my clients, I usually ask for a description of the area which I will be setting up in.  It is important for the harp to be set up on level, dry ground.  The harp also needs to be in the shade during hot weather, even if the event is going to be short. This is because the wood frame of the harp expands in heat and can cause permanent damage to the instrument.  I always ask that the client have a backup plan for inclement weather such as rain, thunderstorms, extreme heat, or ice/snow.  If the weather is bad, having a backup plan is something you and your guests will appreciate as much as I will!
Q: Do you perform with another musician as a duo, such as harp and violin?

A: Yes, I often perform with violinist Becky Montgomery.  If you are interested in having her perform with me, I will contact her regarding availability and request that she give you a price quote for her services.  I also occasionally perform with a vocalist or other instrument. 
Q. Will the harp be heard by all my guests?

A: The harp is capable of reaching audiences of at least 150 guests without amplification, sometimes more for indoor venues with good acoustics.  If you are expecting more than 150 guests, I sometimes recommend that you ask the venue, or your DJ if you are hiring one, about the posibility of setting up amplification equipment for the harp.
Q. Do you attend wedding rehearsals?

A: No, usually it is not necessary for me to attend your rehearsal..  I do provide a free CD of all the songs that you chose for your ceremony, and you may use that at your rehearsal to practice with.  The tempos that I have recorded should provide you with a good idea of what speed you and your attendants should walk to. 
Q. Can I watch you perform at another wedding?

A. Generally, this is frowned upon by the music community, and I discourage it, because weddings are private affairs that are usually by invitation only for close family and friends.  If you are interested in seeing me perform, you can check my website for my upcoming concerts and public appearances.  I frequently perform with the Austin Wind Symphony, and you are always welcome to come to one of our concerts.  You can also hear me play in person by scheduling a free consultation with me.
Q. Can you accompany my (best friend/sister-in-law/mother etc.) who wants to sing or perform a special song?

A. There is an extra charge for me to accompany your friend or family member singing or performing a special song at your wedding.  The price is determined by what the piece is, the amount of time it will take to prepare it, and the amount of rehearsing with your performer needed.  If your performer is out of town, I may require that he or she send me a recording of them singing/playing the piece so that I can rehearse with it prior to your ceremony.  I always advise brides to be confident in the ability of their performer before they decide to put them up in front of a crowd.  I also reserve the right to decline to accompany someone if the piece does not transfer well to the harp.  I am happy to discuss your specific requests and try to work something out.
Q. What happens if there is an accident or unforseen event on the day of my wedding and you are unable to come?

A.  In all my years of performing professionally, this has never happened, but still the bride must expect the unexpected.  If somethings were to happen this is my planned procedure.  Firstly, if there is time, I will do everything in my power to find a substitute harpist.  I have many connections with the other harpists in my area, and in some cases I am able to find someone at the last minute.  If this is not possible, however, I always give brides permission to use the demo CD that I have sent them as a last-minute substitution.  In the unlikely event that I am unable to perform and a suitable substitute cannot be found, the bride wil receive a full refund. 
Q. Do you need someone to meet you when you arrive and to provide cues?

A.  Yes!  You will need to designate someone who will answer their cell phone in case of problems and to meet me when I arrive.  I will need to be shown where the harp is to be set up, an update on schedule, and then to cue me when the family and bridal party is ready to proceed in.  If you are using a wedding coordinator, she is usually the person who will handle these tasks (or her assistants).  If you do not have a coordinator, often a mother, aunt, or friend who is helping to assist with the wedding will take over instead. 
Q. Do you want to stay for dinner at the reception?

A.  I do not expect the bride and groom to invite me to the reception.  Occasionally, if invited, I may stay briefly for a bite to eat, especially if the wedding is a long distance or I am hired for both ceremony and reception.  :-)
Q. What do you charge for events?  How did you decide what to charge?

A.  In order to give you an accurate price quote, I will need to know the details of when, where, and what time.  Please email me or call me with these details to receive a quote.  Price is based upon the length of time needed and the distance to the event location.  The price not only includes the hours I spend performing at your event, but also all email correspondance, consultations, preparation and rehearsal of the specific music for your event, travel time, and set-up/break-down time.   When I base my rates, I take into consideration the annual costs of maintaining my instrument, advertising, sheet music, purchase and dry-cleaning of my performance gowns, travel expenses, and other miscellaneous costs.  I also keep in contact with other local harpists to know what the going rate in Austin is for my type of services.  All harpists are friends of mine, and I want to be sure that my rates are affordable without undercutting my colleagues.