About

ABOUT HALLEY THE HARPER

I began playing in 1998. It was love at first pluck. Within six months I had performed in a community theater production of “A Lion, a Witch and a Wardrobe,” playing magical forest music. I also became a regular fixture during school choral concerts, playing during their biannual performances. By 2000 I was presented an opportunity to perform in front of 1500+ people alongside two violinists.

Receiving instruction from world-renowned double-strung harpist, Laurie Riley, I gained the confidence and knowledge to pursue my ambitions of becoming a professional musician.

During this time I was also performing regularly at a senior memory-care facility, Irish pubs and other locations around northwest Washington.

Since then I have traveled across the country, busking in Boston, performing events for a wedding planner in Utah and crooning ballads on pirate ships in the Florida Keys. I made my home in Portland, Oregon in January 2008 and since then have become well-known for performing harp at a variety of venues ranging from street corners, farmer’s markets, formal banquet halls, art openings and weddings.

I moved to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in the summer of 2016 and have been enjoying the heartwarming opportunities this area provides.

ABOUT THE HARP

In August 2000, I met Philip Boulding of Magical Strings during the Anacortes Arts Festival (Washington State) and began a relationship that has lasted over fifteen years. (With the harp, not the man – though he is an amazing person to know as well as musician and craftsman!) After a day of playing his “Kailey” prototype, this 36 poly-filament string Birdseye maple beauty came home with me that very day. Having a harp as unique as my playing, I got it fitted with bronze sharpening levers with ornamental Celtic dogs etched on the face plates in an effort to expand my traditional and Celtic repertoire. Though my style has evolved over the years, my love for the music has only strengthened.