Harpist - Adrienne Bridgewater

Meet Harpist, Adrienne Bridgewater – Adrienne Bridgewater is a third generation Arizona native who plays the harp and sings at events throughout Metropolitan Phoenix and the Southwest. She studied harp and voice at Arizona State University where she earned both Bachelors and Masters Degrees in addition to singing major roles in many musicals.

As a professional harpist for more than 20 years, Adrienne has played extended engagements at such prominent resorts as the Arizona Biltmore, Camelback Inn and the Wigwam. The combination of her lyric voice with the beautiful sound and stunning appearance of her golden harp enhance any special occasion. Adrienne’s versatility makes her music ideal for joyous weddings, elegant receptions and meaningful memorial services. She also plays a variety of classical and contemporary music on a black art deco electric harp.

Adrienne maintains an active teaching studio and is a leader in the music community as an executive board member of the Phoenix Chapter of the American Harp Society.

Harpist - Joyce Buekers

Meet Harpist, Joyce Buekers – Reverend Joyce Blair Buekers graduated from Claremont School of Theology and was ordained in Phoenix, Arizona at the Church of the Beatitudes United Church of Christ. After fifteen years in marketing for the IBM Corporation, she is enjoying a second career in Healthcare Ministry, as Executive Director for The Harp Foundation with prior experience as Integrative Therapies Coordinator and Chaplain/Pastoral Counselor Hospice of the Valley (HOV). She provides therapeutic harp to enhance the quality of life and transition for terminally ill hospice patients through a focus on the expressive and spiritual aspects of music, vibration and healing. She also uses prayer, therapeutic touch and aromatherapy as a part of her practice. Joyce founded the therapeutic harp program (Harp to Heart) at Hospice of the Valley which has expanded throughout the valley and state as the Harp Consortium (HC) and now The Harp Foundation. She now serves as the Executive Director of The Harp Foundation (THF), a not-for-profit organization founded by Hospice of the Valley, Interfaith Services, Inc., Sun Cities Area Ministerial Association and Sun Health Corporation, which strives to enhance the quality of life of patients and their families by providing live therapeutic harp music. THF has served over 30 institutions and is comprised of over 40 therapeutic harpists throughout the valley.

Harpist - Ernie Ferra

Meet Harpist, Ernie Ferra – Ernie Ferra, blind since birth, displayed an early talent in music. At the age of three he took an interest in playing the piano. Since then he has been inspired by (and now plays professionally) various instruments including the harp, piano, organ, keyboard, harmonica, guitar, and accordion.

Ernie can hear a song and play it without reading the music. He has participated in the mariachi band at both Arizona State University and South Mountain Community College. He studied the harp privately with well known harpists Alfredo Ortiz and Esther McLaughlin, and currently studies with Fermin Herrera of Cal State Northridge.

Harpist, Ernie Ferra

He has performed with Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano, and the groups Mariachi Cobre and Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan at the Mariachi Conference in Tucson. Ernie has also performed at the Albuquerque Mariachi Conference. In addition to mariachi music, Ernie also enjoys performing pop, religious, children’s songs, Christmas hymns, and classical pieces. He specializes in weddings and private events. He can be reached via his website at www.celestial-harp.com or through his manager, Stella Ferra, at (602) 938-1395.

Harpist - Marie Grandstaff

Meet Harpist, Marie Grandstaff - A dear friend, Lesa, from Phoenix knew my husband’s health condition required Hospice care. She phoned and said “what time would it be convenient for me to come and visit you and Del? I have a surprise gift for you.”

She arrived at the agreed upon time and we met in the courtyard garden. With her was a lovely blond carrying a harp! It was a harpist, Joyce Buekers, the founder of The Harp Foundation. Her beauty and harp music permeated the space around us. This moment of therapeutic harp music and new friendship entered my heart forever! Del, my beloved husband, was tightly grasping my hand, always a sign of pain. Gradually he relaxed and became so peaceful, his pain level decreased. The music touched my soul deeply, a flood of tears poured forth, releasing the pain and grief in my heart. How helpless we feel when unable to do more to relieve the suffering of those we love.

Before Joyce and Lesa left I asked if someone could play the harp in my husband’s room once a week. They told me Sherry Cook played for The Harp Foundation and was at Sun Health Hospice. We arranged for her to play each Tuesday in my beloved Del’s room for the final months of his life here on earth.

The day before Christmas Eve, A Tuesday, the hospice nurse told me “Del will have only a few more days with us”. Our Christmas tradition was to attend or listen to Handel’s “Messiah”. Holding his hand, we listened to the complete CD of this beautiful oratorio. I fed him an ice cream shake, the last food he was able to eat. He opened his eyes, looked at me and said, “I love you!” His last words here on earth.

A knock at the door, Sherry, the harpist, “Do you still want me to play? I have the song you requested last week”. “Please come in”, I said, and she began to play Bach’s “Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring”. While embracing my beloved, the room filled with this sacred music, his spirit left his body – his breath taken up in the breath of God. His transition was so peaceful, so serene. What a grand finale for Del!

Seven years of my life were spent in Indonesia. At the time of death in a family – friends say “your loved one has gone home to God”, “Kekasihmu, pulang Ke Rahmat tul’Allah”. Yes, my beloved has gone home to God and awaits to welcome me.

This magical harp story came full circle during the Memorial Celebration of Del’s life at Prince of Peace Church. Harp, violin, trumpet and choir music graced the Mass. After the service 70+ friends and family came to our home for sharing and dinner. Dear Joyce greeting the guests with heavenly harp music as they entered the front door of our home.

A new circle of events was to follow. Del’s spirit whispered in my heart “Why don’t you try to play the harp?” A truly new and novel idea. Maybe someday to join the Angel Harp Choir in heaven, but now? Well, why not? I rent a harp for 3 months. Sherry, my teacher was most encouraging. “You’re doing great”, she remarked. Again Del whispers in my heart “May 19th, a perfect birthday gift for you!” Yes, I now have a harp. What a birthday present!

A new circle of events with the harp is now taking birth. Upon receiving a generous inheritance from my dear mother and father, I decided to honor them and in memory of my beloved Del to give a donation to The Harp Foundation. This was to begin the “Angel Song” therapeutic harp program at Del Webb Hospital, where Del and I have received excellent care in the past years. The harp, one just like mine, will be blessed and brought to the hospital May 19th. Yes, this time a birthday gift from me for the many people whose lives will be touched by the healing, heavenly strains of the harp music. May it become for all, as it has been for me, as message, a gift of “Healing – Harmony & Flowering” by Marie Mohr-Grandstaff May 19, 2008

Harpist - Karin Gunderson

Meet Harpist, Karin Gunderson – Karin Gunderson serves as a Harp Practitioner for several hospice units in Phoenix, Arizona. She has been a professional musician and vocalist for more than 20 years and plays the harp, flute and piano. The ministry of Heavenly Harp was inspired by the many amazing experiences shared during Karin’s years as a harpist and music minister. Karin is a graduate of Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota.

Harpist - David Ice

Meet Harpist, David Ice – David has been playing Harp professionally for over 25 years, and has studied with some of the finest harpists of our era: Marjorie Call-Salzedo, Mildred Dilling, and David Watkins (formerly of the London Philharmonic Orchestra.) In addition, David is currently president of the Phoenix Chapter of the American Harp Society and has served as 2nd Vice President of the American Harp Society.

David has presented seminars at several National Conferences of the American Harp Society, the World Harp Congress, and has been a guest lecturer at harp festivals around the world, including Adelaide, Australia, Copenhagen, Denmark, Dublin, Ireland, Austin, Texas, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and at the Royal Academy of Music in London, England. In addition, his harp arrangements published by Vanderbilt Music, Inc. have been best sellers, and he has been a featured columnist in The Harp Column magazine.

David has an extensive repertoire of classical and tasteful popular tunes perfect for all occasions, including all of the traditional bridal marches and recessionals. Discreet and inconspicuous amplification is available. And if you’re planning an outdoor event such as a wedding, reception, or memorial service, a Harp is much more transportable than a piano or organ!

In addition to solo Harp engagements, David is very active as a free-lance symphony harpist, and is available for any special orchestra or ensemble performance. Recent performances include:

• Phoenix Symphony
• Scottsdale Symphony
• Sun Cities Symphony
• Arizona Opera
• ASU Lyric Opera Theater
• Opera El Paso
• Flagstaff Symphony

Harpist - Jacqui Musselman

Meet Harpist, Jacqi Musselman – A life-long musician, Jacqi felt compelled to get a harp when her spouse died several years ago. She has made harp playing her life’s passion since then. “Playing the harp was the best possible thing to get me through the grief. There’s no denying its healing qualities.” Jacqi has played extensively at St. Joseph’s pediatrics as part the of ‘the Angel Song Program’ . She studied with Laurie Riley in the Clinical Musician certification program, and attended several therapeutic music conferences, taking workshops from many of today’s therapeutic harp gurus. She has studied accelerated learning and brain-based learning techniques extensively, and likes to use those techniques in the Harp Foundation classes, as well as in her private teaching.

Harpist - Jacqui Musselman

Jacqi has taught at the elementary, high school and university levels in addition to being a corporate training manager and consultant. She created and facilitates The Harp Foundation’s Preparation Course, for those harpists wishing to play in healing settings. In addition to enjoying providing therapeutic music, Jacqi also has a passion for Celtic music, and her newest endeavor is jazz harp. She was a student of the late reknown pop & jazz harpist, Harvi Griffin. She has recorded for all three of The Harp Foundation’s CD’s. Jacqi plays several other instruments and one of her greatest joys is jamming with other musicians. She has performed with a Celtic band and performs in ensemble with a flutist and a guitarist.

Harpist - Jocelyn Obermeyer

Meet Harpist, Jocelyn Obermeyer – Jocelyn is a music teacher, performer, therapeutic harpist, mother, wife, and good friend of The Harp Foundation. She graced us with her presence in April of 2007 after completing our therapeutic harp training program.
Jocelyn works at many locations for Hospice of the Valley. She is also a regular visitor to St. Joseph’s Hospital where she plays for patients and staff. In addition to her harp work, she serves as The Harp Foundation marketing specialist and Program Coordinator. She is active in the Arizona Chapter of the American Harp Society.

In the 3 years I have known her, she has played an estimated 3000 gatherings and the universal comment is how Jocelyn “connects” with the patients, families, staff, volunteers and the harp community at all the locations she works for.
A few of her extra activities include her leadership for our Harps in the School Program. She made the contact with the funder, started the program at Starshine Academy, an at risk school serving a population of K-12 in the highest felony area in Phoenix. This program is being written up to show how brain waves have changed the ability to learn.

Harpist - Jocelyn Obermeyer

In addition, she is one of the four harpists trained for THF 50 baby clinical research project at the largest NICU and regional hospital, St. Joseph’s CHW Medical Center in downtown Phoenix where Jocelyn has been the lead harpist for 2 years now. Seeing her connect with the babies and the families is amazing.

She is helping to coordinate a major event at Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center next with 5 harpists and will be accompanying me for a duet with piano.

Harpist - Linda Petersen

Meet Harpist, Linda Petersen - Linda credits her husband’s love of harp music for her career as a harpist. Dave was always searching the newspapers for harp concerts. He found a story about an upcoming recital featuring harpist, Ester McLaughlin.

Linda had the opportunity to meet Ester after the concert. She inquired about harp training. Per Ester’s suggestion, Linda spent three years learning the piano before beginning her instruction with Ester. In 1984, Linda began her career as a harpist.

“Playing the harp has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.” says Linda. “ Being a part of the Angel Song program at Saint Joseph’s Hospital has been a special blessing in my life.

Linda Petersen

I have observed first hand the soothing effects on the children, their families and friends, and even the medical professionals, as they respond to the therapeutic sounds of the harp.”

Linda received her certification through the Harp Foundation’s training program and the Music for Healing and Transition Program. She has been the recording secretary for the Phoenix, Arizona Chapter of the American Harp Society as well as a major supporter of The Harp Foundation. Currently, she works as a judicial assistant in Phoenix.