Lessons & Classes
Private Music Instruction
Specializing in Celtic Harp for kids and adults
Teaching Experience
Private music lessons in Santa Cruz since 1999, and group classes with the Community Music School Celtic Camp, Harp Festival and Teen Band programs.
Location
The Dead Cow Gallery, Tannery Arts Center Complex, River St.
Current Hours
- Monday
- 2:00 - 6:00pm
- Tuesday
- 2:00 - 6:00pm
- Wednesday
- 2:00 - 6:00pm
- Thursday
- 1:00 - 5:00pm
Also Available
Harp workshops, with a focus on polyrhythms and arranging. Beginning piano for ages 5 and up. Vocal coaching for teens and adults. Band coaching for student groups. Musical direction for theater.
Rates
$50 for 60 minutes, $37 for 45 minutes, $25 for 30 minutes, Pay monthy or bi-weekly. Sorry, no refunds.
Some Requirements
Students must commit to a regular lesson schedule, with a minimum of 2 hours worth of lessons per month. Lessons may be held weekly for an hour or half hour, or every two weeks for one hour. Please choose a monthly or bi-weekly payment plan. Lessons cancelled with less than one week's notice will be charged at the regular price (excluding cancellations due to illness, which may be re-scheduled). Students are expected to practice regularly, keep their harps in tune, and keep their fingernails trimmed for ease of playing.
Harp Rentals
The Community Music School currently has two harps available for rent at a reduced price - a 19-string Pixie harp (for small children or beginning teens) and a 26-string Allegro (for teens and adult beginners). There is usually a waiting list, so call to find out about availablility. To rent a CMS harp, you must be taking regular lessons from a CMS harp teacher such as Jesse Autumn, Shelley Phillips, Jennifer Cass, or Cathleen O'Connell. You can find information on these teachers by clicking on "Folk Harp" on the School's website. CMS rental harps are offered at a low-income rate, and low-income students get priority if there is a long waiting list. Either harp may be rented by one person continuously for up to a year.
Another harp resource in Santa Cruz is Sylvan Music, located at the corner of Mission and Bay streets on the Westside. They usually have a few Allegro harps in circulation.
To schedule lessons, please email Jesse or call her at the Community Music School, (831) 426-9155.
Teen Band
A fun ensemble class for musicians ages 13-17 who play acoustic instruments. The focus is music from the Celtic and Scandinavian traditions, although Balkan, French and Pop music is often incorporated. The band teacher arranges music and directs the band, and also acts as a manager, setting up performances and promoting Teen Band events through the Community Music School. The group meets weekly to work on challenging new material, practice their repertoire, socialize and jam. Musicians in Teen Band sing and play a variety of instruments including fiddle, flute, tin whistle, saxophone, clarinet, oboe, guitar, cello, viola, harp, banjo, mandolin, accordion, piano, percussion and musical saw.
Location
Louden Nelson Center, corner of Laurel and Center St downtown.
Time
Fridays. 4:00 - 5:30pm, February 23rd through May 11th.
Tuition
$100 per musician, due at the first band meeting.
Scholarships
Call for info.
Performances
March 18 for the Irish Film Festival at Cabrillo College, April (TBA) in the sculpture garden at the Felix Kulpa Gallery, May 6 for a benefit concert at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center. Call for details.
If you are interested in joining the next session of Teen Band, or would like to hire the current band for an event, please email Jesse or call her at the Community Music School, (831) 426-9155.
Harp Festival Orchestra
The Community Music School, in preparation for the 4th Annual Santa Cruz Harp Festival, will be offering a free harp orchestra class for folk and pedal harp students who wish to perform in the 2008 festival concert. The orchestra class is open to players of all levels, given they are currently taking lessons on their instruments and can read basic sheet music and chord symbols. There will be a total of five classes leading up to the concert. If you are interested in attending the orchestra class next year, please call (831) 426-9155 to get on the harp fest mailing list.
Instructor
Jesse Autumn.
Location
Alternative Family Education, Benito Ave, Santa Cruz.
Time
January 2008.
Tuition
FREE.
Harp Festival Concert
TBA.
Harp Fest DVD
A DVD of this year's festival concert, that was held January 5, will be available soon. Look for it on Community Television in March 2007!
The Santa Cruz Harp Festival is sponsored by a grant from the Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County.