Harp in Worship Conference Online Experience
2023 Online participants will receive access to recorded workshops by Special Guests Robbin Gordon-Cartier and Sunita Staneslow, livestream access to all three evening concerts plus Sunday morning worship, as well as bonus content featuring select pre-recorded workshops from the 2021 Online Conference.
- Online Experience participants must register.
- In-person conference attendees will receive access to Online Experience content included with regular registration fee.
- A link to the video library and accompanying workshop PDFs will be emailed to all registered participants. Videos will become available for on-demand viewing beginning June 22 through December 31.
Robbin Gordon-Cartier
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Robbin Gordon-Cartier is a teacher in the East Orange School District where she directs the harp program that she originally created for the Elizabeth School District. She is President of the North Jersey Chapter of the American Harp Society and has served on the national level as 2nd Vice-President and Director at Large. Robbin continues to be a sought-after presenter of workshops across the country.
Mrs. Gordon-Cartier maintains a private studio where she teaches students of all ages and regularly freelances in the New York metropolitan area. Performance credits include appearances at Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall in New York City; the New Jersey Performing Arts Center; the Pablo Casals Music Festival in San Juan, Puerto Rico and the National Symphony Orchestra of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Mrs. Gordon-Cartier has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education and a Master's in Harp Performance from Montclair State University. As a young harpist, she spent summers in Dublin, Ireland studying at the Royal Irish Academy. She has been a recipient of numerous educational grants and awards. She received the NAACP Educator Award, the National Action Network Fannie Lou Hamer Award for outstanding contributions and active involvement in the community. Most recently, the Center for Arts in Education at Boston Arts Academy, along with the support of the Surdna Foundation, selected Robbin to receive a National Artist Teacher Fellowship. A Mentorship with the Grammy nominated electric harp virtuoso Deborah Henson-Conant was the project that won the award. Along with her teaching and performances Robbin describes herself, “I’m a church girl...I love the scriptures – and there is so much music in them. Music and scriptures inspire me.” Robbin's CD, "Just as I am" is available on CD Baby, Amazon and Itunes. |
Robbin Gordon-Cartier Workshops
As the Spirit Leads
This workshop is all about what music fits where, how to know what denominations use what music, and the different styles of playing for each. Be able to go from a synagogue to a Pentecostal church with ease and assurance. Let’s explore arrangements, rules, repertoire and changes to the way we worship in 2023!!
I Love to tell the Story: Hymns and Spirituals
These songs play an important part in worship services. When you know the stories behind the songs, it adds to the musicality and emotion as you play. Let’s explore the stories and learn some tips on playing original versions or adding to arrangements that you already use.
As the Spirit Leads
This workshop is all about what music fits where, how to know what denominations use what music, and the different styles of playing for each. Be able to go from a synagogue to a Pentecostal church with ease and assurance. Let’s explore arrangements, rules, repertoire and changes to the way we worship in 2023!!
I Love to tell the Story: Hymns and Spirituals
These songs play an important part in worship services. When you know the stories behind the songs, it adds to the musicality and emotion as you play. Let’s explore the stories and learn some tips on playing original versions or adding to arrangements that you already use.
Sunita Staneslow
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Sunita Staneslow is a native of Minnesota but has made Israel her home since the year 2000. She has become widely known for her accessible arrangements for the harp and has fifteen books published by Afghan Press, Mel Bay and Sylvia Woods. A graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, Sunita is classically trained but has a passion for traditional music. Her career has spanned many genres and she has recorded CDs of Jewish, Celtic and classical music.
Since 2007, Sunita has been working as a therapeutic harpist at the Schneider Children’s Medical Center in Israel. Sunita is a frequent performer and instructor at major North American folk harp festivals, was featured in the Virtual Harp Summit and is a lever harp instructor for the on-line Harp Column Academy. Sunita and her husband, Fred moved from Israel to Shetland in the summer of 2022. They are restoring an old stone house on the North Sea. www.hamars.uk |
Sunita Staneslow Workshops
Psalms of David
From daily prayer to times of great need, the Psalms are an important part of Jewish worship and prayer. Sunita will guide you through several Psalms set to Jewish melodies focusing on style. Feel confident playing Jewish music and learn some melodies that can be played for ecumenical services and in retirement communities and hospice.
Playing from the Heart
Sharing music that truly touches people usually comes more from your heart than your fingers. Phrasing, feeling comfortable while you play and listening to the music you are creating is an art. Together we will work on tone, breath and flow. These are some of the important skills needed to play music that is sacred for you and the audience.
Psalms of David
From daily prayer to times of great need, the Psalms are an important part of Jewish worship and prayer. Sunita will guide you through several Psalms set to Jewish melodies focusing on style. Feel confident playing Jewish music and learn some melodies that can be played for ecumenical services and in retirement communities and hospice.
Playing from the Heart
Sharing music that truly touches people usually comes more from your heart than your fingers. Phrasing, feeling comfortable while you play and listening to the music you are creating is an art. Together we will work on tone, breath and flow. These are some of the important skills needed to play music that is sacred for you and the audience.
Select video workshops from the 2021 online conference
Mary Stevens
Using Modal Scales in Improvisation and Musical Expression
This session will introduce each of the most common modal scales, explain how to find them and how to use them to expand your musical expression, all without changing key signatures, which means no lever or pedal changes! Have your instrument handy since you will have the opportunity to improvise in each mode as the instructor plays a simple accompaniment.
Modes and Accompaniment Styles for Therapeutic Music
This session will explore using different accompaniment patterns and use of modal scales
to enhance expression. The instructor will demonstrate each accompaniment style and
mode and give examples of where the style/mode could be used for personal self-care or
in a professional bedside therapeutic music application.
Ellie Choate
Crown of Glory
Features distinctive arrangements for solo harp and harp with strings and winds: beloved melodies that will bring you home in your heart, home to your faith, and inspiration.
Greg Buchanan
With God’s Grace and for His Glory
Greg’s innovative style draws the listener into the very presence of our Lord, from tender worship to foot tapping, hand clapping, jazz-styled praise. His love for the Lord and appreciation of his deliverance bless him with a genuine love for others that is expressed powerfully through his ministry.
Dr. Diane White-Clayton
Spirituals
Diane White Clayton arranged the Spiritual, “Oh Lord, What a Morning” especially for the Harp in Worship Conference. Hear her amazing voice and compositional style accompanied by Bonnie Mohr on harp. Dr. Dee’s compositions and performances demonstrate a mélange of the power of gospel music, the technique of classical music and the colors of jazz. She speaks about the African-American tradition of Spirituals and the lasting presence they have in the church today.
Vicki Garcia
Morning Devotional
Vicki Garcia presents a calming and inspirational morning devotion and worship time. Vicki's deep faith, spiritual insight, and music will bless your soul.
Bonus:
Special video messages from our wonderful 2023 conference exhibitors and vendors, as well as a welcome video from Greg Buchanan!
Using Modal Scales in Improvisation and Musical Expression
This session will introduce each of the most common modal scales, explain how to find them and how to use them to expand your musical expression, all without changing key signatures, which means no lever or pedal changes! Have your instrument handy since you will have the opportunity to improvise in each mode as the instructor plays a simple accompaniment.
Modes and Accompaniment Styles for Therapeutic Music
This session will explore using different accompaniment patterns and use of modal scales
to enhance expression. The instructor will demonstrate each accompaniment style and
mode and give examples of where the style/mode could be used for personal self-care or
in a professional bedside therapeutic music application.
Ellie Choate
Crown of Glory
Features distinctive arrangements for solo harp and harp with strings and winds: beloved melodies that will bring you home in your heart, home to your faith, and inspiration.
Greg Buchanan
With God’s Grace and for His Glory
Greg’s innovative style draws the listener into the very presence of our Lord, from tender worship to foot tapping, hand clapping, jazz-styled praise. His love for the Lord and appreciation of his deliverance bless him with a genuine love for others that is expressed powerfully through his ministry.
Dr. Diane White-Clayton
Spirituals
Diane White Clayton arranged the Spiritual, “Oh Lord, What a Morning” especially for the Harp in Worship Conference. Hear her amazing voice and compositional style accompanied by Bonnie Mohr on harp. Dr. Dee’s compositions and performances demonstrate a mélange of the power of gospel music, the technique of classical music and the colors of jazz. She speaks about the African-American tradition of Spirituals and the lasting presence they have in the church today.
Vicki Garcia
Morning Devotional
Vicki Garcia presents a calming and inspirational morning devotion and worship time. Vicki's deep faith, spiritual insight, and music will bless your soul.
Bonus:
Special video messages from our wonderful 2023 conference exhibitors and vendors, as well as a welcome video from Greg Buchanan!