About RoJean

Why the harp?

In the beginning

She didn’t grow up playing the harp. It wasn’t even her lifelong dream to learn. An intriguing midlife encounter with a harp at a renaissance festival led to her find a folk harp of her own. That first harp was a 22-string lap harp - a reward to herself for completing degree work after she became a grandmother. She only intended to enjoy that harp for herself and with her family.

A musician most of her life, RoJean studied piano and flute privately during her early years and sang in school and church groups. She continued being involved in music in her adult years, singing and performing in small groups and church choirs, accompanying for music festivals, musical stage productions, and various community groups.

Along the way

When the harp came into her life at the age of 49, all of her previous experiences with music somehow came together in this new instrument. Before long, RoJean knew she needed a larger harp with more strings to allow her to play a fuller repertoire.

Playing the harp became a new career focus, as she began to experience the calming effect harp music had for herself and for folks in her audiences.

Entering therapeutic work

Deciding she wanted to learn much more about the therapeutic work with the harp, she chose one of the accredited programs for her course work - the Music for Healing and Transition Program (MHTP). The required internship she was able to complete in the Salina (KS) Regional Health Center’s skilled care nursing department.

As a Certified Music Practitioner (CMP), RoJean now provides therapeutic music for clients in the Salina area, and with Hospice of Salina.

Teaching the harp

The Salina community has a unique opportunity called CLASS – Community Learning and Skill Sharing – where residents can learn a wide variety of new skills from other community members. Through this program, RoJean began teaching groups of adults wanting to learn to play the harp. She continues to teach through CLASS as well as privately.

Playing with others

RoJean directs a group that meets monthly for a harp circle in Salina. The circle is an informal gathering that provides mutual encouragement and support, discovery of new harp music, and ensemble playing experience.

Some of the members also perform for local events that have included benefit concerts, the Smoky Hill River Festival, McPherson Scottish Festival, and other church and community events.

Occasionally, you'll find RoJean's harp one of the instruments in a variety of local ensembles.

Arranging and composing

Her experiences in teaching, performing, and as a therapeutic musician have led into arranging and composing music for the harp, and RoJean has recorded some of those compositions. Her CDs and printed books and sheet music are available on this site. Downloadable digital scores can found in the eMusic section. In addition, several harp music retailers offer her print publications.

Assistance for new challenges

Horizons Developing Artist grants through the Salina Arts and Humanities Commission have jump-started new opportunities: the first grant allowed her to purchase music notation software to publish her compositions and buy another small harp.

Later, RoJean was granted a weekend in Canada with Lynne Reid, learning how to teach the harp “by ear,” which led to a trip to Ireland for a week of further study with Janet Harbison, founder and director of the Belfast Harp Orchestra.

Subsequent grants enabled RoJean to set up a master class and a local workshop with New York City harpist and teacher Ray Pool, and later, to publish her compositions as digital downloads.

Connecting with her audience

She finds joy in sharing the harp in local and area events – weddings, festivals, worship services, retreats and workshops. Perhaps she’ll meet you there!