I saw a harp for the first time through the window of the music building at primary school. It looked so beautiful – statuesque, shimmering, mysterious – and I knew it made the music I’d hear on ABC TV’s Adventure Island and Play School. I kept learning piano, but when the school’s harp teacher asked if anyone would like to take up harp as a second study, I couldn’t resist…

Harp is as much my life, my passion, my adventure and my career. I’ve been inspired by teachers and colleagues, every audience I’ve played for, and every student I’ve had the joy to teach. I’ve travelled, taught and performed in places I didn’t know existed when I dreamt about playing the harp in Ballarat. I have performed in theatre, played with symphony orchestras, and programmed and created performance art with some of the greatest musicians I know.  

Every day is my new highlight because I get to play, teach, and listen. It’s not about huge stages or grand performances – it’s about those exquisite and tender moments of connection. I used to play background music in hotels and department stores. One day in the David Jones department store an elderly woman asked me to play something for her. I did and with tears streaming down her face she reached for my hands and said, “Thank you. I’m going to remember this moment for the rest of my life.” 

Music reveals its own mysteries and the mysteries of life. And when I play music through my harp, the mystery of those dreams I began when I danced and sang in the living room of our home in Ballarat are revealed for all to hear….