Presentation of the Harp Society The Harp Society of New Zealand has been in existence since 1986, and became an Incorporated Society in 2002. Its principal aims are to promote the harp and harp playing in New Zealand, and to support New Zealand's physically scattered harp community by organising educational events such as the Harp Festival in 2004 and local area gatherings, and to provide a forum for harpists to exchange ideas. To this end, it publishes two issues of its Journal annually, and has recently established a Web Forum. Find out more about the incorporation of the Harp Society here . Membership: 126 individual members, 15 lifetime member President: Anna Dunwoodie I have been playing the harp since I was 15 and particularly enjoy traditional music and singing with the harp - I couldn't name a favourite piece if my life depended on it - there are too many! I'm lucky- I get to spend about 20 hours a week working with harps and harpers (but unfortunately very little time playing it myself). There are so many great things about being involved with harps and I've met many great people - I've yet to meet a nasty or unpleasant harp player - though there are definitely some weird ones out there! Executive committee : Linda Braden - Treasurer I have always wanted to play the harp. Last year I got my second harp - a 34 string Aoyama which sits grandly in my lounge. The sound  moves all around my backyard in summer when all the sliding doors are open to the air.  My little dog Zen loves sitting either on my lap or beside me as I play the harp.  I particularly enjoyMarcel Granjany's music. Becky Swan - Minutes secretary I have wanted to play harp since I was 9. When I graduated university and had worked for a year I was able to buy my first harp. I took lessons in Chicago from a student of Liz Cifani and Lynne Turner, for just under a year and then had to stop playing due to a bad injury. Two years ago my husband bought me a 23 string lap harp specially built for life on a yacht by William Rees and I have been self-teaching while sailing the south pacific. The harp has been an incredible icebreaker when we approach a new pacific island village! I can't say I have a favorite piece of music, or even a favorite type of music, currently I'm spending most of my time learning Latin American pieces but I throw in a little baroque and celtic for variety. Richard Hanna Richard's playing stems from the bardic school. He first studied with Claire Hamilton in 1998 and has trained with a number of teachers in Ireland and Scotland. He is currently working on his first solo album due for release in August 2008. Raewynn Robertson I have always loved the sound of the harp but didn't think I would ever play one myself. I started playing just over 2 years ago. My daughter, Laura, had just started and I had to tune her harp. I realised that the harp was easier for me to play than other instruments I had tried - so it was logical and made perfect sense. I don't aspire to be a concert harpist, I play for me! Lyndell Wilson - Membership secretary With a background of playing the piano, I refrained from learning the harp so Amelianne could have sole pleasure in playing it.  Nearly two years ago I gave in to my personal resolve with the temptation of playing harp duets.  I purchased a most beautiful Danny Walker, Minstral harp which I absolutely love, playing most evenings for relaxation.    Amelianne Wilson I have been learning the harp for about three years.  Anna Dunwoodie teaches me at school.  I enjoy playing my harp.  My harp is called ‘Lily’.   Editor of the HSNZ newsletter Pip Ferguson We have been co-producing the NZ harp journal and newsletter for some years now and also did so previously in conjunction with Lisa Williamson.  Pip is a very amateur harpist who owns (and occasionally uses!) Webby minstrel and Harrison Melissa harps. Bruce is a classical pianist and pipe organist. We live in Hamilton and have three daughters and two grandchildren. Web designer Anne-Gaelle Ausseil I have been playing the harp for over 20 years back in my home country, France. Since moving to New Zealand in 2002, I have been playing with the Manawatu Sinfonia, in chamber music concerts, and occasionally played background music at receptions or weddings. I also designed this website.

Design and realisation: Anne-Gaelle Ausseil The Harp Society of New Zealand Incorporated.