I love teaching students how to play the harp!
The harp is a beautiful, fascinating, and rewarding instrument to play. Beginning students usually enjoy even the earliest learning stages; after all it is pretty difficult to make a a harp sound bad! Students are welcome to participate in private harp lessons, harp ensemble, and group class. I am accepting new students at Texas Christian University both at the collegiate and pre-college levels. I also teach students of all ages at my studio in Arlington, TX and online. Prospective new students are encouraged to fill out this form and read more about my studio policies. You are also welcome to contact me for more information about admission to my studio.
Teaching PhilosophyThere is nothing difficult - only new things, unaccustomed things. It is never too soon or too late to learn to play an instrument you love. Though some of my students have won competitions or become professional musicians, my ultimate goal in teaching the harp is to help students develop compassionate hearts and disciplined minds through the study of music.
I am a registered Suzuki harp teacher, and I draw from many teaching philosophies and scientific studies to tailor a unique approach that suits the individual needs of each student. All students study standard harp repertoire, music theory, note reading, and musicianship in their individual lessons. Success is different for each student, and I hope all students learn to balance healthy striving for excellence with enjoying the process of making music. |
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Experience & Background
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Kela has been teaching both pedal and lever harp to students of all ages since 1998, and currently serves on the faculty at Texas Christian University. In 2009 she began offering harp lessons online via video conferencing to students who could not travel to her studio in person. Kela's students range in age from the very young, to the young at heart. She understands that everyone learns differently and at their own pace. In 2014 Kela established the harp program at Buffalo Suzuki Strings in New York, where she taught individual harp lessons, group classes, music theory, and Suzuki Early Childhood Education until 2018. She also previously held positions in Texas as a harp faculty member at Temple College, Round Rock ISD, and the University of Houston Moores School of Music Preparatory and Continuing Studies Program. In the summers she has taught at the UT Longhorn Music Camp in Texas, the BSS Summer Harp Workshop in New York, and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan. She is thrilled to be back in her hometown of Arlington, TX and accepting new students.
"In teaching the harp, I pass on the knowledge given to me by many wonderful harpists including: Nancy Hurrell, Gayle Barrington, and Paula Page. I was also honored to briefly study with one of Salzedo's pupils, Alice Chalifoux. My experiences as a very young Suzuki piano student with Joan Gregory, and later my training as an adult with Suzuki harp teacher trainer Delaine Leonard, have given me the experience and skills to nurture the development of very young musicians. All of these amazing women inspired my love of teaching, and I owe my pedagogy knowledge to them." |
Studio Graduates & Accolades
Many of Kela's students go on to study at some of the best colleges and universities in the nation. Former students have received or are currently pursing degrees at: Boston University School of Medicine, the Catholic University of America, Cornell University, Dartmouth, Southwestern University, Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Tulsa, and Vanderbilt University. A few of her harp studio alumni have gone on to pursue music as a career majoring in: Music Education at Baylor University, Music Therapy at Sam Houston State University, and Harp Performance at the University of North Texas and the University of Arizona.
Some students choose to participate in solo competitions at the regional, state, and national level. Kela's students have been finalists in the Houston Symphony League Concerto Competition, prize winners in the Midwest Harp Festival Competition, and have won positions in the Texas Music Educators Association All-State Bands and Orchestras.
Some students choose to participate in solo competitions at the regional, state, and national level. Kela's students have been finalists in the Houston Symphony League Concerto Competition, prize winners in the Midwest Harp Festival Competition, and have won positions in the Texas Music Educators Association All-State Bands and Orchestras.