Heather chats with learner harpist Karin, who shares her remarkable harp journey, from discovering the harp during the pandemic to rebuilding her playing after suffering a life-changing stroke just 18 months into learning.

They discuss recovery, neuroplasticity, the power of tiny daily steps, learning online, and how music, community and determination helped Karin reclaim an important part of her life.

In this episode:

• How Karin discovered the harp and fell in love with its sound

• Why she chose to learn online and eventually joined How To Harp

• The devastating impact of a stroke on her harp playing

• How neuroplasticity, repetition and determination helped her recover

• The mirror therapy techniques she used to retrain movement

• The role her family, teachers and the harp community played in her recovery

• Combining online learning with one-to-one lessons

• The importance of community, friendship and shared musical growth

• Her ongoing journey towards confident lever changes

• Why small daily steps can achieve extraordinary results

This is a deeply moving and inspiring conversation about resilience, gratitude, lifelong learning and the transformative power of music.

Host:

Heather Downie – Harpist, Principal Lever Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Founder of How To Harp

Guest:

Karin den Rooijen – Learner Harpist and How To Harp Community Leader (and so much more!!)

Learn with us:

https://www.HowToHarp.com (membership, courses, retreats)

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