While harpist, Christine Grace Magnussen, of Bellingham, Wash. was presenting to a large group at a motorcoach conference in Oregon, she announced her wish to continue their connection via video. She was thrilled to come home and discover it could be possible via Skype.

This opened up global possibilities for people to connect with her and this heart-opening instrument. Currently, Christine is connected with harp students in much of the US as well as the UK and Portugal.

"Playing the harp helps inspire peace and well-being in my students. Skype makes it possible to reach people who cannot access local harp teachers, or who have challenges that make it difficult to travel outside their homes," said Christine. "With Skype video calls, I can help anyone worldwide not only learn how to play the harp, but also suggest harps that suit them -- all from the comfort of their own home."

For this interview, she squeezed me in between lessons with students in England and Pennsylvania.

How's the sound quality? Christine said: "The sound quality is very good! I can hear the resonance of the harp and the student's expression. With my headset mic, students can hear up close the strings plucked from my harp. We can both adjust sound to hear well and zoom in for close-ups on finger position. I just finished a Skype lesson with a woman who lugged her desktop computer into an RV park laundry room for her Skype harp lesson. We had a great lesson while interested onlookers folded their laundry."

Christine explains that the sound of the harp helps soothe and relax patients undergoing chemotherapy and other treatments. "I will begin supporting one of my students with Skype harp as she recovers from hip surgery, and another who is a cancer patient. This would not be possible without the Skype technology! My previous work was as a therapeutic harpist in cancer centers, hospitals and hospice, and the music I recorded was in tribute to these patients," she said.

She added that harp playing is therapeutic for the harper as well: "The instrument brings a gentle distraction from the stresses of life, and creates an immediate satisfying sound that is physical and emotionally calming. Harp therapy also extends to those who hear the harper play. I guide those who wish to learn more about the field of harp therapy in specific types of music, mentor them on how to interact with patients, and customize each lesson to each person based on their goals, strengths, challenges, musical background and favorite genres."

Christine noted: "Learning the harp is not about perfecting an instrument, but rather accessing those parts of ourselves that elicit joy, express feeling and release tension. I can see the joy people have on their faces when they hear and touch the harp. It's a very satisfying experience and I enjoy making the personal connection virtually through Skype video calls."

Check out Christine online at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtzkfaeGilY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFcB2On5NLM

You can listen to her music and read more at: www.HarpSpirit.com or www.peacecalm.com