Carol Kappus
After many years of singing opera and classical music, Carol has now returned to her first love: playing the Celtic harp and singing the traditional songs of Scotland, Ireland and Wales. She specializes in the music of Scotland: traditional songs,
songs of Robert Burns and songs in Scots Gaelic. Carol goes to Scotland
frequently to study Gaelic language and song at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on the
Isle of Skye. She is the winner of many awards from the Scottish Harp Society of America and the Great Lakes Regional and the US National Scottish Mòd. She teaches and performs around the Midwest and in Scotland. She is a frequent contributor to The Folk Harp Journal and has published several books of compositions and arrangements. Check out Carol’s web page at www.carolkappus.com where you can see videos, hear recordings and purchase her books.
Josh Layne
Harpist/composer Josh Layne has been called a ‘harp genius’ and a ‘consummate musician’. He has performed extensively across Canada, the US, Europe, South America, Australia and New Zealand and has been praised for both his virtuosity and the sensitivity of his playing.
Josh has recorded 4 albums of solo harp music, including his 2013 CD “Passage: music for solo harp” which features three of his original compositions for harp. Recent projects include a revival of Bochsa’s long dormant “Concerto No. 1 in D minor” with a performance at the World Harp Congress in Wales in July 2022.
“It’s Tuesday… It’s Harp Tuesday!” Born out of a passion for teaching, Josh’s biweekly YouTube series “Harp Tuesday” launched in 2010. Harp Tuesday covers all aspects of playing the harp – from your first lesson to in-depth looks at advanced music. With 300+ episodes and over 3 million views, Harp Tuesday is an amazing resource for harpists all over the world.
Josh’s most recent YouTube project is Harpist in the Wild, a video series combining his love of music and the outdoors. More at www.harpistinthewild.com
Manuel Gamalinda
Manuel Gamalinda from HarpCare is a Certified Lyon & Healy and Salvi Technicians Guild member. He is only one of two members based in Canada, with experience maintaining and repairing harps made by local Canadian harpmakers.
Robin Grenon & Gisèle Guibord
Celtic & South American Harp Duo
***Huron Harp Fest Ensemble Leaders***
Since 1996, the duo has delighted listeners with their versatility. They developed, by exploring the world of the harp, a passion for the music of several folk traditions. Through their compositions and arrangements, they have created a unique and innovative sound all their own where the misty Celtic and sunny Paraguayan harps blend in harmony.
Both musicians started their career in classical music but gradually turned toward other styles and instruments. Fascinated by Latin music, Robin fell under the spell of the Paraguayan harp, which he studied with Paraguayan Eralio Gill (Montreal) and Cuban Alfredo Rolando Ortiz (California). Gisèle, renowned concert organist (Europe and Canada), turned to the harp in 1993, when Robin became her teacher. They soon found in each other a kindred spirit in music and in life!
Guest performers and presenters for many renowned harp festivals, they performed hundreds of concerts and have eight recordings. In 1996, Gisèle and Robin co-founded Harpissimo-Québec (ISFHC) celebrating over 30 years of existence.
