As we reach the end of the year, Heather and Angela sit down for an unscripted, in-person Harpy Chat and reflect honestly on what this year has looked like. Together, they explore what it takes to stay connected to your own harping when work, teaching, and life feel full.

In this episode:

• A real-life round-up of the highs (and challenges) of the past year

• Why personal harping can get harder when you are teaching and creating all day

• How morning harp time, motivation, and guilt show up differently for different people

• Setting realistic hopes and goals for the year ahead, and saying them out loud

• Accountability ideas, including lessons, ensembles, and personal creative projects

If you have been feeling pulled in a hundred directions, this chat will help you pause, reflect, and reconnect with what you want from your harping going into the new year.

Host: Heather Downie - Harpist, Principal Scottish Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and founder of How To Harp

Guest: Angela Boraston - Harp Tutor at How To Harp

Enjoying the show? New episodes weekly.

Follow/subscribe and share with a harp friend.

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

#HowToHarp #HowToHarpPodcast #HeatherDownieHarpist #HarpPractice #HarpGoals

Learning an instrument is about so much more than notes and technique. In this episode, Heather sits down with renowned teaching artist, writer and educator Eric Booth to explore how understanding learning, teaching and creativity can transform your harping and your life.

In this episode:

• Eric shares his journey from Broadway actor to pioneering teaching artist

• What a “teaching artist” is and why this mindset matters for every musician

• How teaching or explaining something deepens your own learning and musicianship

• Why the learning environment and community around you are as important as the content

• Self determined learning, intrinsic motivation and staying connected to joy in your practice

• Practical ideas for giving yourself meaningful feedback as an adult learner

• The “law of 80 percent” and what it means for how you show up as a musician and sharer of music

Host: Heather Downie – Harpist, Principal Scottish Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and founder of How To Harp

Guest: Eric Booth – Teaching artist, author of Making Change: Teaching Artists and Their Role in Shaping a Better World, and international leader in arts education

Enjoying the show? New episodes weekly.

Follow or subscribe and share with a harp friend.

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

#HowToHarp #HowToHarpPodcast #HeatherDownieHarpist #TeachingArtist #ArtsEducation

Keeping a regular harp practice routine can feel challenging, especially when life gets full and unpredictable. In this solo episode Heather shares honest, practical advice to help you stay connected to your harp in simple and sustainable ways.

In this episode:

• Why short, focused sessions can be more effective than long ones

• How to use time blocking to make practice actually happen

• Ways to make your harp practice space easier, faster and more inviting

• The power of keeping things visual so your harp stays front of mind

• How an accountability partner can transform your consistency

These tools can help you build momentum, reduce guilt, and enjoy your harp practice even during busy seasons.

Host: Heather Downie - Harpist, Principal Scottish Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and founder of How To Harp

Enjoying the show? New episodes weekly.

Follow, subscribe, and share with a harp friend.

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

#HowToHarp #HowToHarpPodcast #HeatherDownieHarpist #HarpPractice #PracticeMotivation