About the Artist Karen McGarrett has been playing the harp for over twenty-two years, and began her studies as a classically trained pedal harpist. She since has included the lever harp, also known as the "Celtic" or "Folk" harp, the lap harp, and the historical wire strung harp. She is currently teaching harp and playing weddings, receptions, and other special events. In 1997 Karen recorded the CD "Banish Misfortune" with the Celtic group Harper's Din, which has received outstanding reviews in several publications, including The Folk Harp Journal which says "… a treat from the moment you open the package… ". In addition to teaching and performing, she has worked at Melody's Traditional Harp Shop, the only full-service harp store in the southern half of the United States. Consequently, she is quite familiar with all types of harps & styles of playing. Karen's repertoire nowadays is very eclectic, but centers mostly on Classical & Celtic styles of music, and also includes show tunes and popular music, and just a splash of Country & Latin music. Karen has recently moved to Nacogdoches, TX and has opened a new studio location where she teaches private and group harp lessons, and offers harps for rent. She is currently the Editor in Chief of the Folk Harp Journal, the professional Joural of the Internation Society of Folk Harpers and Craftsmen. Before moving to East Texas, Karen was on staff at Albright Middle School as the director of their harp orchestra. In addition to acting as an adjudicator for UIL High School All-State Orchestra Harp Auditions and the Scottish Harp Competition at the Texas Scottish Festival in Arlington, she has been the recipient of several awards, including first place in the Professional division of the Gulf Coast Harpers Celtic Harp Competition. She is a member of the American Harp Society (AHS), the International Society of Folk Harpers and Craftsmen (ISFHC), and the Gulf Coast Harpers. She is the founder and current President of the Pineywoods Harpers chapter of the ISFHC, as well as past Editor-in-Chief of the award winning Kilt & Harp Magazine - the Journal of the Scottish Harp Society of America (SHSA), of which she is also a member. Mrs. McGarrett has performed at many well-known events such as the Texas Renaissance Festival and Dickens on the Strand in Galveston, the North Texas Irish Festival in Dallas, as well as performing in concert at the 1998 International Folk Harp Conference. In addition to playing the harp, Karen also enjoys playing the banjo, piano, mountain dulcimer, bowed psaltery, and Irish tin whistles - but just for fun! She currently lives northeast of Nacogdoches, Texas with her husband Walt, who is a farrier (horseshoer), and their "kids" - four cats, three dogs, several chickens, and a duck. Pictures on Right, from top to bottom: Me, Cover of the Folk Harp Journal, Milo, Winkie, Bunny, Bridgette. Pictures on Left, from top to bottom: My CD cover, Gypsy, Luke, Pearl, Lucy (Lucy passed away this Christmas, and is greatly missed.)

Copyright © 2007 Karen McGarrett.