what our graduates say:
In December 2005, we asked our certification students and grads, “What’s at the heart of Bedside Harp? In other words, what in your view, is the most important part(s) of what we do at Bedside Harp?” Below are some of the responses we received from those who completed their certifications:
I believe that the following rings loud and clear for most of us who go through the Bedside Harp certification program:
1. Commitment
2. A willingness to overcome obstacles
3. Caring
4. We value people of all cultures, religions, ethnicity and age
5. We strive to do no harm and to give the best we can
6. And all of the above is played out on our harps with our minds, hearts, and hands.
The most important thing we do at Bedside Harp is first, to free the harp therapist in all of us—to relax and to provide the cradle of sound for our clients, and secondly, to use this beautiful music to encourage our clients to relax and receive the peace the music brings.
For me, the hardest thing about playing therapeutic harp is harp was actually getting the courage to DO it, and believing that what I’m doing actually makes a difference. Bedside Harp provides me with the encouragement, resources and exposure to complementary sources of healing that enables me to be brave enough to step out of the box that I’ve labeled, “healing” and to look at healing, and my playing in a different way. I know that my presence in my local hospital has opened other eyes to this too, and that is exciting.
As I put on my Bedside Harp stole in preparation for playing my harp, I am filled with a sense of the sacred. The harp music touches people in the most intimate and vulnerable places. It is like a magic carpet, transporting people to where they need to be at that moment in time. It is part of the prayer.