I was so happy to get to reconnect with Christina Tourin, the founder and director of the International Harp Therapy Program, at a conference in Tampa last month. Tina and I met 20 years ago, shortly after she first had the idea of starting the harp therapy program. She told me about the vision that came to her while she was meditating at a magical rock formation in Scotland. She brought one of her first groups of students to do a residency in Gainesville, Florida, where I was managing the musical side of the Arts in Medicine program at Shands Hospital/UF Health. Now she has students and teachers all over the world, hosting educational modules everywhere from Ireland to Australia!

The conference in Tampa was one of these modules, and I was honored to present to this creative group of harpists, students and graduates, from all over. Later, I got to spend about an hour with Tina, while she sat at the harp. The beautiful tones of the strings of her harp will resonate the strings of your heart. You’ll love hearing her play live, as well as the gorgeous tunes from her CD “Inspirations from Iona.” You’ll also hear some amazing stories from her work in Brazil, the U.K. and the U.S.; and a fascinating conversation we had about the impact of music on people with Alzheimer’s and dementia. You can find all her music and learn more about IHTP at www.emeraldharp.com.