Harp lessons: Portia offers harp lessons in the Bay Area for all ages, beginners through intermediate. Portia teaches harp playing technique and how to play in a relaxed way. She teaches aurally and with sheet music, and offers instruction on traditional music from around the world -- Latin, Celtic, African, Indian, Middle Eastern -- as well as Classical and original music. Portia studied harp with Diana Stork for nine years, and has furthered her musical education through master classes with harpists such as Cheryl Ann Fulton, Carlos Reyes, Ann Heymann and by attending annual International Harp Conferences. Educational outreach: Portia Diwa and Diana Stork offer "History of the Harp" and "History of the Latin Harp" educational outreach program for school-age children, and have brought this to places such as the Brandon School in Santa Barbara and the San Francisco Waldorf School. "Mission Harp Ensemble" and the "Bahia Vista Harp Ensemble" Portia Diwa is the director of the "Mission Harp Ensemble" and the "Bahia Vista Harp Ensemble," both of which are sponsored by Multi-Cultural Music Fellowship. Mission Harp Ensemble reaches out to children in the San Francisco Mission district who would like to learn to play Latin Music on small harps. Classes are held at the Mission Neighborhood Health Center, Excelsior Clinic. Bahia Vista Harp Ensemble brings harp music to children who have never touched an instrument before, and who live below the poverty-line. Classes are held afterschool at the Bahia Vista Elementary School in San Rafael. If you are interested in being an assistant for one of the ensembles, or for more information, please contact Portia. |