Karen McGarrett

Karen has been playing the harp for over 30 years, and began her studies as a classically trained pedal harpist. She since has included the lever harp, also known as “Celtic” or “Folk” harp, the lap harp, and the historical wire strung harp. She is currently teaching private lessons and playing weddings, receptions, and other special events.

In addition to teaching and performing, she worked at Melody’s Traditional Harp Shoppe, the only full harp store in the southern half of the United States. As a result, she is quite familiar with all types of harps and styles of playing. Karen’s repertoire nowdays is very eclectic, but centers mostly on classical and Celtic styles of music, and also includes show tunes and popular music, along with a bit of country and Latin music.

She is the founder and current President of the Pineywoods Harpers chapter of the ISFHC, as well as the 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.