Since Mother's Day is May 8th here in the USA, I'd like to honor my wonderful mother, Marjorie Snyder, in this newsletter. She is the reason why I started playing the harp. This photo was taken in 1978 when she was 64.

Our family had season tickets to the local symphony when I was growing up. My sister Sheryl and I were always fascinated by the harp. Mother often said, "One of you should learn to play the harp." But nothing was ever done to make this happen.

In January 1969, near the end of my first semester at the University of Redlands, I walked into the university's harp room. I asked Marjorie Call, the harp professor, if I could take lessons, and she said, "Yes!" Since my father was paying the bills, I had to tell him about the additional charge for the classes, but we kept the harp lessons a secret from my mother.

My parents came to visit a few months later because Sheryl and I were singing in a choir concert. My mother described the day in a letter she wrote to my aunt.

Twenty years later, I surprised my mother by giving her a harp for her 75th birthday. Unfortunately, arthritis in her hands made it hard for her to play, but she still enjoyed it. I am grateful that I was by her side when she peacefully passed away in 2009 at the age of 94.

The main reason I started taking harp lessons was to surprise my mother. I never expected to play the harp after I left college. But, obviously, I did. And, as they say -- the rest is history.

Thank you, Mother, for always being there for me and being my biggest supporter. I miss you and love you with all my heart. Happy Mother's Day!

-- Sylvia

I often mention in these newsletters that I love the Harp Column magazine. One of the excellent sections of their website is the Harp Column Academy (HCA), "an online learning site where you can watch lessons on repertoire and technique taught by master teachers who have taught some of the best harpists in the world."

I'm proud to announce that I will be a part of the Harp Column Academy's newest feature: "Ask Me Anything." on June 15th.

Here's how the Harp Column describes this program.

We’re asking top harpists to join us each month on Zoom to answer your questions about any harp-related topic! Submit questions in advance and tune in live, or watch later. Anyone can ask a question, but you’ll need to be a member of Harp Column Academy to listen on Zoom or watch replays.

Although the Harp Column magazine produces the Harp Academy, it requires a separate membership. So, even if you subscribe to the magazine, you need to join the Academy to participate in their classes or events.

Once you join, you'll be able to watch replays of previous "Ask Me Anything" sessions by Grainne Hambly, Judy Loman, Anneleen Lenaerts, and Amanda Whiting.

Upcoming sessions later this year will include Elzbieta Szmyt, Sivan Magen, Steve Moss, Elizabeth Hainen, Edie Elkan, Grace Browning, Emily Levin, and Katherine Siochi.

I hope you can join me on June 15th. Don't forget to submit your questions by clicking the "Ask Sylvia" box below my name on the Ask Me Anything page.

Here are some of the PDFs that I've added to harpcenter.com this past month.

The Bridges of Paris - 10 original compositions inspired by Parisian bridges

I have also added thirty PDFs by Angi Bemiss this month!

In honor of Mother's Day, this month's sale features songs with the word "Mother" in the title.

To get the 15% discount, enter the code word Mother in the "Enter Promo Code" box on your shopping cart page and click "Enter Code" by May 31, 2022. See the "How to get the 15% discount" section at the bottom of this newsletter for more information.

15% off select sale items when you use the code word Mother

Our newsletter promo codes are redeemable online and are only valid for the products listed above in the monthly sale section. They are not valid for phone or email orders. This month's code word is Mother.

Here's how to get your newsletter discount at harpcenter.com:

#2. On the page where you view the items in your cart, type this month's code word Mother in the "Enter Promo Code" box and click "Apply."

REMEMBER: You must enter this month's code word Mother in the Promo Code box and click "Apply" on your shopping cart page by May 31, 2022, to get the discount!

If you forget, or if you have trouble adding it to your order, email Sylvia immediately.