Harps for Alison Vardy - Solo Celtic Harpist

Alison's Harps

For the Sheer Joy of It!

In 1993 Alison built her first performance instrument under Andy Rigby's tutelage at his workshop in Victoria, Australia. It is a 36 string Paraguayan style harp with a tone that is rich and warm, well suited to Alison's sensitive arrangements and expressive playing.

In 1983 Alison and I were "tramping" (NZ hiking word) on a volcanic peak on the North Island of New Zealand where we met this bearded character with his backpack stuffed with musical instruments. As it turned out this gent, Andy Rigby, hosted us for a number weeks at his home in Melbourne, Australia later that year.

It turned out that Andy was a "muso" of the first order who played almost any stringed, wind or percussion instrument very, very well. His latest acquisition was a Celtic harp and Alison was smitten just as he was with this instrument as she continuously experimented with this harp in his front room.

After emigrating to NZ Alison acquired her first harp, a 30 string Celtic made by Kim Webby (see below).

In 1992 Alison first saw and played a Paraguayan harp for the first time which by then Australian professional harper and harp luthier Andy performed on during his NZ tour. Andy then played with Australia's foremost harp trio, "Moving Harps". Later that year Alison constructed her Paraguayan harp at one of Andy's workshops in Australia. (see below)

In 1996 Andy reappeared with pictures of a double strung harp that he had recently built back in Australia, and guess what? Double strung harps are now on the shopping list! And thanks to the generosity of John Westling of Sandpiper Harps, Alison has been able to polish her skills on one of his double strung harps for a year on loan.

Andy is still lurking in the background, he is talking renaissance harps now!

Stephen Vardy

Alison also plays on a number of other harps including a black 33 string Celtic lever harp in the middle, above made by Walter Bresch of British Columbia which has great volume and tone throughout. The clarity of its "voice" makes this a great recording instrument.

Alison most recent harp is a 36 string Nova Celtic lever harp from John Westling of Oregon which is the most exciting harp yet! Having literally test played hundreds of lever harps in NZ, Australia, Canada and the US - this is it! A gorgeous performance lever harp with rich deep notes and a bright sparkle that plays with effortless ease. It literally has a bass sound to die for ! The Nova is the large harp below on the left.

Alison also has a 30 string gut strung Celtic blade harp crafted by Kim Webby of Whangarei, NZ. This harp has a more traditional soft Celtic sound. This harp along with Alison"s Paraguayan harp are featured on the CD "Harping On". Kim now makes extraordinarily beautiful, professional concert harps which he sells world wide.