Tiffany Schaefer: growing a Celtic Music Community

My guest today is harpist Tiffany Schaefer. Tiffany is a harp teacher and performer based in Ohio. During our chat we discussed the Ohio Scottish Arts School, or OSAS for short, and how, “music is bringing people together and [how] it is ageless that way.” Tiffany grew up in a musical family and started playing the harp in 2007. Her involvement in OSAS and The Scottish Harp Society of America (SHSA) brought her into the world of Scottish traditional music.The first harp album she found in her local library was by Sue Richards and she became inspired by Sue’s playing. You could imagine Tiffany’s surprise when Sue was one of her adjudicators at her first OSAS’s harp competition! We talk about many of the amazing harpists who have inspired her, many of whom have been interviewed on this podcast folks like: Rachel Hair, Corrina Hewat, Kim Robertson and more...make sure to check out those episodes in our archives.On competition: Although it can be nerve wracking, “It’s a great way to work toward something and get some feedback from people who know what they are talking about.”Tiffany is passionate about creating community, something that we here at HarpSong™️ and Moon Over the Trees are as well. Tiffany’s hope for her free FB group, “Mastering Celtic Music”, is that it will, “grow into a hub for Celtic music and all different kinds of instrumentalists...not just harpists.” You can also check out her Patreon page for classes, and arrangements for the harp. On performing:Tiffany performs as a soloist and accompanies her own singing and storytelling. Right now she has two ensembles, one plays Renaissance and Baroque repertoire and the other is an Irish Traditional group called, Creggane. Check out her youtube page for more information. LINKSTiffanyharpandsong.comYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOUqbcWka4EgODStHBzWBUgMastering Celtic Music FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/347044529772564Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tiffanyharpandsongOhio Scottish Arts School (OSAS): https://ohioscottishartsschool.com/The Scottish Harp Society of America (SHSA): https://www.shsa.org/Sue Richards: https://www.suerichards.net/The first harp album she found in her local library was by Sue Richards and she became inspired by Sue’s playing.  You could imagine Tiffany’s surprise when Sue was one of her adjudicators at her first OSAS’s harp competition! We talk about many of the amazing harpists who have inspired her, many of whom have been interviewed on this podcast folks like: Rachel Hair, Corrina Hewat, Kim Robertson and more...make sure to check out those episodes in our archives.On Competition: Although it can be nerve wracking, “It’s a great way to work toward something and get some feedback from people who know what they are talking about.”Celtic Music Community:Tiffany is passionate about creating community, something that we here at HarpSong™️ and Moon Over the Trees Music and Theatre Productions® are as well.  Tiffany’s hope for her free FB group, “Mastering Celtic Music”, is that it will, “grow into a hub for Celtic music and all different kinds of instrumentalists...not just harpists.”  You can also check out her Patreon page for classes, and arrangements for the harp.  On Performing:Tiffany performs as a soloist and accompanies her own singing and storytelling.  Right now she has two ensembles, one plays Renaissance and Baroque repertoire and the other is an Irish Traditional group called, Creggane.  Check out her youtube page for more information. LINKSTiffany’s Website: Tiffanyharpandsong.comYoutube: Mastering Celtic Music FBPatreon: www.patreon.com/tiffanyharpandsongOhio Scottish Arts School (OSAS): ohioscottishartsschool.comThe Scottish Harp Society of America (SHSA):www.shsa.orgSue Richards: www.suerichards.net5 Pointe Cafe in Cleveland, Ohio (supporter of local musicians): www.5pointscafe.com