The FNQ Harp Connection Retreat is supported by a Tablelands Regional Council Community Grant Program.
Join Us!
Join us for our second annual harp retreat in the beautiful Atherton Tablelands this 28 - 30 October 2022. It will be bursting with creativity, nature, great food, great people, and most of all great music!
This weekend is perfect for all ages and abilities from those who have never played to professionals. So, get ready for a wonderful weekend of developing and enhancing your skills with our tutors while relaxing in the peaceful rainforest.
We’d love to see you there.
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The Program
Did you know that we have fabulous harpists here in Far North Queensland? Our harp tutors draw from a wealth of experience to share a relaxed, rounded approach. The program is designed to include all levels from beginner to advanced. You’ll learn aspects of folk, jazz & blues, improvisation, classical, meditation music and hand techniques. The variety will help you develop your own personal style.
Meet the Tutors
Hannah Burnett
Hannah Burnett is a passionate young player who has composed a number of pieces for harp. A dedicated student and explorer of all things harp, she loves to share whatever she finds. Hannah loves to play for people, including at school events, and Cairns hospital.
Loni Maree Fitzpatrick
Loni Fitzpatrick’s vibrant approach to music is refreshing. One of Australia’s best creative harpists, Loni brings many worlds together, experimental and classical, trip hop and Joni Mitchell.
Loni recently featured as a soloist for the Shin-Rin Yoku concerts in Sydney, and art performances in Regional Queensland. Loni used to be based in Brisbane where she studied at the Conservatory of Music and played for the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and was a busy freelance harpist. Now based in Mossman, Loni is in demand as a local harpist and singer. We are lucky to have her as a member of our FNQ community.
Naomi Jean
Naomi Jean has written for harpists, directed harpists, borrowed harps, and finally bought her own harp in 2021. Drawing upon her experiences as a multi-instrumentalist, percussionist, vocalist, composer and bandleader, Naomi applies rhythmic and composition techniques to exploring the harp anew.
In her workshop we will explore ways to develop independence skills, familiarise our hands with new material, and improvise through pattern play. Naomi introduces adaptive methods that can benefit any playing level or style.
Katherine Knott
Katherine will share some music from her Scottish roots, teaching us some folk songs and melodies. She learnt to play the harp in France and continued to play during her medical studies in the UK, before relocating to Townsville to work at the local hospital. Kat plays a range of classical, contemporary and more modern music. Playing the harp continues to be her passion in her time off and one she enjoys sharing with those around her.
Natalia Mann
Natalia Mann is a harpist and composer whose work centres around the idea that all the world is vibration. She specialises in music in its natural form, revealing the language of universal sound.
Natalia’s Tree Resonance workshops share the art of deep listening as a way to uncover the magic of the world we live in. We can hear & connect with the Earth, finding both music and healing.
Natalia has played around the world in just about every situation you can think of, from orchestras, to pop, traditional music and the avant garde. She enjoys her harp teaching practice in Cairns and plays therapeutic music at Cairns Hospital.
Joy Zahner
Joy Zahner leads the Malanda Happy Harpers group and teaches throughout the Cairns area. She is a recovering classical harpist who has embraced more adventurous pathways, inspired by Deborah Henson Conant.
This year’s theme - “Connection”
Quinola Lakes Camping is situated on 500 acres of lush green pastures and crops in the centre of the Atherton Tablelands, on the edge of a lake surrounded by pine trees, a beautiful relaxing environment.
Distance and direction from Cairns: 75 minutes south west of Cairns. 1 hour west of Innisfail on the Atherton Tablelands. 7km on Atherton side of Malanda. 16km from Atherton. Malanda to Quinola map. Disabled Access: Toilet, shower, most areas accessible. First Aid is limited but available. Ambulance 7 min to Malanda.
Quinola Lakes
You’ll be staying in comfortable shared cabins, or bring a tent and camp if you prefer.
Your harp will stay in a large carpeted hall where most of the workshops will be held, and which is secured overnight.
Temperatures on the Tablelands are slightly cooler than on the coast, so bring something warm to wear for the evenings and mornings. Afternoons are usually sunny and warm.
Organic Food
Be nourished by Love-Lee’s hand prepared organic whole food cooking, with fresh produce and meats from local area farmers. The Tablelands boasts some of the best fare in the country. We appreciate that what you eat is important, and we’ve gone out of our way to provide delicious menu options to suit all tastes - gluten free, dairy free, vegan, egg-free, nut-free, sugar-free and care-free. :)
FAQs
Do I need to bring a harp? We ask that you bring your own harp, tuner, music stool and stand if you have them. Limited floor and lap harps are available for guests travelling by air or for those who don't own an instrument, kindly lended by other players.
I'm interested in the harp but never touched one, and am not sure if I want to commit yet. Is this suitable for me? We'll always be returning to the basics of harping, so you'll get an overview that will help you make a strong start and an educated decision. We also have harps available to borrow if you don't have one.
Can I come but just watch and listen? Yes you may. We will have small harps available to borrow. But if this is your idea of a relaxing weekend - simply being, surrounded by harp music in a beautiful environment with… you’re welcome :)
I have a hobby harp but I don't play much, would it be worth it for me to come? One of the best ways to reignite your passion for the harp is to get involved in a community. The FNQHC is dedicated to nurturing a healthy and fun harp community and everyone is welcome!
I've only just started taking lessons, is it too early for something like this? We know there are a lot of beginner harpists and we especially design our workshops around boosting your essential foundations.
I'm already a skilled harpist, am I too advanced for this event? We have harpists of all levels in our community, and the sharing is what makes it so much fun.
I'm a harp teacher myself, how will this be useful for me? Learning from other teachers and colleagues is powerful, and so is learning from beginners. It's always useful to observe and share techniques with other teachers to inform your own practice. It’s a fun event to share with your students, and a fantastic way to get them inspired as they listen to other players.
Can I bring alcohol? The retreat venue is a smoking and alcohol free zone.
What are the Covid guidelines? Our priority is to ensure a fun and safe weekend for all. There are no covid vaccination requirements for this event, but we respectfully ask that should you have symptoms or known covid not to attend.
What do I need to bring? You will need to bring your own linen. We ask that you bring your own harp, tuner, music stool and stand if you have them. Bring something warm for the evenings. The retreat is being held at Quinola Lakes near Malanda on the Atherton Tablelands and will be fully catered. There is a large hall which will be used for workshops and a kitchen which we have full use of, for the weekend.
Our Story
The FNQ Harp Connection is a local community group who come together to nurture the harp community and love of harp playing in Far North Queensland.
We're dabblers and dreamers, students and teachers, amateurs and artists who like to get together with our harps and learn new things.
We’re excited to create our second retreat for you. Sharing the journey and inspiring each other is a big part of healthy music making.
Plus, of course, we live in one of the most beautiful parts of the world....! <3
Registration
FNQ Harp Connection Retreat Friday 28 - 30 October 2022
We encourage you to attend the whole retreat from Friday to Sunday. Alternatively, you can attend as many half day sessions as you can.
Fees: Full Retreat $320 or $80 per half day.
Full payment for the retreat is required by Friday 21/10/2022 and if you haven't yet paid a deposit ($80), then please do so to secure a place.
Refunds and cancellations will be assessed case by case.
If you have any inquiries, harpconnection@gmail.com. For queries phone Natalia 0475-507-451 or Loni 0419-610-775.
To register, fill in the form below and pay your deposit of $80 or full fee.
The full amount is to be paid by Friday 21 October 2022.
Please pay by direct deposit to:
FNQ Harp Connection Inc. BSB: 814282 Account: 50963890
Be sure to include your name and the letters HR22 as a reference when making this deposit.