The Kona Harp Ensemble has been immersing itself in Celtic and world music in anticipation of its upcoming concert, “Cherish the Child,” Saturday at Kahilu Theatre in Waimea.
The ensemble, which includes Bernice Roberto, Manuel Roberto, Irminsul, Motter Snell and Jean Pierre Thoma, takes the stage at 6 p.m. Tickets range in price from $15 to $30. Tickets will also be available at the door on the day of the show.
By combining the clear, soft note of the Celtic harp with the bold and commanding chords of two concert strung harps, the ensemble has created a trio of shimmering and ethereal sounds.
“To be a true harpist, one must be able to make people laugh with your music, cry with your music and dream with your music” said Bernice Roberto, a lever harpist and vocalist, quoting Ireland’s 15th century national composer Turlough O’Carolan. “We added a fourth: Transcend people with your music. That is the goal of our concert.”
Bernice, originally a pianist, began playing the harp 25 years ago because the East Coast group she was playing with wanted to add the sound to their music. “Every time I started to play, I couldn’t stop from tearing up,” she said.
For the Kona Harp Ensemble, she plays her massive Ana Salvi Italian concert tension lever harp and provides vocals for songs such as “Scarborough Faire” and Enya’s “Only Time.”
Bernice’s husband, Manuel, often accompanies the ensemble with his Shakuhachi flute from Japan or his bansuri piccolo flute from India.
“Each instrument has a story or mana of its own energy, a living spirit that is devoted to sound healing,” he said. “I visualize my breath as key to expanding and unlocking that magic.”
Irminsul, the ensemble’s other lever harpist, strums his music on an ebony and spruce 36-string Troubadour lV designed for both Celtic and classical music. Irminsul’s interest in the harp was sparked when he happened across the music of metal harpist Patrick Ball in 1993.
Snell is a professional harpist, who has performed with the Seattle Symphony, Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra and Seattle Opera. She was the principal harpist with the Bellevue Philharmonic Orchestra for eight years and Tacoma Symphony Orchestra for 10 years. She is a graduate of the University of Washington School of Music and has been president of the Musicians Association of Seattle since 2001.
Thoma is a world traveled musician and educator. He performs on flute, saxophone and clarinet. Thoma, who holds a master’s degree in music, currently teaches at the Pacific Academy of Music in Hilo.
The Kona Harp Ensemble has been playing together for five years and recently released a Christmas CD.
Info: 329-3733. Purchase tickets: www.kahilutheatre.org.
