Shannon Schumann, CTHP, RMT

When I see kids, I try to connect with them and play something they can interact with. And when I’m at the children’s hospital, I see a lot of kids! The other day, a mother came in with a fussy baby, I was playing my usual stuff, and so I quickly switched midsteam into the universal baby language: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. And as soon as I started, that baby whipped his head around, looked straight at me, and started to laugh!

I have a few tunes that I can play in any key, so I can smoothly move into them without needing to stop and reset my levers when I need to play them. Twinkle is one, How Much is that Doggie in the Window is another (for when the therapy dogs arrive!), Happy Birthday is another good one to know, and Somewhere Over the Rainbow on the harp is always a hit. And of course, theraputic harpists have a large repertoire in many different keys, and can make up new music on the spot to suit the mood.

That’s the whole advantage of live music in therapeutic settings. Instead of our clients adjusting to the music around them, we can adjust to meet their needs. I’m still smiling, thinking of that cute baby’s face.

But I plan to hit a few open mics this month, so stay tuned for those!

I’ll be playing with Rick Boyle at 2 pm this coming Sunday in the Tempe Public Library, SW corner of Southern and Rural. We have some great stuff lined up for you; I hope you can come and give us a listen. Look, they even made a cool poster for us!

No more 9-5!

Shemer Art Center Spring Tea! There’s also an art show going on, so if you’re looking for *very* early holiday gifts, come on down!

5500 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix.

Sarra Erb is the music Therapist at Banner Children’s Hospital. She does wonderful work, and I count myself lucky to be under her supervision.!

March is a busy month for harpists, and as a harpist who specializes in Celtic music, well… I had intended to post a list of my appearances for this month at the beginining of March, but after a week of working with new and returning Therapuetic Harpists (more on that in another post later), there wasn’t a free moment.

And now the March frenzy begins! Here’s where you can find me this month:

March 11: With DeMairt Ceol (8 piece traditional Irish music band) at noon at the Phoenix Irish Festival in the Irish Cultural Center. We’re playing at the George O’Brien tent at noon .

March 11: With my duo partner (we are Begged and Borrowed) at the Phoeinix Irish Fest in the Irish Cultural Center, conveniently again at the George O’Brien tent at 1:15.

March 12: With DeMairt Ceol at Fibber Magee’s Irish pub, 6-8 pm.

March 17: Wtih DeMairt Ceol at the Irish Cultural Center’s Third Friday Ceili Dance. They are a load of fun, and all dances are taught. With March 17 falling on a Friday, this is sure to be an especially wonderful time.

March 18: With Begged and Borrowed at Fiddler’s Dream Coffeehouse, located in the little building behind the Quaker Meeting House at 1702 E Glendale 8:00 pm, $10 admission.

March 22: With DeMairt Ceol at the Scottsdale Sister Cities happy hour, held at R.T. O’Sullivan’s Sports Grill, 7919 E Thomas Rd.

March 26: With Begged and Borrowed in Prescott, for the Sundays at the Sundance series in Crystal Hall. Admission is free, but the hall fills quickly so please reserve tickets here in advance. Doors open at 2, show begins at 3.

Here are two more bonus dates:

April 1: At the Shemer Art Center Art in the Garden and Sparkling Tea. I’ll be playing from 12:30 – 2 ish. 5005 E Camelback Rd.

April 23: With Begged and Borrowed at the Tempe Public Library, 2pm. 3500 S Rural Rd in Tempe (of course).

Here’s a blast from the past! I’m looking forward to much more good music with my buddy Rick this year. Hope to see you in person.

As of today, this weekend’s Experience Ireland event at the Musical Instrument Museum, as well as the Phoenix St. Patrick’s Day parade and Irish Faire have been cancelled due to the Coronavirus. Although I’m sad not to be performing in these events, it’s probably for the best. These are all very large scale events, with thousands of people mingling among turkey drumsticks.

There’s still one event that is a go, at least at this point, and that is Rick and my performance at Fiddler’s Dream Coffeehouse. This is a small venue, holding perhaps a few dozen at the most. So if Canon fever is starting to get to you, come out for a few hours.

Saturday night, starting at 8 pm. We’re the second set. 1702 E Glendale Ave. It’s the tiny building behind the Quaker Church.

I’m at the Sahuaro Park Folk Festival, and this year we got a swag bag! I have to extoll the virtues of the lip balm: lightly scented, feels great on the lips, and makes excellent correct grease for those of us who forgot to pack theirs, as well. Does this make me an influencer?