Anna Hagen Harpist

Anna is professional harpist and public speaker--make your event memorable with live music!
Contact for weddings, receptions, dinners and after dinner entertainment.

Weddings:
Imagine the magical sounds of the harp surrounding your wedding as your guests and you enter the ceremony! The harp adds that perfect romantic background that keeps your guests talking.

Prelude: I arrive about an hour before the wedding to set up, tune the harp, and confirm the order of service. There is no charge for set up. I begin playing a prelude when your guests arrive, approximately 20 to 30 minutes prior to the ceremony so your guests enter into an atmosphere of elegant music.

Ceremony: As you prepare to walk down the aisle, I play musical selections you chose for the mothers, the bridesmaids and the brides. During the ceremony I can provide a solo if you have a moment during the ceremony which needs special music like lighting a unity candle. As you exit triumphantly, I play a rousing recessional that you chose.
Postlude: As your guests depart, I play another thirty minutes of music to continuing the celebration.

Receptions:
Make a smooth transition from your wedding to reception by continuing the elegant atmosphere of live music. Some couples have me continue playing for that transition hour or cocktail hour while they take pictures, then have a DJ take over when they return to their guests. Others have me play through the reception and dinner!

Who decides what music is played when?
You can have as much or as little input in choosing music as you like. As part of the process you are invited to set up a free consultation where you can hear the music and the harps. Other clients choose their selections by telephone or e-mail. Because time is valuable, some brides say “You are the expert; I trust in your talent and experience. Please make the musical decisions for me.”

There are four important musical choices:
Processional for the Bridal Party
Processional for the Bride
Recessional
Solo music (optional)

What kind of music can you play?

Almost anything! I can play the most traditional wedding march or you favorite love song, I can play that, anything from Pachelbel’s cannon to Christina Perri! I’ve played movie and videogame music, jazz standards, or the Beetles.

My goal is to help you choose music that fits your wedding. If you want a special song, just ask. If you don’t know what you want, I have a repertoire that will help you decide!

When, I was eight, I announced to my parents, “I want to play the harp.” Their wisely cautious response was to give me piano lessons! After a year of piano practice, my passion was unabated so my parents arranged for me to study harp.
And once I got my fingers on strings, there was no looking back!
I started playing professionally at age 14, performing for weddings and open houses. Soon, I mixed my love of public speaking into my playing and expanded from just background music to being the entertainer. Programs pushed me to discover new genres of music, expanding from my love of medieval and classical music into requested genres like Pop, Jazz and Rock & Roll.
Through my teens, I used the business of playing harp to pay for all my own instruments, equipment. My different size harps pushed me to play different styles of events. Then when I decided to use my college to study writing and communication, playing harp helped me earn my degree debt free.
I’d been playing for several years when people began to ask me “When are you going to make a CD?” So at age 18, I recorded my first cd, The Joy We Share, using my own arrangements of hymns for solo harp. Soon, that was followed my by Christmas CD The Sounding Joy then a CD for peace and relaxation Hymns and Variations.

I have had the opportunity to open at the Bluegate Theater and perform with the Elkhart County Symphony. I also enjoy playing throughout Michiana for churches, weddings, funerals, orchestras, harp ensembles, corporate and private events and monthly at several senior communities. Playing harp has introduced me to an amazing variety not just of music but of people that I am privileged to serve! I’ve ended up at Bluegrass Festivals, cathedrals, brass bands and hospital rooms. And everywhere, I’ve seen the smile I get playing the harp reflected in the faces of my audience. It really is a joy!

MEET THE HARPS
Since my parents gave me my first harp at age eight, I have been playing and performing–and collecting more harps! Each of my SIX different sized harps reaches a different audience.
I name all my harps. They are my musical companions with their own voices. And it’s a lot easier to say, “I’m loading Sigi in the car” than say, “I need to grab the harp. No, the other harp. No, the other, other harp…” So let me introduce you to:
For most events, I bring Jocelyn, my traveling pedal harp. Her pedals allow me to play a full repertoire from classic to contemporary music. Her comparatively small size lets me play that music anywhere!

She’s also equipped with an electronic pick up which allows me to plug directly into my own amplifier or any venue’s sound system. Elegant for weddings and perfect for programs, Jocelyn is my go-to girl!

My largested harp I named Eliana. She is a full-sized Lyon and Healy Concert Style 85 with a clean, baroque sound and a ravishing birdseye maple finish.

Eliana’s impressive stature and fuller soundboard make her the perfect harp to play with the symphony and recordings.

Eliana means, “The Lord fulfills His promises.” I was thrilled to record my third CD, Hymns and Variations with her clear sound.

My newest harp—I unexpectedly stopped in a local guitar store and found this beautiful harp sitting between an amplifier and a second hand accordion! Her light proportions and sturdy frame enables me to easily travel to celtic jam sessions or senior communities while her electric pick up makes her loud enough for senior citizens to hear!

After a decade and a half playing both Lever and Pedal harp, I enjoy arranging sheet music that fulfills the potential of both instruments!

Equipment requirements:
None, I bring all my own equipment for harp including amplifier.

Location requirements:
4 square feet of clear space to set up
Shade/rain cover for outdoor events
Adequate lighting
Electrical outlet