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Services
Siobhan is passionate about teaching, especially through music, as it is a universal, creative language that develops multiple parts of the brain simultaneously. She provides inspiring lessons for most ages, focusing on piano, harp, and voice, including specialized services for blind students and coaching for auditions. By incorporating Montessori and Kindermusik philosophies, she offers comprehensive and holistic instruction in music theory, artistry, history, and technique, available both in-person and via Zoom, including homeschooling sessions.
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As a Celtic harp performer, Siobhan delivers a blend of traditional Celtic tunes and contemporary melodies, which she performs on either of her harps, creating enchanting experiences whether indoors or outdoors. Siobhan loves celebrating her Celtic heritage, being inspired by the "old ways" of Ireland and traditions of the Celtic Bards, like Turlough O'Carolan, who is considered to be the last Irish Bard. She also offers a repertoire suitable for music therapy in nursing homes and independent living centers.
In her role as a Sound Healer, Siobhan provides sound healing sessions that utilize a variety of instruments, including the harp, crystal bowls, and combinations of solfeggio frequencies, binaural beats, and rhythmic patterns, to facilitate deep relaxation throughout the nervous system. This practice promotes emotional wellness, reduces inflammatory responses in the body, and overall well-being. Sessions are for all ages. As a certified level 1 Sound Healer, she conducts sessions in diverse settings. Please see the benefits examined below.
Frequently Asked Questions For Each Service
Lessons: What's the Best Age to Start Learning an Instrument?
Music is essential for creativity and development, it is naturally a part of our everyday lives. I teach children as young as three, using play, singing, and movement to introduce musical concepts, including reading notation. If there is a curiosity and an interest, that is where the learning starts! It's also never too late to start learning; each age offers new growth opportunities! Students will develop musicianship through tailored exercises and enjoyable songs. I'm comfortable teaching ages three and up!​
How long are your music lessons?
Lessons are structured to be efficient and are customized to each student's interests and needs. The aim is to foster independent musicianship skills, enabling students to practice on their own, learn any song they wish, maintain proper technique, and potentially create their own music with consistent practice. To cover essential material for music lessons, I offer sessions starting at 30 minutes. For those looking for a more in-depth study, 45-minute and hour-long lessons are also available. With regular lessons, practice, and support at home, students can expect to learn a solid musical foundation within 2-3 years.
We currently don’t have an instrument. What would you suggest?
For beginners looking to play piano, electric keyboards such as those from Casio and Yamaha with 88 weighted keys are great options. Future additions could include pedals. A full 88-key keyboard allows students to progress, play a wide range of music, and build finger strength with its weighted keys. Acoustic options include upright pianos for space-saving, baby grand pianos, and grand pianos.
Discover the differences and their advantages and disadvantages here. It is also very common to find free pianos through neighborhood sites such as Facebook Market, etc; these pianos may only need a good home and tuning. The cost is that you may have to find professional piano movers.
For smaller beginner harpists and harpers, I like to start with Harpsicle Harps, Rees, or Dusty Strings 27-34 strings. (I also recommend seeking out used harps, which I am happy to help with) Harpsicle offers basic to higher quality Harpsicle harps. Reputable brands are Lyon and Healy, and Salvi. I teach both classical and Celtic/Folk harp.
We currently don’t have an instrument. What would you suggest?
For beginners looking to play piano, electric keyboards such as those from Casio and Yamaha with 88 weighted keys are great options. Future additions could include pedals. A full 88-key keyboard allows students to progress, play a wide range of music, and build finger strength with its weighted keys. Acoustic options include upright pianos for space-saving, baby grand pianos, and grand pianos.
Discover the differences and their advantages and disadvantages here. It is also very common to find free pianos through neighborhood sites such as Facebook Market, etc; these pianos may only need a good home and tuning. The cost is that you may have to find professional piano movers.
For smaller beginner harpists and harpers, I like to start with Harpsicle Harps, Rees, or Dusty Strings 27-34 strings. (I also recommend seeking out used harps, which I am happy to help with) Harpsicle offers basic to higher-quality Harpsicle harps. Reputable brands are Lyon and Healy, and Salvi. I teach both classical and Celtic/Folk harp.
Do you provide lessons every other week?
I offer temporary lessons for students with a solid foundation who are looking to refine their skills for auditions, competitions, one-time events, exams, and more. I do not provide bi-weekly lessons because consistent lessons are essential for steady progress, maintaining practice motivation, achieving goals, and developing strength and coordination while also reducing the risk of injury.
Do you give trial lessons?
Yes, after communicating by phone or via email, and if appropriate, I give trial lessons for free online for about 20 minutes as a meet-and-greet, to go over any questions, goals, possible lesson plans, how lessons will be structured, etc. Trial lessons can be in-person, but my travel time is limited. In-person trials are possible. Other options can be discussed.
Celtic Harp Performances: What Music Do You Play?
I offer a variety of Celtic music from Irish, English, Welsh, Scottish, and the Isle of Man. My repertoire includes Disney songs, wedding favorites such as hymns and love songs, classics like Canon in D, and a selection of music from the ancient to Renaissance periods. Additionally, I feature contemporary pop classics like "A Thousand Years" and hits from the 60s and 70s, as well as seasonal favorites like Celtic Christmas Carols. I'm also open to learning new requests for special events.
Do You Perform Indoors and Outdoors?
Yes, I can perform in both settings; however, we'll need to discuss the available space to ensure proper arrangements.
Sound Healing Sessions: What is Sound Healing?
Sound Healing is an age-old wellness technique that utilizes sound vibrations to trigger relaxation within the nervous system and facilitate the body's natural self-healing processes. This practice can be used for all ages. This holistic practice employs specific frequencies measurable in electromagnetic energy (techniques with solfeggio frequencies, rhythmic patterns, and binaural beats etc) and various mental states expressed in Hertz. During a sound healing session, a range of instruments—including crystal bowls, singing bowls, tuning forks, bells, chimes, drums, and vocals—are combined with guided meditation or prayer. Each session is tailored to the individual's needs.
Some of my most significant sessions have been for babies to after birth and for mothers postpartum, those dealing with specific ailments such as digestive disorders, and old injuries. Consistent sessions receive the most benefits.
What are the Benefits of Sound Healing Sessions, Sound Baths?
**Here's just the tip of the iceberg**
Dr. Amen, BrainMD
https://www.brainmd.com/blog/benefits-of-sound-therapy/
"Recent research has indicated several physiological and psychological benefits from sound healing.
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Stress Reduction
A recent study involving 105 participants measured heart rate variability (HRV) parameters after a 40-minute Himalayan singing bowls sound bath meditation. A trend showing overall relaxation and statistically significant reduction in heart rate were observed.
The researchers concluded that the physiological measurements “indicated a consistent reduction in heart rate throughout the meditation and a reduction in overall sympathetic tone and an increase in parasympathetic tone.” Sympathetic tone refers to the sympathetic nervous system, which is typically engaged with high activity and stress. The parasympathetic tone refers to the parasympathetic nervous system, which is in play during times of rest, repair, digestion, and relaxation.
The stress-reducing effects of sound therapy may help promote healthy blood pressure. A study examining Himalayan singing bowls as an adjunct therapy to relaxation showed healthier blood pressure levels amongst participants post-sound bath.
Another study from 2019 looked at heart rate variability with two different forms of relaxation – Himalayan singing bowls and supine (lying flat) silence. Both groups achieved relaxation, but the group that participated in a 20-minute session of Himalayan singing bowls had stronger markers of consistent relaxation and stress reduction, over the other group.
It’s not all singing bowls though! A 2015 study that focused only on gong baths showed that participants found the sound vibrations healing or relaxing.
​2. Boosts Mood and Well-being
An observational study of 62 participants exposed to sound healing via a singing bowl meditation showed that participants experienced less tension, anxious feelings, fatigue, and low mood after the meditation. Additionally, a feeling of spiritual well-being significantly increased across all participants.​
3. Reduced Pain
In the same observational study, participants reported reductions in pain. Specifically, the group aged 40 to 59 who were new to this type of healing meditation showed the largest reduction in pain scores.
​4. Potential Immune Boost
A study on music therapy showed markers of boosted immune function in active participants. These participants engaged in a 30-minute session where they played various percussive instruments and sang. It’s believed that a similar effect occurs when sound bathing, especially in groups that actively make sound along with the sound healing instruments."​
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There is a WEALTH of information on this subject, from neuroscience science, and clinical psychology to quantum physics:
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Dr. Hiroshi Motoyama was a Japanese parapsychologist, scientist, spiritual instructor, and author whose primary topic was spiritual self-cultivation and the relationship between the mind and body.
https://cihs.edu/founders-message/
https://spiritual.com.au/2011/07/energetic-medicine-new-science-of-healing/
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Jonathan Goldman, M.A. is an international authority on sound healing and a pioneer in the field of harmonics:
https://www.healingsounds.com/jonathan-goldman-biography/
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Christian perspective:
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"The Sound Healing Research Foundation (SHRF) is a non-profit foundation dedicated to developing research projects to help bring Sound Healing and Therapy more into the mainstream (hospitals and homes).":
https://soundhealingresearchfoundation.org/
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"The brain on sound: Rewiring Thought Patterns With Frequencies":
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International Institute for Complementary Therapists (my wonderful school where I received my Level 1 certification!):
https://www.academyofsoundhealing.com/blog?tag=science+of+sound+healing
Dr. Emoto's water experiment, " Water has memory and carries with it our thoughts and prayers [...]"
https://youtu.be/tAvzsjcBtx8?si=wN246j55TwpW5l2h