Pedal Harp Ensemble workshop with Michelle Velvin


​This couldn't BE any more exciting!!

Harps Aotearoa Foundation, supported by the generosity of an anonymous donor 'Patron of the Harps' commissioned Wellington harpist and composer, Michelle Velvin to write a pedal harp trio to be premiered at Harp Fest NZ 2026.

From Michelle:"Performing The Sunday Market Goblin Parade with fellow harpists of a similar level means nurturing connections with the wider New Zealand (and abroad) harp community, the chance to be the first to premiere a new NZ work, and an exciting challenge to branch out from ‘the usual’ classical harp repertoire. 
As a composer/performer I really enjoy having an engaging melody to play, not just one repeated motif for an entire piece, which is why I have concocted each part in a way that alternates between the melody and the accompaniment for a spell, which means everyone gets a chance to shine!  As the piece progresses, the various melodies intertwine and weave together, with small splatterings of techniques such as bisbigliandos, xylophonic technique and harmonics. 
The challenges of The Sunday Market Goblin Parade will be managing your own notes, pedal changes and dynamics, counting, whilst listening to the group and working together as a chamber music ensemble.  Not all the notes in each part are tricky, but to make it effective the magic of this piece will be created when everyone really listens and responds."


​Michelle has composed the fantastic, colourful and fun piece entitled 'The Sunday Market Goblin Parade' for pedal harp trio, and Michelle will be your mentor and coach for the whole experience - starting with online rehearsals, right through to an in-person rehearsal and performance on Friday 3 April on the opening evening of Harp Fest NZ 2026.
This opportunity will be available for pedal harpist who are playing at Grade 5 and above. There will need to be a high level of commitment from the harpist, and you must be able to attend the online rehearsals and then attend the in person rehearsal on the afternoon of Friday 3 April 2026, and perform at 7pm as part of the Harp Fest NZ 2026 opening celebrations.
There will be a small fee to cover music and rehearsal expenses, and a discount for harpists who will be attending Harp Fest NZ 2026 with a weekend registration.

We'll be updating this page, and the newsletter as we get a bit closer to releasing the music - it's going to be a blast - who doesn't want to hear what a 'The Sunday Market Goblin Parade' sounds like???