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Wilmington Harp Day 2026

Join us for Wilmington Harp Day on October 3, 2026! We are thrilled to have Jacqueline Pollauf present this year's workshops. Come grow in your harp skills, meet new harpists, get your lever harp regulated, shop with Virginia Harp Center's pop-up store, and join the Wilmington, NC harp community!

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Wilmington Harp Day
October 3, 2026

Wilmington Harp Day is open to harpists of all levels, beginner to advanced, students to professionals, both lever and pedal harpists. Our goal is for all harpists, no matter what level or what type of harp, to have fun learning and playing together as well as advancing technique and learning new skills.

 

Wilmington Harp Day 2026

October 3, 2026

 

First Baptist Church Activity Center

1939 Independence Blvd 

Wilmington, NC

 

9am to 3:30pm

 

Guest Presenter: Jacqueline Pollauf

 

  • 8:30am Arrivals and Check in (Lobby Entrance)

  • All Day: 9:00 am – 3:00pm Lever Harp Regulations by Appointment Only with Virginia Harp Center (Library)

  • All Day: 9:00am – 3:00pm Virginia Harp Center Pop Up Shop (Library)

  • 9:15am – 10:45 am Workshop #1 Technical Skills: Hands on workshop featuring harmonics, glissandos, other fun skills on the harp. (Smith Hall)

  • 10:45am – 11am Break

  • 11am - 12:30pm Workshop #2 Combining the Right and Left Hands: Practice incorporating right and left hands with hands-on exercises and skill practice and trying out extended techniques on the harp such as finger placement on the strings, PDLT and BDLC, sound alterations like vibrato, xylophonic technique, and percussive techniques like fingernail buzzes and thunder. (Smith Hall)

  • 12:30pm – 1:15pm Lunch (The Cove)

  • 1:15pm – 1:45pm Jane Burchfield, Certified Hand Therapist: Strategies for healthy, injury-free playing for harpists, exercises and how to avoid common hand problems. (The Cove Stage)

  • 1:45pm to 2:00pm Break

  • 2:00pm – 3:00pm Youth Discovery Track workshops

  • 2:00pm – 3:30pm Workshop #3 Playing with an Ensemble: Learn then play Jacqueline’s composition titled Red Rose, an original solo piece rewritten for ensemble performance with parts for differing levels and both pedal and lever harps, that fit together in interesting ways. The piece is based on an Elizabeth melody and is typically performed as a canon. (Smith Hall)

  • 3:00pm Ensemble Performance of Red Rose (Smith Hall) Open to children and parents and other guests

  • 3:30pm Adjourn

Jacqueline Pollauf

Jacqueline Pollauf, American harpist, is known for her sensitive performances, dedication to teaching, and beautifully crafted compositions. Past performances include a premiere for voice and harp at Carnegie Hall, as well as appearances at the Eleventh World Harp Congress and the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. Her recent recording, Beau Soir, with cellist Dariusz Skoraczewski, was lauded as “utter perfection” (The Harp Column).

 

Jacqueline appears frequently as a recitalist in programs drawing on repertoire standards, little-known works, and her own transcriptions. Recent performances include solo recitals at the Arts Club of Washington; Emmanuel Christ Church in Hannover, Pennsylvania; Florida State University in Tallahassee,

Florida.

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Recording credits include Songs and Dreams for solo harp, featuring Jacqueline’s compositions and transcriptions; Voyage, a recording of avant-garde harp and saxophone duos with saxophonist Noah Getz; and Bouquet, Jacqueline’s debut solo album. A dedicated composer and arranger, Jacqueline’s recent publications include a transcription of Trois

Morceaux by Lili Boulanger and Glissando Exercises, the third in a series of exercise books. Her works, including solo and chamber music, are available through Lyon and Healy Publications, Harp Column Music, and Oakway Studios.

 

Along with flutist Marcia McHugh and violist Karin Brown, Jacqueline appears as part of as Trio Sirènes. She has also performed with ensembles including the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Post ClassicalEnsemble, (Washington D.C.), the Scottish Voices (Glasgow, Scotland), and the Choir of Clare College

(Cambridge, UK).

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Jacqueline has been recognized with awards from the Maryland State Arts Council and Chamber Music America. She is the founder and director of the Baltimore Harp Camp, and is on faculty at the Baltimore School for the Arts and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Performances and instructional videos can be found on her highly regarded YouTube channel. She holds degrees from the PeabodyConservatory.

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Lever harp regulations from the Virginia Harp Center are available on Friday, October 2, 2026 by appointment.

 

Please email virginia@vaharpcenter.com to schedule your regulation.

Youth Discovery Track (Ages 12 & Under) – Free

A fun and engaging harp experience for beginners and current harp students alike! Participants will enjoy harp-themed games, explore lever and pedal harps, and hear a live ensemble performance.

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Wilmington Harp Day Youth Discovery Track Schedule

  • 1:45 PM arrive and check in

  • 2:00–2:45 PM harp games in The Cove (no harp needed!)

  • 2:45–3:00 PM Virginia Harp Center lever and pedal harps demonstration

  • 3:00–3:30 PM Listen to the Wilmington Harp Day Ensemble performance Smith Room 2

  • 3:30–4 PM VA Harp Center shopping and departures

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