Seven-year-old Lucia first saw a harp in the Disney movie Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess. As the title character plucked her harp’s strings, Lucia’s interest was piqued. When she caught a live harpist playing at a local Mexican restaurant, of all places, Lucia set her heart on trying the instrument herself.
Undeterred by her daughter’s unusual request, Tara Shadduck set out to find a child-sized harp and a teacher. Harps featured in concerts can stretch more than 6 feet tall. But Dusty Strings in Fremont, the go-to resource for almost every type of stringed instrument, sold harps small enough to fit Lucia.
After just six months of lessons, Lucia is comfortable playing her harp for friends and family. “My friends, they think it’s hard,” said Lucia. But after much practice, “I think it’s easy.”
Lucia says she likes how the harp looks and sounds. She explains its features, how the strings get thicker and longer to make low notes and are color-coded to help recognize some notes. Lucia is eager to share her passion with others.
“I want to bring my harp to school and show my class at music time,” Lucia said. “Maybe someday I’ll be in an ensemble. Right now, it is the only instrument I want to play.”
