Just the sound of it floating in the air conjures the mystical and magical, think Game of Thrones or Merlin.

And as for being able to play one? That can seem out of reach. But as a part of the Stawell Performing Arts Fest Music Making Workshops Day on September 18 you will be able to do just that.

Frances Thiele, an Australian harp player and teacher of many years experience from the Macedon Ranges, will bring her expertise, and seven-lap harps with her, to provide a hands-on experience that will have even the pure beginner able to play a tune.

Anyone from age nine up is welcome, even those who have never touched a harp before.

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Frances will also available to support any more experienced harp players and those with their own harps, with one-to-one lessons and the possibility of adding an intermediate workshop to the day if there is interest.

Frances is highly qualified and experienced having completed many practical exams with the Australian Music Examinations Board and Trinity College, London, for lever and pedal harp.

She is a Fellow in Musicology from the Australian Society of Musicology and Composition.

Frances writes her own compositions and arrangements for lever harp ranging in style from traditional folk pieces to jazz standards. She is a published author with articles on musical history.

More information on Frances can be found on her website and Facebook pages; Frangipani Harp.

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The harp workshop is a part of the Stawell Performing Arts Company's Stawell Performing Arts Fest, a two-day event across Friday September 17 and Saturday September 18.

With Friday dedicated to showcasing youth talent through the GYE factor concert and the Saturday a day of workshops culminating in a concert to showcase the workshop participants and teachers.

Frances will be performing as a part of the Saturday concert.

Other workshops running on the day include ukulele and singing.

The beginner Harp Workshop will run from 10am to 11.30am, Saturday September 18, at the Stawell Entertainment Centre, cost $25.

Bookings are essential and can be made online through trybooking.

For more information people can visit the Stawell Performing Arts Company Facebook page or call the event organiser Dianne Stewart on 0427850278.

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