Music has been an integral part of my life ever since I can remember- I started singing in the church choir when I was three, and I've just kept on going!  After years of vocal music study, I went on to become a music education major at Susquehanna University. There, I was challenged to learn every instrument in the orchestra. Every instrument that is, except for the harp.  While I was singing at a wedding, I had a chance encounter with a harpist who let me try her instrument.  It clicked for me immediately.  I got a small Celtic harp and lessons.  Within two years, I landed my first steady restaurant gig at Caffe La Bella in Moorestown, NJ.   This gig led to many others.  Soon I was the strolling harpist at Bacchanal Restaurant at Caesars Casino in Atlantic City and playing for Sunday Brunch at The Mansion in Voorhees.  I won the Mid-Atlantic Irish Harp Competition, and went to study harp at the Carde Na Cruite School in Termonfeckin, Ireland.  

 

While performing music for weddings, parties, and other special events has been satisfying, a few years ago I decided I wanted to take my harp music further.  I started to compose my own songs, set in a pop-rock style.  After going it with solo harp and voice, I realized that I needed to honor the fuller instrumentation I was hearing in my head.  With the guidance of Ted Richardson at TED Audio in Philadelphia, in December 2012 I started recording my first-ever studio CD.    Lending their performances to the cause have been my husband, Mark Dishong, on keys, Darren Keith on drums, Michael Ronstadt on cello, my daughter Ellie Dishong on fiddle, and James Hamilton on percussion.  This resulted in my first CD Little Green Apples, which is a collection of eleven songs loosely based on mythological stories from various cultures.

 

When I'm not plucking away at concerts or weddings, I can be found teaching music at the Mary E. Roberts Elementary School in Moorestown, NJ.   As a harpist, I'm available for hire for all kinds of events.  I also have a band at the ready who will be happy to play for you as well.   Whether it's harp music, or any other kind , please support live music in your community!