Jennifer communicates her reverence for her instrument and music with her hands, searching to define and transcend human experience. Her musical background includes band, choir, and madrigal performance, and she has studied piano and fretted dulcimer. Her true love for the past 19 years has been the Celtic harp. She studied classical harp with Marion Fouse of Portland, Oregon, before forging out on her own with the folk harp, and has been building a repertoire of Celtic, Early, contemporary, original, and light classic pieces.

Jennifer completed her first professional recording in 1998 entitled “Ancient Realms,” featuring solo harp music from the Celtic lands and Medieval Europe. As part of the ensemble “Celtic Muse,” She also released “Wind and Wood: A Sylvan Dance” in 12/98 with her music partner Valerie Blessley. This beautiful album explores traditional Celtic, Early, contemporary, and original music for two Celtic harps, flute, and recorder. Celtic Muse again collaborated on a winter-theme album titled "Merry & Bright" in 2000, featuring Early, Celtic, and original pieces on harps, recorders, flute, and percussion.

Arranging and composing are two of Jennifer's passions. Look for her flowing, lyrical, and unique compositions on her Lyrica Press publishing label. She completed the tutorial "Hands Upon the Harp" in 2002, an acclaimed beginner's harp method book and introduction to the Modes.

Jennifer has garnered praise and prizes for harping and composing, winning the Advanced/Professional title at the Pacific NW Scottish harp competition in 1999 and 2001. She also won the Sacred Oak Grove Eisteddfod in 2000 for original music. Jennifer most recently captured the new regional Pacific NW Scottish harp championship in 2003.

Jennifer played recorder in the consort “Merry Meet,” and has been active in Scottish Country dancing. She also volunteers her music skills in the hospital setting. Jennifer’s harp was built by Mark Blessley of Vancouver, WA. Jennifer is an RN and freelance musician. She lives in Vancouver, Washington, with husband Craig, children, and farm animals. Jennifer also teaches harp, with emphasis on the beginning adult.

“Celtic Muse” came into being in 1995, when Jennifer and Valerie started performing together for weddings. There has been no stopping them since, and they have been privileged to play in a variety of settings throughout the Northwest. Jennifer can be reached at 360.693.4715, or by email from the contacts page.