Event Harpist

Broken Arrow, OK

$150 and up

Travels up to 60 miles

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2015 Woodland Hills Mall

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Irish Harpist Dearbhail Finnegan & master class

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Joyful Harps at University Village

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Joyful Harps at Trinity Episcopal Church

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Overview

I am a professional harpist and have played at various events and venues in the Tulsa metropolitan area. I play my pedal harp for weddings, memorial services and church services. I also play my lever harp when playing celtic music. I've appeared at Scotfest, and OKMozart with harp ensembles, but usually perform solo.


Reviews

6 reviews

Small thumbnail image for reviewer Blake M.

Blake M.

May 14, 2025
Verified review

Wonderful!

Cynthia was wonderful to work with! She was the perfect addition to our wedding ceremony! I would definitely recommend her!

Hired as: Harpist


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Brett D.

Brett D.

December 29, 2024
Verified review

Great Harpist!

Perfect background music for our event!

Hired as: Harpist


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Laure S.

Laure S.

January 7, 2024
Verified review

Great Harpist

She was a great communicator before the event. She was prompt and very skilled at her instrument. She played beautifully.

Hired as: Harpist


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Elijah R.

Elijah R.

December 8, 2021
Verified review

Special Day

Cynthia made our day so special with her talented play on the harp. Her consistent communication until the day of the wedding made us feel like she cared about us. She was also very flexible with playing whatever music we asked. Cynthia was so polite and professional and was an absolute pleasure to have a part of our special day.

Hired as: Harpist


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Melissa W.

Melissa W.

May 14, 2021
Verified review

Harpist did a lovely job at the funeral service

It was so easy to book with Gigsalad. I used your services to hire a harpist (Linda Barton Paul) for the funeral of my mother-in-law in a town I don’t live in nor have ever lived in. We were so happy with our harpist. She arrived early to set up and played 30 minutes prior to the services and 30 mins after the services during last viewing. Just amazing background music! I highly recommend Gigsalad and our harpist Linda Barton Paul.

Hired as: Celtic Music, Harpist

Small thumbnail image for Event Harpist

Event Harpist

My name is Cynthia McDonald, and it was a privilege to play for the funeral service of Melissa Wanslee's mother-in-law in Tulsa on May 12, 2021. Thank you to Melissa and her husband, Bob, and Gigsalad for this opportunity.

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Booking information

Price range: $150 and up

Languages: English

Gig length: 60 - 120 minutes

About

I grew up in Illinois, and attended Illinois State University. I have lived with my husband, John, in Oklahoma for many years. We live in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma which is right next door to Tulsa. I played piano and clarinet growing up, competing in and winning some state competitions, and always sang in church and school choirs, and trios, also competing in and winning some state competitions. I started playing the harp later in life and have taken lessons with accomplished Tulsa harpist, Lorelei Barton, for ten years. I play as a soloist and also as part of a harp duet with Vicki Smith. I have also played with the Tulsa Troubadours, The Joyful Harps Ensemble and the Midwest Harp Ensemble.

Services offered

Past booked events

November 2025

22

Saturday

Funeral/Memorial Service

4:00pm - 11:30pm

Broken Arrow, OK

May 2025

10

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

5:30pm - 6:30pm

Broken Arrow, OK

December 2024

28

Saturday

Anniversary Party

12:00pm - 2:00pm

Broken Arrow, OK

January 2024

06

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

3:30pm - 5:00pm

Broken Arrow, OK

September 2022

10

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

4:30pm - 5:30pm

Broken Arrow, OK

December 2021

04

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

12:30pm - 2:30pm

Sapulpa, OK

July 2021

24

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

6:00pm - 6:45pm

Tulsa, OK

May 2021

12

Wednesday

Funeral/Memorial Service

1:00pm - 2:00pm

Tulsa, OK

September 2019

07

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

5:30pm - 7:30pm

Oklahoma City, OK

October 2018

20

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

6:30pm - 7:15pm

Wagoner, OK

Set list

My set lists are varied and depend on the event and client. I play a wide variety of pieces including: Andante from Sonata in A, Arioso by J.S. Bach, Canon in D, excerpts from Clair de Lune, Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee/Hymn To Joy by Beethoven, Let There Be Peace On Earth, Sheep May Safely Graze by J.S. Bach, The Prayer, Trumpet Tune by Henry Purcell, etc. Also, more contemporary music such as A Thousand Years, Above the Clouds, Amazing Grace, As The Deer, Be Thou My Vision, Dreaming of You, Longer Than, Perfect, Rachel's Song, Over The Rainbow, Summer Rain, and many more. I also love to play celtic music including: Auld Lang Syne, Cader Idris, Danny Boy, Hewlett, Inis Oirr (Inisheer), Kathleen Astor, Loch Lomond, Mary Scott, Flower of Yarrow, Star of the County Down, Wild Mountain Thyme, and more.
For a gig where easy listening background music is needed I rely on a mix of harp arrangements by Rhett Barnwell, Frank Voltz, Meg Robinson, Laurie Riley and several others. These pieces range from celtic to music of the southwest. I particularly enjoy playing: Las Lumiarias de Sedona, Night Sky, Rachel's Song, Garden Splendor, Eliana, Gossomer Gate, Inisheer Reverie, A Gentle Winter Medley, Angel's Hymn, Setting Sun, Bridget Cruise, The Lark In The Clear Air, Women of Ireland, Suzie McGuire, Irish Coffee, Dance of the Night, Let There Be Peace on Earth, etc. I could go on as I have a lot of music that I use, it really depends on the situation and what is needed for the occasion. I am very willing to find and learn a new arrangement or two if needed.

Influences and inspiration

For the celtic harp, my influences have been celtic harpers Laurie Riley, Kim Robertson and Sunita Staneslow. For more contemporary music and church music, I love the arrangements of Rhett Barnwell, Frank Voltz, and David Ice written for the harp. The biggest influence in my harp playing has been my wonderful harp teacher, Lorelei Barton.

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