- New Orleans, LA
- Violinist
- $250 and up
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
Blake M.
May 14, 2025Wonderful!
Cynthia was wonderful to work with! She was the perfect addition to our wedding ceremony! I would definitely recommend her!
Hired as: Harpist
Brett D.
December 29, 2024Great Harpist!
Perfect background music for our event!
Hired as: Harpist
Laure S.
January 7, 2024Great Harpist
She was a great communicator before the event. She was prompt and very skilled at her instrument. She played beautifully.
Hired as: Harpist
Elijah R.
December 8, 2021Special 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
Melissa W.
May 14, 2021Harpist 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
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.
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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Harpist
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