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'Music to soothe your soul'

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Photo by Shannon Savage at The Hyde Collection Art Museum, Glens Falls, NY 
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Harper History    Music    Reviews    Harp Gallery    Contact Info    Links    Art Gallery    Other Stuff
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A singer/songwriter since high school, Donna searched for years for the right musical niche and the instrument with which to accompany herself. In 1991 she discovered her affinity with ancient music and the Celtic Harp and has since developed a vocal and instrumental repertoire interpreting Scottish renaissance music, medieval, and 'Art Fine' pieces, in addition to numerous original works, including compositions for small ensembles.
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Having immersed herself in early music, her lyrical creations sometimes emulate one style and at other times merge several influences. Her voice is sweet and particularly well suited to her simple, yet expressive style of playing and her recordings are further enhanced by the sensitive arrangements of husband, studio engineer and musician, John Profeta.

Donna has played as a member of The Hudson Valley Harp Circle, as a guest of the 77th NY Regimental Balladeers and appeared with Singer/Songwriter, Nancy Walker and Female Songwriters You Wanna Hear, as well as performing with harpist, Linda DeBrita and husband, John Profeta.
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At The Burnt Hills/ Ballston Lake Women's Club 2007 Festival of Trees.  Photo by Bert Longbotham.

Saratoga First Night/NYS Military Heritage Institute 
Chapman Historical Museum
Scottish Games at Altamont
Old Songs Festival
The Eighth Step
Just Plain Folks NE Showcase at Borders
The Hyde Collection
Glens Falls Civic Center
Old Stone Fort
Knickerbocker Mansion
Schuyler Mansion
Hunter Mountain Celtic Festival

Donna's debut album, Brynna's Aire (pronounced Bree-na), was well received on MP3.com,  with #1 hits in the Medieval and Poetry sections, along with a #3 spot in the Celtic listing. After obtaining the top berth in the Medieval genre, the vocal duet, Candle Burning Bright, held at #2 for 14 days in December 1999 and the entire month of January, and remained in the top 10 for all but 8 days through March of 2000. Gentle Fortress, from the extended *Bonus Cuts* album, was the most played song over Mother's Day weekend of that year.

Brynna's Aire *Plus Bonus Cuts* made it onto Metroland's 2001 Top 10 Local Albums list and was nominated in the celtic genre of the Just Plain Folks 2001 Music Awards!

Abhay's Fancy, a harp solo piece (currently only available as part of a 2-song CD single at cdbaby.com, along with I Just Want to Dream), was nominated in the instrumental genre of the Just Plain Folks 2002 Music Awards.

*Audio samples of ALL the selections can be heard at cdbaby.com
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Purchase CDs online at: cdbaby.com or call 1-800-BUY-MY-CD with any major credit or debit card. .

Brynna's Aire *Plus Bonus Cuts* CD's may be purchased directly in the NY Capital Region at Borders Books & Music in Albany, Saratoga and Clifton Park, Parkway Music in Clifton Park and the NYS Military Heritage Institute in Saratoga Springs.

*Kudos to husband, John Profeta, who plays all the background arrangements and produced and engineered the album in his Silver Streak Studio.  What a guy! 

"The world would be a better place if there were more harpists in it, especially ones who create thoughtful, enjoyable albums of original and interpretive material like this one.”

J. Eric Smith, Metroland Magazine 2001 Picks

``It may be the memory of my celtic blood, or the romance of Shakespeare's sonnet, but regardless of personal bias Donna Adams-Profeta's celtic harp is a secret weapon in a sea of spoken word. With a number of Top 10 pieces this New York artist defines a delightful poetic niche that will pull you in and keep you listening through the day and long into the good night.’’

Sue Braiden, VOXine Vol. 1, Issue 1, CBC Radio Canada

``This gentle, romantic performer lives in the province of the truly gifted spokenword artists, part of a husband-wife duo that works exceedingly well.’’

Sue Braiden, VOXine Vol. 1, Issue 2, CBC Radio Canada

``Braveheart would have washed his face and come dancing if he'd heard the dulcet tones of Profeta's lilting harp.’’

snap.com review

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``With it's simple musical arrangements, Donna's compositions offer a calm and peaceful experience. Listeners making their foray into the magical music of the harp for the first time should try her album.’’

Abhay Adhikari, 'The Pulse' section of 'The Pioneer' newspaper, New Delhi, India 
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Pictured below (left) is my first harp, a 29-string 'Merlin' by Hummingbird, sitting alongside the lap harp I initially rented (a 23-string 'Hummingbird'...you guessed it...by Hummingbird).  Lovely instruments both!  The Merlin has since moved on to a new owner, whom I'm sure will be as delighted with it as I was.  To the right is my full-sized Hummingbird Lupine, the instrument I use for weddings, etc.  Both the Merlin and the Lupine can be heard on my Brynna's Aire CD.

The Kortier Wrenfaire (middle) is my most recent acquisition and was purchased for my therapeutic harp activities.  I adore it's gothic profile, renaissance-styled stave-back soundbox, fluorocarbon strings and it's mere 15 lbs!!!  It has also become my preferred concert & recording harp (we're getting organized to start a 2nd album).
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The sketch of me below (left) was drawn by Meredith Lightfoot at the Waterford Library Holiday Open House, Waterford, NY (12/5/98).  Thanks Meredith!  The photo at right was from the Scottish Games at the Altamont Fair Grounds.

CD RELATED

HARP RELATED

Donna's cdbaby.com site
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/profeta
Listen to and/or purchase full CD and 2-song single
- SPECIAL PACKAGE -

Dragon Flower Music Home Page
http://www.dragonflower.com/index.html
Lessons, cd's, books & sheet music in Albany, NY

The Harp Place
email: cplace@nycap.rr.com
Lessons, harp rentals & sales in Latham, NY

International Society of Folk Harpers
http://www.folkharpsociety.org
Contact for local harper listings

The Harp Page
http://www.tns.lcs.mit.edu/harp
Anything and everything related to the harp
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CELTIC MUSIC

THERAPEUTIC MUSIC SITES

Music In Scotland: Gateway to Scotland's music
http://www.musicinscotland.com
All things Celtic
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Ceolas
http://www.ceolas.org/ceolas.html
Ceolas houses the largest online collection of information on celtic music, and has links to hundreds of related sites.

Harp for Healing
www.donnaharp.com
Bedside therapeutic harp music by
Donna Adams-Profeta, Certified Music Practitioner
(w/ links to numerous therapeutic music programs)

The Music For Healing & Transition Program, Inc.
www.mhtp.org
International educational program for musicians and
music students who wish to become Certified Music Practitioners
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Donna is in the Upstate NY Capital District area can be contacted at:

Donna Adams-Profeta
Ballston Lake, NY
(518) 383-3524
email: donnaharps@aol.com
donnaharp1@yahoo.com

NOTE: Unless you are a Yahoo user, please use the AOL address.  If you have a Yahoo address,
your email bounces back or you don't hear back in a timely manner, please use the Yahoo address.
Our apologies for any inconvenience.

After playing for an art gallery reception, it spurred me on to produce a Gallery Site of animal art that I created during my previous life as a fine artist.  A number of paintings have been laying around the house and I figured I'd get them up somewhere where at least a facsimile of them will see the virtual light of day.  Hope you enjoy it!
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To see and learn about our new harper dog...Click Here.  No, she doesn't play harp.  She's just an inspiration...

In memory of Molly...Click Here  (NOTE: the site hasn't been updated since her passing).

In memory of a harper's horse...Click Here.
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