https://www.ottawaharpacademy.com/testimonial-blog daily 0.75 2021-08-10 https://www.ottawaharpacademy.com/testimonial-blog/graeme monthly 0.5 2021-08-10 https://www.ottawaharpacademy.com/testimonial-blog/klara monthly 0.5 2021-08-10 https://www.ottawaharpacademy.com/testimonial-blog/sara monthly 0.5 2021-08-10 https://www.ottawaharpacademy.com/testimonial-blog/raquel monthly 0.5 2021-08-14 https://www.ottawaharpacademy.com/testimonial-blog/category/testimonials monthly 0.5 https://www.ottawaharpacademy.com/overview daily 0.75 2021-09-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e8b84ccdeec236234bf2c3b/1597772914598-TP5H94S8OOZHGN00C5UQ/wand-blk%402x.png Overview https://www.ottawaharpacademy.com/home daily 1.0 2026-03-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6100bfee41353c4b7d8d90a8/1629301179187-39FYWUU8GI3RU0TFV3XX/Best-Harp-Music-Lessons-In-Ottawa.jpg Home - Make it stand out Teaching young children how to play the harp https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6100bfee41353c4b7d8d90a8/1627944541556-25ZRV33PA4ZMCQPM3OUI/age-level-learning.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6100bfee41353c4b7d8d90a8/1627944657969-2O5ZOZSB642ZY3K1PL00/harp-lessons-ottawa.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6100bfee41353c4b7d8d90a8/1627944686414-A126V7LFMWZ0AXVOIW5W/community-outreach.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e8b84ccdeec236234bf2c3b/1586271942975-81L28MM44KWK51JMIS0N/1263544.jpg Home - You have big dreams for your child. You want to nourish their love of music, and you think harp lessons could be the way to go. But you also remember the drudgery of taking music lessons as a kid. The once-a-week sessions in a sterile room with no other children in sight. The excruciating homework that you pretended to finish, thinking you had your teacher fooled. The exact same lesson structure, week after week after week. Honestly, it felt more like a punishment from your parents than anything else! Instead, I believe that music lessons can – and should – be fun! Rather than hearing, “But Mom, do I haaaaaaave to go?'' it'll be all smiles from here on out. It just takes a little thinking outside of the box. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6100bfee41353c4b7d8d90a8/1627951640446-N6PGNPLQNWGKTRQVWBJD/Harp-Music-Curriculum Home - It’s more than just learning notes on a page. Learning the theories and technicalities of music is, of course, important. It’s the foundation of any accredited music program. But I believe that the magic happens when your child can learn and grow alongside other children. That’s why I infuse a number of collaborative activities into the learning process. My students get to practice together, play together, and support each other while refining their own skills. I also involve them in community outreach activities to make a greater impact. Not only does this bring back the fun (*no more boring lessons on repeat*), but it helps build your child’s confidence and character. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6100bfee41353c4b7d8d90a8/1629301269195-CSN5534AEU1E6CNVQGDC/Natalie-Hoffman-Founder-Ottawa-Harp-Academy.jpg Home - Make it stand out Natalie Hoffman - Educator and Founder of Ottawa Harp Academy https://www.ottawaharpacademy.com/about daily 0.75 2021-08-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6100bfee41353c4b7d8d90a8/1629300898372-MBYL36GOQKTIXOIMR802/Young-Student-Learning-Harp-In-Ottawa.jpg About Young child learning how to play the harp https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6100bfee41353c4b7d8d90a8/1629300947323-RHIU34UJSGXJCZXC91F2/Natalie-Hoffman-Harpist.jpg About - Let’s rewind to when I was a young music student too. I studied both piano and harp and experienced two different studios: a studio that was focused on reading notes and community performance, and a studio with private lessons and group classes. While reading music and having private lessons were great, it's the community performances and group classes that remain my fondest memories! It wasn't much - a group class once a month where we performed for each other, learned together, and played games together, or the occasional performance for a local nursing home or cancer facility - but these experiences gave me friends of similar interests, a strong support system, and lots of confidence in my abilities. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6100bfee41353c4b7d8d90a8/1629300987490-N9NLXMW94J39VNDOOGP4/Harp-Teacher-In-Ottawa.jpg About - Meanwhile, I discovered a heart for helping children… My love of teaching stems from a high-school mentorship opportunity where I shadowed a first-grade teacher for one year. I loved the creative outlets given to young children and developed a deep caring for their well-being. When deciding what to do with my life, I was encouraged to stick with music as I could always return to school for a teaching degree at a later point. And that’s exactly what I did. I received my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in harp and then pursued an education degree in primary/junior. After finishing my teaching degree, I headed to Ottawa (the beautiful city I now call home), where I began my teaching career as a private harp instructor. Fast-forward to today, and I’m thrilled to blend my two passions – music and teaching – to help children thrive. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6100bfee41353c4b7d8d90a8/1629301032048-NGTQDOKS91MSQBNQDEBU/Music-Lessons-For-Young-Children.jpg About - A refreshing teaching style to captivate young minds and elevate achievement. My vision has always been to reinvent the wheel by offering more than just teaching notes on a page. I provide my students with well-rounded music education in a collaborative and supportive environment. Knowing that every child learns differently, I also create custom lesson plans to meet the unique needs of my students. As a result, they continually excel in their musical abilities and have won top honours in Royal Conservatory of Music exams and competitions. Meanwhile, I remember that they’re kids! By incorporating things like fun practice challenges and PJ parties, I create a community-oriented experience that children always look forward to. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6100bfee41353c4b7d8d90a8/1628642537208-90CYIB3O39MZ1VFMFVQV/white-arrow.png About - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6100bfee41353c4b7d8d90a8/1629301118486-NGX4WPR258ZC8JRFPS0Y/Student-Preparing-For-Royal-Conservatory-Of+Music-Exams.jpg About - Now, back to what matters most – my students. The most rewarding part of my job is not only seeing kids excel in their musical talents, but seeing an improvement in their self-worth. Learning and succeeding at something new – like harp lessons – is always a great confidence booster. With that said, I’m beyond proud of my students’ competitive achievements this year: First place in the Ontario Harp Society’s scholarship adjudication – Grade 4 and ARCT category. Marion Dempsey Memorial Trophy Winner for “best musicianship in harp”. First-place winners in the Kiwanis Music Festival – Grade 4 lever and ARCT Pedal. First-place winners in the OMFA Provincial Finals – Grade 4 lever and ARCT Pedal. First Class Honours with Distinction in the Royal Conservatory of Music examinations – Grade 4 and Grade 10. Acceptance with Harp Scholarship to University of Ottawa’s School of Music. Finalist in the American Harp Society National Competition. Acceptances into the Tanglewood Summer Institute, Bowdoin Music Festival, and Young Artist Harp Seminar summer programs. Winner of the Ottawa Youth Orchestra Academy’s concerto competition. https://www.ottawaharpacademy.com/book-trial-lesson daily 0.75 2024-11-20 https://www.ottawaharpacademy.com/classes daily 0.75 2022-09-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6100bfee41353c4b7d8d90a8/1627927701244-GDNEPSYX4RLEN04PH1DB/OttawaHarpAcademybrandshootweb-8.jpg Classes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6100bfee41353c4b7d8d90a8/1627930187847-J8BW4CAEZ8B6I4X4CVWB/unsplash-image-dAMvcGb8Vog.jpg Classes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6100bfee41353c4b7d8d90a8/1627928052963-4RP4VFVUVAK3UG9ELNTS/OttawaHarpAcademybrandshootweb-3.jpg Classes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6100bfee41353c4b7d8d90a8/1627929235275-6FTQ8INJLGV65OPMZ50W/OttawaHarpAcademybrandshootweb-26.jpg Classes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6100bfee41353c4b7d8d90a8/1627928094485-PVGLO9VSE4SZALRC4ESN/OttawaHarpAcademybrandshootweb-68.jpg Classes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6100bfee41353c4b7d8d90a8/1627930817465-472Y8Y0VI2KJ21KXV9A2/Learning-How-To-Play-The-Harp.jpg Classes - Make it stand out Learning How To Play The Harp