One Would Think I was Irish--

Jarom Xochimitl--born in Provo, of Mexican-English Irish heritage





David Tomer--Violinist, also talented Irish dancer

I cannot think of anything else I have been so enthusiastic about, nor enjoyed so much as I did last night at the Celtic Harp concert!! A date with myself and I had a lovely time--

The only way it can be described was pure JOY! Something in the music stirred my soul and I knew why I love it so much. It uplifts and carried its resonance into every cell of my being.

Many CDs in my personal library of music contain some of the songs that were played.
I just need to enjoy them all over again. There was also an Irish dance student that came out and twirled a jig in several of the numbers. The music was lively and contagious. I took pictures on my digital camera and even got the last two dancers up in the air!



The harpist was Cynthia Douglass. She had Irish roots and seemed to really enjoy entertaining us as she told us background of her songs she wrote or played other artists music.

There were other musicians on stage who complemented her music. A violinist who had an electric violin, wore his dancing shoes and did a jig while he played some Irish pieces. It was music like Tana had recorded in some of her comings and goings in Ireland. The performer said many of the songs originated in Pubs, and had several names to the same melodies.

I took many pictures and figured out on the spot how to take them without the flash, since I happened to get a front row seat! I had called ahead the number on the article I printed. The fellow that answered said I needed to hurry since the tickets were going fast. Before he got off the phone he said he would put my name on some tickets, but I only needed one. He sure enough had the ticket and was kind enough to tell me they were not set up to take credit/debit cards, but could write a check.

I arrived at Westminster College with fifteen minutes to spare. I stopped at a gas station a block away from the auditorium and got some cash from the ATM machine. I didn't even have to buy anything and just got the cash out to purchase my ticket.
I was able to go in and at first got a seat midway down on the end of the aisle. Then the master of ceremonies said there were 10 seats available on the front row. So I sacheted down to the front an almost center. No one was in front of me except the stage with the musicians. How fun was that? Amazing.



Cynthia came out in a green velvet dress with a red plaid taffeta under skirt that you could see from her waist down as she sat and played the Celtic harp. She had long beautiful red/auburn hair with beautiful blue eyes. Afterwards I met her in the lobby with the other musicians and got their autographs. She reminded me a little of my sister-in-law, Shirley with her light complexion, blue eyes with her long, red hair.



You can see by the photos that they had a lot of fun playing, singing and dancing.




During the intermission they had some CDs and I got one to enjoy. Harps, flutes, cello and violins sounded so peaceful and yet again, so energizing. They are high vibe entertainment, which can make the doldrums go away. Good Rx for depression--


The second man to the left is playing the hammered dulcimer.






It looks like a harpsichord. He also played the Irish black flutes. He made beautiful sounds/music. He is one of the performers that was very charming as the flutist and dulcimer player. He looked very distinguished in his white hair and white beard. His talent was amazing, and he learned to play them just twenty years ago and he looked like he could be late sixties or even early seventies. I think the music keeps a person young with the influence resonating a vibrancy on a constant level. Just an observation.


The cast taking a bow before their Encore--l to r, David Tomer, Paul Mitchell, Meghan Kuan-Smith, Jarom Xochimitl, Cynthia Lynn Douglass.

As a personal comment about this whole evening--I am amazed and thankful for the feeling of enthusiasm this event gave not just to me but all those who were spectators, but those who performed. The hand of God continues to bless our lives collectively. The many thousands of hours in total that it took for me to enjoy that moment in time. It boggles the mind just to consider the calculation.

I just think of their mothers encouragement that it must have taken for each one to succeed in their own lives to become the gifted musicians that they are. It takes a lot of courage as well to learn a new musical instrument and it was so awe-inspiring to me. It even makes me feel and think I could learn to play that Celtic harp if I put my mind to it. It is never too late to learn!