"Barb Evenson is a consummate musician, who understands and feels the subtle differences between replicating the notes on the page and making music."

-Sara Compton, Iowa State Center

 

Fáilte!  Welcome!

I am an Iowa-born celtic harper who loves to play and sing the music of Ireland and Scotland.  I discovered my love for the harp after trying one belonging to a friend, and haven’t looked back since.  The music of my ancestors feeds my soul, and I love to share it with others, through performing and teaching.

I've studied at the Cairde na Cruite Harp festival in County Louth, Ireland, the Irish Harp Centre in Castleconnell, Ireland, and privately with Gráinne Hambly, well-known Irish harper.  Others who have helped develop my skills are harpers Helen Davies, Cormac DeBarra, and Janet Harbison, and sean nós singer Seosaimhín Ní Bheaglaoich.  Intrigued by the Irish language, I've also attended the Irish language course at Oideas Gael, County Donegal, Ireland.

I perform regularly at venues and private events in Ames and Des Moines, and have also appeared with harper Kristin Maahs at the Iowa Irishfest, La Crosse Irishfest, and Milwaukee Irishfest, as part of the “Aran Daughters” harp duo.

   Appearances include:

The Iona Abbey, Iona, Scotland


                                             La Crosse Irishfest, La Crosse, Wisconsin

                                                        1st place winner, Celtic Harp Competition  2013, 2014, 2015

                                Iowa Irishfest, Waterloo, Iowa

                                Milwaukee Irishfest

Cafe Milo, Ames

Gallery 319, Ames

Ames Public Library Unplugged Series

Ames Progressive

Ames Main Street Farmers' Market

Good Company: A Women's Choral Ensemble, Ames

State Historical Building St. Patrick's Day Celebration, Des Moines

Green Hills Retirement Community, Ames

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames

All Things Scottish CelticFest, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Wheatsfield Co-op, Ames

Northcrest Retirement Community, Ames

Bickford Retirement Community

First United Methodist Church, Ames

Whole Foods, West Des Moines

 

In addition, I am an experienced pianist, and have accompanied many choral and other musical groups over the years, including:

Ames Choral Society

Good Company, A Women's Choral Ensemble

Ames Children's Choirs

ACTORS (Ames Community Theater)

Dubuque, Iowa, Community Theater

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Community Theater

Ames Children's Theater

Kids' Co'Motion