Join us for a restorative harp retreat in the remarkable historic town of New Harmony, Indiana. New Harmony Harp Haven offers adult harpists a rare opportunity for focused study, musical renewal, private instruction, harp therapy education, and time to breathe in a beautiful and contemplative setting.

This retreat is not a competition, audition, or high-pressure festival. It is a focused and welcoming environment for growth. New Harmony Harp Haven is designed for adult harpists who are seeking excellent instruction, inspiration, and a peaceful retreat environment.

For students wishing to study privately with Elizabeth Richter, this track offers individual instruction in a small retreat setting. Enrollment is limited to five students to preserve the personal nature of the work. Students in this track may also participate in the harp therapy courses and retreat events.

This track is ideal for harpists who are curious about therapeutic music, improvisation, sound, resonance, and ways to use the harp beyond performance settings.

Primary Venue: St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church / Parish Hall
Private Lesson Location: Mother Superior House
Faculty Concert venue: St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church / Sanctuary

Faculty: Martha Waldvogel and Elizabeth Richter
Tuition: $800 founding year tuition, $900 for private lesson track
Enrollment: Limited to 15 students for harp therapy / enrichment track
Private Lesson Track: Limited to 5 students with Elizabeth Richter
VATM Sessions: Optional add-on, limited availability
Lodging/Meals: On your own, with recommendations provided

Served as Professor of Harp at Ball State University for 38 years, where she was the recipient of the College of Fine Arts Dean’s Teaching Award for outstanding teaching and mentorship.

She began her career as principal harpist with the Kansas City Symphony and the Kansas City Lyric Opera, and has performed as concerto soloist with many orchestras, including the Kansas City Symphony and the Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra. She has appeared in recital in the United States and Europe and has been heard on National Public Radio’s Performance Today.

Ms. Richter’s students have been frequent audition and competition winners and have established successful careers in orchestras and universities in the United States, South America, and Europe. She has conducted master classes at Tanglewood, the Royal Academy of Music in London and at numerous American universities and harp festivals and has been a frequent judge at national competitions. She was on the faculty of the Midwest Harp Festival for 18 summers.

She enjoys teaching students of all levels, and focuses on helping them improve their technique and develop more profound interpretive skills, while cultivating physical and mental relaxation at the harp.

She has served as First Vice-President of the American Harp Society, on the Board of Directors of the American Harp Society Foundation, and as a member of the editorial board of the American Harp Journal. The AHS recognized her with a special award in 2002 for her “outstanding service to the cause of the harp.”

Ms. Richter holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from Boston University, where she was a student of renowned teacher Lucile Lawrence.

Is a professional harpist, experienced educator, and therapeutic music practitioner whose career has taken her from the concert stage and university studio to hospitals, wellness settings, and intimate spaces of healing and renewal.

She holds a Bachelor degree in harp performance from Ball State University, where she studied with Elizabeth Richter, and a Master of Music in harp performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music, where she studied with Alice Chalifoux. Additionally, Martha is a Certified IHTP Resonant Kinesiology Instructor.

Martha has performed throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. She enjoys teaching harpists of many ages and levels, including more than fifteen years of university-level instruction. She also lived and taught in Switzerland for over twelve years, directing harp ensembles and working within the Swiss music school system.

As a Certified Therapeutic Harp Practitioner and Vibroacoustic Therapeutic Music Practitioner, Martha brings a distinctive understanding of how music can support relaxation, self-expression, connection, and well-being. She is the founder of Harp Source, where she offers therapeutic harp, vibroacoustic music sessions, private instruction, and educational presentations.

At New Harmony Harp Haven, Martha will guide participants in exploring the expressive and therapeutic possibilities of the harp. Her teaching is encouraging, practical, and responsive to each individual, helping harpists develop greater freedom, confidence, creativity, and connection with their instrument.

Available until September 1st

Limited spaces available. Maximum of 15 Participants.

Vibroacoustic Therapeutic Music sessions are a powerful way to:

Sessions from $95. Booking is made during the retreat.

New Harmony Harp Haven is committed to providing a welcoming and respectful retreat environment for all participants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

Our goal is to create a peaceful and supportive space where harpists can learn, grow, rest, and participate fully in the shared musical life of the retreat.