Harp Classes

Catherine gives lessons in Eglisau, in a small group, or one to one.

If you would like to book a lesson, have a look at the schedule below and contact her with a time that would suit you. Times allocated on a first come first served basis.

The lessons are located approx 7 minutes walk from HUNTWANGEN-WIL train station, (NOT Eglisau), on a level road where you can easily wheel your harp, or you may borrow a Camac harp of Catherine’s.  The station is served by two trains per hour from Zurich/Bulach/ Schffhausen

If you are interested, please get in touch with Catherine through the contact page of the site, and Catherine will get back to discuss your lesson.

Generally students book a block of 6 lessons, each lesson lasting 90 minutes, once a month, whenever you want to have them. This gives plenty of time to learn by ear  and get familiar with the tune. If you have to cancel or change the lesson time, that can be done without charge. A block of 6 lessons  of 90 minutes each booked in advance costs 450 CHF

You can of course, book a single lesson for 60 – 90 minutes or longer

These classes are designed to teach Celtic, and in particular the music of Ireland, in the ancient aural tradition, learning by ear. The tune is played, the student watches, listens, and copies;  student and teacher play together.   At the end of the lesson, you can have the sheet music, and the main focus of the learning is to learn by ear and get the music in your head.

Private lessons are usually the last Thursday and the last Saturday of every month, starting at 10.00 / 12.00 / 14.00 / 16.00 or by arrangement. Just drop me a mail.

Catherine Rhatigan has been teaching for more than 20 years and has a strong repertoire of authentic tunes from which to choose in her lessons. She has taught in the U.S and Europe, and most recently gave a special week long course in 18th century Irish music at the O Carolan Harp Festival in Keadue, Ireland in 2016. She has taught at Celtic Days at Lake Constance with Kora Wuthier, and several times at Autour la Harpe Celtique in Vevey, Switzerland.  In 2019 she undertook a concert tour of Japan which included teaching classes in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan.