Our Motto
We hear your voice!
Our Mission
The Mission of the International Harp Therapy Program -USA Affiliate is to provide the highest possible quality of training to harp players to prepare them to excel in providing therapeutic music in a wide variety of settings. This is done in a supportive and respectful setting, but requiring accountability and responsibility by all involved.
Our program, in continuing the traditions and vision set forth by Christina Tourin, is the standard bearer for people wishing to learn how to offer therapeutic harp music or improve skills as a therapeutic musician. We attract top-level teachers to provide instruction. Our graduates are personally and professionally enriched through the training, and will be ready for employment opportunities in the healthcare field.
Our program, in continuing the traditions and vision set forth by Christina Tourin, is the standard bearer for people wishing to learn how to offer therapeutic harp music or improve skills as a therapeutic musician. We attract top-level teachers to provide instruction. Our graduates are personally and professionally enriched through the training, and will be ready for employment opportunities in the healthcare field.
Rachel Christensen
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Rachel Christensen, Program DirectorRachel Christensen, Harpist, CTHP, BIS describes herself as a lifelong musician, but after several years study as a music major at the University of Minnesota, she changed course to a business focus. Her professional career was spent in banking and business management. After selling her business in 2014, she refocused her involvement in music and harp. She enrolled in the IHTP in 2007 and was certified in 2010. Since that time she has remained active as a mentor of the program and an occasional workshop teacher. Rachel is a private lesson and Skype instructor, performs with several symphony orchestras and choral groups, and solo harp performance. She has been an active volunteer with numerous organizations, and currently serves as the Secretary of the NSBTM board. In addition to playing for
people, Rachel enjoys playing therapeutically for animals. She lives in Minnesota and Florida with her husband, and three cats and a dog. |
Jocelyn Obermeyer
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Jocelyn Obermeyer, Program DirectorJocelyn Obermeyer, Harpist, CTHP, CCM, B. Mus. is the Program Director for the Therapeutic Harp Foundation (THF) and Community Liaison of the Phoenix Chapter-American Harp Society. Ms. Obermeyer has served as a therapeutic harp practitioner for the past 10 years. She began her music career at six and quickly earned a spot as her church organist by age 12. She went on to Northern Illinois University, where she won a full scholarship as a classical clarinetist at the prestigious music school and went on to a degree in music, where she toured nationally and internationally as the baritone saxophonist for Mode Show, headed by Ron Modell. Later in life, after a personal experience where she saw first-hand its therapeutic effects, Ms. Obermeyer chose to learn how to play the harp, studying with some of the finest classical, jazz and therapeutic harpists in the country such as Suzanne Balderston, Lisa Lynne Franco, Dr. Heidi Hernandez, Alla Yashneva, Diana Rowan, and Mariano Gonzalez.
Jocelyn serves on the National Standards Board of Therapeutic Musicians, International Harp Therapy Program Arizona Director, Secretary for the Institute for Healing Through Sound and Music, and sits on the Board of Therapeutic Harp Foundation. Jocelyn has been heard at Marshall Gallery in concert with Lynn Haessler and Daga Suchon and is a regular at Carstens Fine Art Gallery. She performs at various churches around Arizona and plays weddings, parties, memorial services and other corporate events. |
Our History
The International Harp Therapy Program (IHTP) was founded by Christina Tourin, a pioneer and leader in the world of harp and healing, in the early 1990s. Now in its third decade of providing training, the IHTP currently has students and graduates in 22 countries and on five different continents. As a program which is accredited by the National Standards Board for Therapeutic Musicians, the IHTP offers a comprehensive training program offered through a combination of two separate attendance modules, independent (at home) study, and internship. As evidenced by its growth and longevity, the IHTP is a premiere harp therapy training program and it sets itself apart from other training available through its deep work in resonance and also its interactive components. To learn more about the program and its history, please visit Harptherapycampus.com. You will also be connected to resources such as free on-line tutorials by Christina Tourin to help you.
In 2019, Christina Tourin created five affiliate programs to continue the work and teaching of the program as she looks toward possible retirement. The International Harp Therapy Program-USA co-ordinates the teaching, student admissions and relationships, and business activities in the United States and Canada under the guidance of the International Harp Therapy Program. On this website you will find all updated opportunities for your education or continuing education as a certified harp therapy practitioner.
In 2019, Christina Tourin created five affiliate programs to continue the work and teaching of the program as she looks toward possible retirement. The International Harp Therapy Program-USA co-ordinates the teaching, student admissions and relationships, and business activities in the United States and Canada under the guidance of the International Harp Therapy Program. On this website you will find all updated opportunities for your education or continuing education as a certified harp therapy practitioner.