Serena
and her 100 year old Harp
Serena O'Meara began studying Harp during a summer music camp at University of Wisconsin-Madison
with Margaret Cooper. She continued her studies at the University of Minnesota,
receiving a Bachelor of Science with Distinction in Music Therapy, doing an
internship
at the Menninger Foundation in Topeka, Kansas. Following her internship,
Serena worked as a Music Therapist for Veterans Administration
Medical Centers, first in Topeka, Kansas and later in Temple,
Texas, and taught elementary music in Idaho. During this time
Serena continued to study Harp with Margaret Ling at the University
of Kansas and Gayle Barrington at the University of Texas, while performing
professionally in various areas of the country.
The most recent portion of Serena's career
began in 1986 when she moved to Menomonie, Wisconsin and married Robert Foley, a
Physics Professor at University of Wisconsin-Stout. Since then Serena has been
involved in a number of projects and activities. Serena maintains a teaching
studio for folk and pedal Harp to over
forty students( young people & adults). Serena has produced an instruction video tape "EXPERIENCING THE HARP", and has recorded
and released six solo Harp tapes, "COLLAGE ",
"WIND BENEATH MY WINGS",
"A CHRISTMAS HARP",
"ONE MOMENT IN TIME", "MUSIC OF THE NIGHT"
and "MOMENT OF MY HEART". Serena has edited a two volume collection of folk music for the
Harp, has published sheet music arrangements for harp duet and
ensemble performance, and has appeared in a segment of PRIME TIME WISCONSIN.
Serena also plays a wide variety of engagements from weddings,
receptions, festivals, business gatherings, dining clubs, private affairs,
and concerts. She is currently Principal Harpist with the Chippewa Valley
Symphony in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Serena has studied with
Gladys Hubner of Minneapolis, who studied with Marcel Grandjany;
and performed with the Minnesota Orchestra. Serena also studied with
Eileen Malone, Professor Emeritus at Eastman School of Music,
Rochester, New York.