High school student plays unique instrument

The harp is one of the earliest instruments made, invented in 3000 B.C. Although it is an old and uncommon instrument, a student at Bettendorf decided to give it a try, and now has been playing for about seven years.

Freshman Sydney Hanson has been playing harp since second grade. Hanson does not remember the exact moment in which she knew she wanted to play the harp, but she does remember a conversation she had with her mom, in which her interest began.

“I don’t remember exactly why I wanted to play, but I do remember my mom talking to me about an orchestra. She mentioned the harp, and I didn’t know what it was, so she explained it to me. I was intrigued. I begged her for almost year to let me play it,” Hanson said.

Hanson has already been in two high school plays playing harp.

“It was very fun but time consuming. It was very worth it and rewarding,” Hanson said.

The high school bought Hanson a harp for her to play at school. In her sixth grade year, she ran into Chris Saito while she was with her mom. Hanson and her mom told Saito that she played the harp and to watch out for her in a few years. Right before Hanson began high school, she found out the school had purchased a harp for her.

Hanson believes the hardest part about playing harp is putting the time into practice since she is very busy.

Hanson owns a Lyon & Healy Chicago Petite 40 pedal harp. She plans to continue playing throughout college.

“I love playing harp because I like being unique,” Hanson said.