STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:
To instill the love of music & provide the tools needed to create music with the harp so that student and listener alike will experience more beauty and pleasure through sound.
Rates:
30-Minute Lesson...........................................$25.00
45- Minute Lesson..........................................$35.00
One Hour Lesson...........................................$45.00
Weekly lessons are recommended for all students to ensure continual progress, and are required for beginners. I offer lessons to anyone age 7 and up. Previous musical experience is not required to begin. Payments for a full month of lessons will be received the first lesson of each month. I accept personal checks or cash.
Curriculum:
Personalized one-on-one instruction
Technique training
Solo repertoire
Instrument maintenance
Music theory program
History of the harp
Orchestral excerpts (when appropriate)
Performance skills
Performance opportunities:
Spring recital
Holiday party & recital
Special outings to retirement homes or hospitals
Group classes
Harp ensemble
How to register:
Contact Suzanne directly: 630-995-5301 or harpist@mahoganyharp.com
Lessons are scheduled by semester: fall and spring. Lessons are available for the summer on request and are subject to flexibility. 
Chosing a harp:
Choosing a harp is big decision not only because of the expense but also because the harp you choose could be your faithful companion for years to come. Because harps are hand-crafted instruments, each one has its own "personality." It is important to make sure that you choose a harp that fits your body size, musical taste, and budget. All of these factors play an important part in creating a wonderful, long-term relationship with your harp.
Lever Harps - The smaller of the harp family is called the lever or troubador harp. This harp is generally used to play the folk and celtic style music. The mechanism of this harp is quite simple and easy to learn. The harps themselves are small enough to be easily portable and sizes ranges from 2 1/2 ocatve lap harps to 4 1/2 octave floor harps. These are ideal for young children who are just starting lessons and are the most affordable option. Prices usually range from $800.00 to $6,000.00. Visit the resources 
page to find useful links for locating companies who craft lever harps.
Pedal Harps - The pedal harp is the largest in the harp family and is the type of harp seen most often in orchestral settings and the on concert stage. The mechanism of this harp is controlled by seven pedals at the base of the harp which are manipulated by both feet. The pedal harp is a more challenging instrument to learn but accommodates a much larger span of musical repertoire such as classical, pop, jazz, sacred, new age, folk, and much more. Most students begin the study of pedal harp after first spending some time learning the lever harp. Pedal harps are a much bigger investment and require a higher level of dedication to move and maintain. There are three basic sizes of pedal harp: Petite Grand, Semi-Grand, and Concert Grand. Depending on your height and projected growth, you should choose the best fit. I always recommend playing the harp before making the purchase to ensure that the harp has a good tone, is a comfortable fit, and that the action is the proper tension. Also, think about how you want to use the harp. Will it be used for pleasure in the home or be frequently moved outside the home for performance purposes? The larger the harp, the bigger the sound. Pedal harps are priced at approx. $10,000 and up. The average pedal harp sells for approximately $25,000. Some major harp manufacturers are included in the recourses list.
Rent or Purchase? If you are not certain that the harp is the instrument for you, there are rental programs available from most major harp companies that allow you to "test drive" the instrument for a short amount of time. There are also rent-to-own programs in which your monthly payments are later credited towards the purchase of the instrument. I highly recommend taking lessons for a few months and renting a harp before committing to purchase one. Once you are sure that the harp is a good fit for you, financing options are available to make the purchase of a new harp attainable, or just buy it outright!
Instrument/Music Resources*
Lyon & Healy Harps – Chicago, IL & Salt Lake City, UT
W & W Musical Instrument Company (Venus Harps) – Chicago, IL
Virginia Harp Center – Midlothian, VA
Vanderbilt Music Company – Bloomington, IN
Sylvia Woods Harp Center – Montrose, CA
Blevins Harps - Grand Junction, CO
Dusty Strings - Seattle WA
The Harp Connection – Salem, MA
Publications/Associations*
* Disclaimer: List for reference only. Suzanne Ballam is not affiliated with any listed company and holds no bias towards any particular harp manufacturer or dealer.