Mia Theodoratus

Africa by Toto on Harp

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 05:04:30 +0000

I had a request for “Africa” by Toto. In spite of myself I became a little obsessed. So here is a video of my arrangement for harp from my small, low-tech Brooklyn apartment.

Electric Harp in New York City: Soundscapes, Rock and Avant-Garde Sounds

Wed, 12 Mar 2014 18:51:55 +0000

Experience a true electric solid-body harp with everything that turns background music into a soundscape straight out of Alice in Wonderland.

I have all analog effects, a wonderful purple Camac harp with a matching purple sparkle Ampeg amplifier and the knowledge and attitude to make your event, concert or opening stand out.

The musicians I work with are all amazing artists, not cookie-cutter background music performers.

Here are some examples from YouTube.

Soundscape from the main stage of the Abrons Arts Center

Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring live at the Box in NYC

the Dio classic “Rainbow in the Dark” from the Gramercy Hotel

and my 1998 rock band Vardo with pictures from the Williamsburg McCarren Park Pool when it was cool and empty!

Here is a link to a beautiful record I did that was released in Europe.
Soft Focus on Apple Music

Soundscape for Wave Hill Botanical Garden Oct 26 & 27 12-1:30

Wed, 23 Oct 2013 03:22:49 +0000

I am so excited to be playing with Brandee Younger and the NYC Harp Orchestra on Saturday and Sunday. We are playing traditional Irish tunes, an improvisational sound piece and, of course, Brandee will be adding a jazz solo! It is free and not to be missed.

Here is all the info.

It is FREE and there will be supplies for kids (and adults) to make fairy wands and fairy castles!

Sirens in Surround Sound: An Acoustic Evening, Nov 26, 2012, 7pm

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 04:19:53 +0000

In this concert Susan Allen, Michael Evans, Masami Tomihisa and I will take the road less traveled and surround our audience with the pure, unamplified tones of two harps, four marimbas and a prepared celesta. I truly cannot wait to play this one in this amazing space.

My teacher, mentor and friend (and one of the best gosh darn harpists in the world) Susan Allen is flying in for a rare NYC appearance. After we break the ice with a few composed works we will see exactly what mentor, student and musical friends have to say to each other.

Here is the more official write-up on Facebook.

Websites

Susan Allen

Michael Evans

covert info about agent Lary 7

Flyer designed by Mia Theodoratus. I did cheat and had an unnamed computer gentleman help with layout.

: The back details. A more formal description of the amazing delights to be had on Nov 26th, 2012

Gagarin Records releases the first Soft Focus 7-inch in Germany! September 2012

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 04:06:15 +0000

Felix over at Gagarin Records has finally released a 7-inch of Soft Focus featuring Jimi Tenor, Lary 7 and me (Mia Theodoratus!). I have a few copies and there are still some for sale in Germany. You can hop over the pond and get one which is more romantic and full of adventure or you can buy it from Gagarin Records.

Songs filled with yearning of a time that seems to bear no relation to our present day; is it the future or the past? Nobody knows. Nostalgic sounds merged with foreign melodies, seductive and poised at the same time. Soft Focus consists of the post-Afrofuturist Jimi Tenor, the harpist Mia Theodoratus, and the sound-sculpturer Lary 7. The trio seduces us into a world between a forbidden planet and a Chinese opium salon.

One side: Emergence Delirium (4:15)
Other side: Sleep Terrors 2 (4:04)

cover of the Soft Focus 7 inch: Soft Focus – Emergence Delirium

NYC Harp Orchestra Christmas Show on Monday Dec 10 7pm

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 03:55:55 +0000

The NYC Harp Orchestra will have its first Christmas concert on Monday Dec 10 at Theatre 80 St. Marks, 80 St. Marks Place, between 1st and 2nd Avenues. It will be an evening of harps, song, dance and fun! Tickets will be $10.

NYC Harp Orchestra Rocks the Westerleigh Folk Festival 2012

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 03:51:42 +0000

Where to go after Lincoln Center? Play the main stage at the Westerleigh Folk Festival! Nine members of the NYC Harp Orchestra showed up and we put on a Celtic variety show that would make Celtic Woman proud. We were invited to play the Snug Harbor festival in May and I hope we will perfect our ensemble to grace many stages with harp mayhem in 2013.

Scarborough Fair and Brian Boru

Russell Brown in mid-air as I harp

: So many harpists: it is hard to get the whole NYC Harp Orchestra in one shot!

NYC Harp Orchestra Debut at Lincoln Center

Sun, 26 Aug 2012 02:15:03 +0000

The NYC Harp Orchestra had its first concert at Lincoln Center Out of Doors! We played after the rain. The next show will have the complete group. We had a great time and inspired and bewitched a wonderful audience.

The Sally Garden in the Garden

Here we are doing Brian Boru

President Obama: Concert with Irish Tenor David O’Leary

Sun, 20 May 2012 22:18:03 +0000

David and I played by invitation for President Obama, Speaker Boehner and Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny. I wish I could start every day with pipes and drums! David and I played a short program with “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling,” “Danny Boy” and “The Leprechaun.” David has one of the rare soaring voices and playing with him felt like being on a cloud (OK, I am a harpist, so I can use an angel metaphor!)

We got great coverage, from the LA Times to the Huffington Post.

Video of Mia and David playing for President Obama

I Am Teaching in France at Susan Allen’s Summer Camp

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:15:11 +0000

What is better than playing harp all summer?

Well, that is easy: playing harp all summer in a beautiful French villa with international harpist and improviser Susan Allen and learning how to turn improvisation into composition. The real world functions like this: some show or movie needs original cleared harp music in about 2 hours. Recorded professionally and ready to go… I was really lucky that I had studied with Susie because otherwise when I got the call I would not have been ready.

I am going to write more, but the course is reasonably priced and includes harps (most places charge), amazing food and some of the best views in the world.

Hope to see you there!!!