{"id":1071,"date":"2025-05-09T14:41:35","date_gmt":"2025-05-09T12:41:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/harpretreat.pl\/?p=1071"},"modified":"2025-05-09T14:41:56","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T12:41:56","slug":"uwaznosc-w-grze-na-harfie-i-rola-bycia-obecnym","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harpretreat.pl\/en\/2025\/05\/09\/uwaznosc-w-grze-na-harfie-i-rola-bycia-obecnym\/","title":{"rendered":"Mindfulness in Harp Playing and the Role of Being Present"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rita Costanzi\u2019s Open Window Master Class<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Author: Marcela M\u00e9ndez<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe shadows we experience often come as the result of the fact that we are standing in the shining of our own light.\u201d<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ralpha Waldo Emersona<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Brazilian Harp Dream<\/u><\/em><\/u><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2013 I was invited by Artistic Director, Alex Klein[1]<\/a>, to be the second teacher in the Harp Program of FEMUSC (Festival de Musica de Santa Catarina \u2013 ) \u2013 a wonderful orchestral Festival that takes place in Jaragua do Sul, Brazil each January. Created and led by Rita Costanzi, this FEMUSC Harp Program\u2019s birth was neither simple nor easy. Rita\u2019s first trip to Brazil was almost canceled, as the Festival at this moment did not actually own any harps. But the harp program was made possible due to one student\u2019s desire: Gustavo Beaklini generously provided his old Lyon & Healy #15 to be used during the Festival. Rita, Gustavo and the other passionate harp student, Leila Reis, all shared this one harp during the program\u2019s first year!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alex Klein wanted to help the development of the instrument. There is no harp factory in Latin America and in general, by the end of the 20th Century, there were not a lot of instruments in good enough condition to be played, so the challenge was huge! But, a \u201cmiracle\u201d took place, as Rita always says. In October 2007, local Brazilian billionaire Wander Weege donated four Lyon and Healy Concert Grand Harps to begin building FEMUSC\u2019s harp program; in the following year, inspired by the Program\u2019s success, he donated twelve more! Lyon & Healy donated a Troubadour Harp. Thus, the future of the harp program was secured!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"We don't know what we would have done without Rita Costanzi. It is not that \u201csomeone else could have done it in her place\u201d. Impossible. A change this remarkable requires, vision, teaching philosophy, and the encouragement of others, particularly her students, to pick up the pieces and embrace the future.\"<\/em>\u00a0 Alex Klein<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 As the Festival only required the use of these harps for two weeks during January, a local harp program developed in the Jaragua do Sul Cultural Center \u2013 \u201cSCAR\u201d in August, 2008, with Talita Martins as the first Teacher. Subsequently, Carolina Ribeiro, Gustavo Beaklini and then Gustavo Jimenez-Peirera continued the important development work of the SCAR Harp Program. SCAR became the \u201chome\u201d of the greatest number of harps in one location in Latin America!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthering the development of the Program, Master Harp Technician, Erich Rase, generously offered to fly to Brazil to begin training interested students and the SCAR piano technician, so that the instruments could be maintained year-round. During this first visit, funded by SCAR and FEMUSC, Erich trained Gustavo Jimenez-Peirera, Gustavo Vieira a harp student from Jaragua and two local piano tuners Mr. Donizete Bonif\u00e1cio and his son, Wellington. The hope is that Wellington will be able to be fully trained at Lyon-Healy and serve the Brazilian Harp Community in the future as a certified, resident technician.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rita\u2019s Teaching: Searching New Horizons<\/u><\/em><\/u><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf the only tool you have is a hammer everything looks like a nail\u201d<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anonymous<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The special, unique and unusual aspect of this Brazilian Harp Paradise is Rita\u2019s teaching. Her approach has been very appropriate in helping Latin-American students develop their artistry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I met Rita for the first time in 2008 during the Rio Harp Festival, and after sharing those days with her, a friendship was born between us. Rita is the kind of musician who is completely outside of the stereotype. Once I accepted to be a part of FEMUSC, Rita told me that every morning, one to two hours would be consecrated to the \u201cJanela Aberta Teaching\u201d (in Portuguese meaning \u201cOpen Window\u201d). I was curious and then, not surprised; after three years, I now know that this is the special moment<\/em><\/strong> for the students and young professionals during the Festival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Rita, herself, explains: „Open Window<\/strong> refers to what flows through me in pure Consciousness in service to everyone in the room. We cover many aspects of spiritual philosophy that serve the students in their challenges with performance fear, anxiety, tension and life issues, plus the usual Master Class format covering The Art of Interpretation, Historical Background on the pieces and Techniques for concentration, memorization, relaxation and awareness\u201d. <\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But I can say that the Open Window is much more than an explanation with words. What Rita brings to the class is Mindfulness<\/em><\/strong>. Many philosophical, spiritual, and psychological traditions emphasize the importance of the quality of Consciousness for the maintenance and enhancement of well-being. The concept of mindfulness has roots in Buddhist and other contemplative traditions where conscious attention and awareness are actively cultivated. It is most commonly defined as the state of being attentive to and aware of what is taking place in the present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rita has the capacity to teach in a non-judgmental, holistic way; during her Master Classes you will witness a student\u2019s inner process \u2013 as Rita zeros in on the, sometimes, deeply buried and\/or blocked emotional issue(s) preventing the student\u2018s ability to perform with inner strength, conviction, joy and true freedom. A student may ultimately cry as the cause of suffering is discovered. Rita calls this \u201cthe crack\u201d; once the crack occurs, then the Light can come through. It is so amazing after a session of two hours of \u201cJanela Aberta\u201d to then attend the Master Class and hear the student play with such passion, artistic conviction, strength and intention, as she\/he begins to understand and reflect on what has transpired. As Rita gently guides each student to awaken in Consciousness, to bring out everything inside that has been blocked due to fear, tension, technical challenges or life history, Rita sees the Soul of the person and helps him or her to overcome all those issues that are not allowing the artistry of the musician to flow out. The day the student understands is the day of the crack; it is the moment of light - the moment of transformation. I have been witness to this transformation. The day after, the playing of the student is just different; you can feel the real Presence of the student\u2019s Soul in his playing, and you can experience mindfulness in musical performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was especially moved by the effects of the Open Window workshop on the younger attendees. These young people, whether in their 20\u2019s or teenagers, are in a stage of self-identification and self-determination. They seek affirmation of themselves and their current career path in a holistic, wholesome way\u2014that is what Open Window offers. It was heart-breaking and then heart-healing to see some of the younger attendees question pre-conceived notions of themselves and their societal pressures, break them down, and then begin to re-build a fresher perception of themselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Virginia Chang, Adult Amateur Harp Student<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rita\u2019s teaching is the guardian of this light that shows that in Rita\u2019s words \u201cthere is always a way\u201d. Students (not only harp students) from all geographies have experienced this transformation. I have been transformed myself by Rita\u2019 philosophy and I am certain that what Rita teaches with her own example is absolutely true: \u201cAs high as you strive to be a better musician, you must strive even higher to become a better human being.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn only twelve days , Rita Costanzi managed to shift and clarify my perception of myself, both as a musician and as a human being, and the world at large. With her seemingly unending knowledge of the harp repertoire and eye-opening anecdotes, Rita makes harpists into musicians.\u201d   Violetta Norrie, Manhattan School of Music<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Now that I have known Rita Costanzi for 10 years, I can say that you never stop learning from her. Her way of seeing the harp is what I feel students need the most: artistry and passion. Every piece has its own background and research; it's extremely helpful for the interpretation. Her unique teaching of the inner work and the morning hour of \"Janela Aberta\" (Open Window) are the most touching moments. I feel that this is what allows the transformation of students\u2019 souls \u2013 creating in them the possibility of becoming great artists.\u201d <\/em>Gustavo <\/em><\/strong>Jimenez-Peirera, harpist, Rio de Janeiro<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Alex Klein<\/strong>Brazilian oboist. Graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Klein became the principal oboist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, where he remained for nine years. Following his departure from the Chicago symphony, in 2004, Klein returned to Brazil where he founded the FEMUSC festival<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In 2013 I was invited by Artistic Director, Alex Klein , to be the second teacher in the Harp Program of FEMUSC (Festival de Musica de Santa Catarina \u2013 ) \u2013 a wonderful orchestral Festival that takes place in Jaragua do Sul, Brazil each January. Created and led by Rita Costanzi, this FEMUSC Harp Program\u2019s...<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1064,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"0","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1071","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bez-kategorii"],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/harpretreat.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1797f43cffbca76b6846b486dd529059.jpg",480,640,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/harpretreat.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1797f43cffbca76b6846b486dd529059-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/harpretreat.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1797f43cffbca76b6846b486dd529059-225x300.jpg",225,300,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/harpretreat.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1797f43cffbca76b6846b486dd529059.jpg",480,640,false],"large":["https:\/\/harpretreat.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1797f43cffbca76b6846b486dd529059.jpg",480,640,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/harpretreat.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1797f43cffbca76b6846b486dd529059.jpg",480,640,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/harpretreat.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1797f43cffbca76b6846b486dd529059.jpg",480,640,false],"trp-custom-language-flag":["https:\/\/harpretreat.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1797f43cffbca76b6846b486dd529059-9x12.jpg",9,12,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/harpretreat.pl\/en\/author\/admin\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Klasa otwartego okna Rity Costanzi Autor: Marcela M\u00e9ndez „Cienie, kt\u00f3rych do\u015bwiadczamy, cz\u0119sto wynikaj\u0105 z faktu, \u017ce stoimy w blasku naszego w\u0142asnego \u015bwiat\u0142a”. Ralpha Waldo Emersona Marzenie o brazylijskiej harfie W 2013 roku zosta\u0142am zaproszona przez Dyrektora Artystycznego, Alexa Kleina[1], do pe\u0142nienia funkcji drugiego nauczyciela w Programie Harfowym FEMUSC (Festival de Musica de Santa Catarina \u2013...","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/harpretreat.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1071","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/harpretreat.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/harpretreat.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harpretreat.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harpretreat.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1071"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/harpretreat.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1071\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1072,"href":"https:\/\/harpretreat.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1071\/revisions\/1072"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harpretreat.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1064"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/harpretreat.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1071"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harpretreat.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1071"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harpretreat.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1071"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}