Anne Crosby Gaudet – Nova Scotia

harpist . teacher . composer . pianist

Autumn. If I Were a Season… I would choose Autumn. Living in Nova Scotia, autumn brings brilliant colours, softer light, cooler air, and a sense of reflection. It is a season of gratitude and transition. Much of my music carries that same feeling – gentle, thoughtful, and rooted in the beauty of ordinary moments. Autumn reminds us to slow down, notice the details, and appreciate the changing landscape around us. That spirit is at the heart of both my music and my teaching. – Anne

I picked up my first harp in 2011 and haven’t put it down since! Making the transition from piano to harp has led me down a rewarding path that has included harp therapy, composing, teaching and publishing. Classically trained with a Masters degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Michigan, I have operated a thriving independent piano studio for over 30 years.

Early in my teaching career I began composing music for my young piano students. Now my compositions are featured in the exam syllabi for the Royal Conservatory of Music, the London College of Music and the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.

In 2020 I pivoted my music studio to online harp lessons and currently I work with adult students across the globe. I’m a creative and insightful music educator with a passion for encouraging lifelong learning at the harp. I specialize in composing piano and harp music that is carefully crafted with teachable moments and thoughtful expression. – Anne Crosby Gaudet

Anne Crosby Gaudet is a Canadian harpist, composer, educator, recording artist, and independent publisher based in Nova Scotia. Through her online teaching studio and Music Discoveries platform, she has helped thousands of adult learners around the world discover the joy of making music.

Anne has worked as a music educator for more than thirty years, teaching students from age six to eighty-six. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Acadia University and a Master’s Degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Michigan. She was awarded the D.H. Baldwin Fellowship Award for Excellence in Group and Private Piano Instruction and earned Royal Conservatory Gold Medals in both Harp and Piano.

Although professionally trained as a pianist, Anne came to the harp as an adult learner. That experience shaped her teaching philosophy and gave her a deep understanding of the challenges and rewards faced by adult students. Her calm, encouraging teaching style has attracted a worldwide community of harpists who learn through her online lessons, video courses, YouTube channel, and published sheet music.

Anne is also a Certified Clinical Musician through Harps for Healing and spent four years providing therapeutic harp music in a long-term care facility specializing in dementia care. The experience deeply influenced her approach to music, improvisation, and the healing potential of the harp.

Today Anne self-publishes her compositions and arrangements through Music Discoveries and has released nine albums featuring both harp and piano music. A tenth album of original harp compositions is scheduled for release in Summer 2026. In addition to composing, teaching, and recording, she produces all of her own audio recordings, videos, photography, and digital media.

My Harp Journey
My musical life began at the piano. I studied piano performance and pedagogy and spent many
years teaching, accompanying, adjudicating music festivals, and working as a church musician.
The harp entered my life much later. As an adult learner, I became captivated by its sound and
began studying with harpist Katherine Fitch-Loza. I completed Royal Conservatory Harp Levels
4, 6, and 8 in under two years while continuing to maintain a busy teaching studio.
Because I came to the instrument later in life, I understand firsthand what it feels like to start
from the beginning, develop new physical skills, and build confidence one step at a time. That
perspective has become one of the greatest strengths of my teaching and composing.
Contributions and Explorations
My work focuses primarily on creating accessible and beautiful music for adult harpists. Much
of my composing is inspired by the landscapes, seasons, and coastal beauty of Atlantic Canada.
I have published hundreds of harp arrangements and original compositions ranging from
beginner to advanced levels. My music is used by students, performers, therapeutic musicians,
and lifelong learners around the world.
I am particularly interested in:

• Supporting adult beginners and returning musicians
• Therapeutic and contemplative harp music
• Lever harp repertoire
• Small harp arrangements
• Nature-inspired composition
• Online music education
• Independent music publishing and digital content creation

My YouTube channel has become an important part of this work, allowing me to share
performances, tutorials, and educational resources with a global audience.

Connection to Canada and Canadian Harp Music
I have lived and worked in Canada throughout my career. Growing up and living in Nova Scotia
has deeply influenced my musical voice.

Many of my original compositions draw inspiration from the landscapes, shorelines, changing
seasons, and coastal communities of Atlantic Canada. Pieces such as Maritime Lullaby,
Farewell, With Glowing Hearts, and Mermaid’s Tears reflect my connection to place and to
Canadian musical storytelling.

I have also travelled extensively across Canada as a music festival piano adjudicator and have
spent decades contributing to Canadian music education through teaching, composing, and
publishing.

Career Highlights

• Music educator for more than 30 years
• Founder of Music Discoveries
• Online harp teacher serving students worldwide
• Certified Clinical Musician (Harps for Healing)
• Nine independently released albums, with a tenth album to be released in Summer 202
• Published hundreds of harp arrangements and original compositions
• Music festival piano adjudicator across Canada
• Creator of one of the largest online libraries of educational harp resources for adult
  learners

COMING TO THE HARP AS AN ADULT
Many people assume I studied harp from childhood, but I actually came to the instrument as an
adult after years of professional work as a pianist. Beginning again as a beginner gave me a
completely new appreciation for the learning process and continues to shape how I teach today.

HARP IN DEMENTIA CARE
One of the most meaningful chapters of my musical life was working as a therapeutic harpist in a
long-term care facility for residents living with dementia. Music often reached people when
words no longer could. Those experiences continue to influence my compositions and
improvisations.

BUILDING A GLOBAL HARP COMMUNITY
When I began teaching online harp lessons in 2019, I never imagined that students from around
the world would become part of my musical community. Today I work with learners across
multiple continents, helping adults discover that it is never too late to learn an instrument.

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