Day 3 Concert Day Ritual HARPRIL 2026

Day 3 - Concert Day Ritual

Concert days have a rhythm of their own.

I start by checking my music and making sure everything is in order, then tune the harp and warm up with a few familiar pieces before working through anything newer or tricky.

Packing is its own system. My extra strings, drum stool, music stand, tripod, and music book all go into my suitcase. My tuner, tuning key, notebook with gig details, pens, sticky notes… and snacks go in my bag (priorities). The harp gets packed up in its three-piece case.

Then I get ready—black dress, hair up, makeup, and pearls. I grab a drink (most of the time coffee!) and load everything into the van. The harp and my purse are always last.

Before I leave, I write down my mileage and pull up the address in Waze, then do one final mental checklist: harp, book, stand, stool, tuner, business cards.

I usually arrive an hour before playing time to set up. Once everything is in place, I let the harp adjust before tuning, play through a song or two to check acoustics and lighting, and then take a quick walk before it is time to begin.

It is a lot of little steps—but by the time I sit down to play, everything feels calm, prepared, and ready.

After my part of the event is finished, I pack up and head home. On the drive, I replay the day in my mind—holding onto the moments I loved, noting what I learned, and tucking away ideas for next time.
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And when I finally get home, my dinner of choice is almost always ramen and chicken nuggets. Simple, comforting, and a little bit of childhood at the end of a long day.

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