Vibroacoustic Harp Therapy
VAHT Training
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The Vibroacoustic Harp Therapy Training Course® was introduced in 2006 by Sarajane Williams, to train harpists to provide VAHT®, and to train administrators/medical supervisors to supervise VAHT practitioners.
Prior to 2015, 3-day weekend VAHT Training Courses were offered in Macungie, PA. Now, the VAHT Home Study Training Course is available for purchase here, followed by a 1- or 2-day supervised practicum with a designated VAHT Trainer. |
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Our VAHT Trainers are:
Ian Hepburn, Van Kleek Hill, ONT, Canada
Following graduation from high school, Ian Hepburn, VAHTP, studied communication and music at Carleton
University and received Associate diplomas from the Royal Conservatory of Music in piano performance and piano
pedagogy.
In 2005, Ian was introduced to Sarajane Williams and Vibroacoustic Harp Therapy® (VAHT) at a conference in
Salt Lake City, Utah. Upon completing studies with Ms. Williams, Ian became a certified VAHT practitioner.
Profoundly impressed by the potential of VAHT, Ian introduced this therapy to Hawkesbury & District General
Hospital. The medical staff and administration enthusiastically endorsed VAHT and began the process of establishing
protocol for the use of VAHT in the hospital. In 2007, Hawkesbury General became the first hospital in North
America to offer VAHT to its patients.
In 2008, Ian conducted an investigation into the effects of VAHT on Fibromyalgia – with positive and encouraging
results. The results of this work have been compiled and published in the Harp Therapy Journal. Over the course
of the past 2 years, Ian’s work in Vibroacoustic Harp Therapy has received a full-page article in the Ottawa Citizen
“Good Vibrations,” been the subject of a 22-minute documentary on CBC Radio, “Straight from the Harp,” and has
been presented on CJOH TV’s (CTV) “Regional Contact.”
In addition to his practice as a Vibroacoustic Harp Therapist, Ian teaches piano and harp and leads a ‘healing harps’
workshop at Algonquin College in Ottawa, Ontario. Ian is also a handweaver and has exhibited his work in solo and
group exhibitions across Canada and internationally.
www.vibroacousticharptherapy.ca/about
Carmen, Ka-man Lee, Hong Kong
Carmen is a certified occupational therapist (OT) in Hong Kong with more than 15 years of extensive clinical experience with adult and older populations. At present, she works part-time as a senior lecturer at a local tertiary institute as well as a freelance OT at local community centres. In 2010, Carmen founded a local charity organization “Harping Dream” which gathered Christian harp players to provide volunteer visits in nursing homes, hospitals and support centres.
In 2012, Carmen enrolled in the International Harp Therapy Program (IHTP) under the supervision of Christina Tourin, Liu Shiu Kuo and Laurance Marie. It further consolidated her vision of using the harp to facilitate healing. After graduation from IHTP, Carmen continued her therapeutic harp studies and became a Vibroacoustic Harp Therapy Practitioner (VAHTP) under the supervision of Sarajane Williams in 2017.
In 2017, Carmen started her own studio, ‘Harpmony Studio,’ the first company in Hong Kong to deliver and promote harp therapy services. Her studio also provides harp therapy visits and educational programs at community service centres such as rehabilitation centres, homes for the elderly and nursing homes. As the IHTP-Asia Director, Carmen oversees IHTP affiliate programs in the Asian region. She organizes courses for general public and acts as mentor for educating future therapeutic harp practitioners. Since 2017, Carmen has been using a 47-string pedal harp and a liquid sound vibroacoustic table (made by Inner Soulutions) to provide Vibroacoustic Harp Therapy at her studio.
Carmen believes that harp music is a powerful tool that can be used to create a cradle of sound that promotes natural healing among humankind, and the harp therapist gratefully adds a healing presence.
www.harpmony.com
Laurence Marie, Shediac, NB, Canada (1946-2021)
Laurence Marie, B.Mus., CTHP, VAHTP, said that music and health have played major roles in her life. Prior to
coming to Canada, she completed her nursing studies in England and worked in the field both in England and France.
Laurence also held a music degree from U of Moncton, NB. Through various losses and battles with health issues
she began searching for alternative healing modalities, a quest which led her to study naturopathy and homeopathy.
While a facilitator for the cancer support group “Virage” and a volunteer at the Oncology department, Laurence became
inspired to explore ways to combine healing and music which led her to the International Harp Therapy Program
(IHTP) in San Diego, CA. In 2001, she graduated as a Certified Therapeutic Harp Practitioner and in 2006 as a
Certified Vibroacoustic Harp Therapist from the VAHT training course. She was a mentor and practicum supervisor for
the IHTP and had a private practice with offices in Moncton and in Shediac, NB.
We are so fortunate to have recordings of her teachings included in this training course.
Mary Stevens, Havre, MT, USA
Mary Stevens, VAHTP, a life-long, mostly self-taught musician, has been involved in music ministry for all of
her adult life. She has gained experience through church music, school music programs, community programs, and
theatre/drama groups. Since 2010, her passion has been therapeutic bedside music and Vibroacoustic Harp Therapy.
Trained through Harp for Healing Certified Clinical Musician Program, International Harp Therapy Program, and
Vibroacoustic Harp Therapy Training Program, she utilizes her therapeutic music skills in care facilities and in private
The Vibroacoustic Harp Therapy Training Course practice in northcentral Montana, where she also serves the community of Havre, Montana through music lessons, church music, and accompanying various choirs utilizing the piano, organ, or harp. She studied energy medicine through the Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry Program.
Her musical service to the community was rewarded with several awards from Havre High School and two statewide
awards from the Montana Health Care Association. She is the current owner and program manager for Harp for
Healing, which offers the Clinical Musician Certification program for therapeutic musicians (HarpforHealing.com),
and is a board member of the National Standards Board for Therapeutic Musicians (www.NSBTM.org).
www.harpforhealing.com/index.php/clinical-musician-certification-program/program-mentors
Sarajane Williams, Macungie, PA, USA
Sarajane Williams, M.A., licensed psychologist, CCM, VAHT, is a professional harpist, harp teacher, composer,
lecturer, author of The Mythic Harp, Good Vibrations: Principles of Vibroacoustic Harp Therapy and Music and the
Harp in 18th-century Pennsylvania German Culture, producer of the 3-DVD set, Therapeutic Harp: Ancient legacy,
sound science, clinical applications and is also publishing editor of The Harp Therapy Journal. Sarajane has recorded
eight harp CDs, and is a signed recording artist with Sounds True. She also has over 40 years of experience in various roles in the healing arts including: nurse, cardiopulmonary technologist, director of a cardiac catheterization laboratory and biofeedback therapist in a chronic pain center. Williams is was a founding board member of the National Standards Board for Therapeutic Musicians.
She has a private psychology and harp therapy practice located in Macungie, Pa. Sarajane studied harp with
Dorothy Knauss of Allentown, Pa., and received her master’s degree in counseling psychology from Kutztown
University. She and her husband, classical guitarist Ted Williams, often perform together as The Williams Duo. In
addition, Sarajane also serves as president of the Lower Macungie Township Historical Society.
Following graduation from high school, Ian Hepburn, VAHTP, studied communication and music at Carleton
University and received Associate diplomas from the Royal Conservatory of Music in piano performance and piano
pedagogy.
In 2005, Ian was introduced to Sarajane Williams and Vibroacoustic Harp Therapy® (VAHT) at a conference in
Salt Lake City, Utah. Upon completing studies with Ms. Williams, Ian became a certified VAHT practitioner.
Profoundly impressed by the potential of VAHT, Ian introduced this therapy to Hawkesbury & District General
Hospital. The medical staff and administration enthusiastically endorsed VAHT and began the process of establishing
protocol for the use of VAHT in the hospital. In 2007, Hawkesbury General became the first hospital in North
America to offer VAHT to its patients.
In 2008, Ian conducted an investigation into the effects of VAHT on Fibromyalgia – with positive and encouraging
results. The results of this work have been compiled and published in the Harp Therapy Journal. Over the course
of the past 2 years, Ian’s work in Vibroacoustic Harp Therapy has received a full-page article in the Ottawa Citizen
“Good Vibrations,” been the subject of a 22-minute documentary on CBC Radio, “Straight from the Harp,” and has
been presented on CJOH TV’s (CTV) “Regional Contact.”
In addition to his practice as a Vibroacoustic Harp Therapist, Ian teaches piano and harp and leads a ‘healing harps’
workshop at Algonquin College in Ottawa, Ontario. Ian is also a handweaver and has exhibited his work in solo and
group exhibitions across Canada and internationally.
www.vibroacousticharptherapy.ca/about
Carmen, Ka-man Lee, Hong Kong
Carmen is a certified occupational therapist (OT) in Hong Kong with more than 15 years of extensive clinical experience with adult and older populations. At present, she works part-time as a senior lecturer at a local tertiary institute as well as a freelance OT at local community centres. In 2010, Carmen founded a local charity organization “Harping Dream” which gathered Christian harp players to provide volunteer visits in nursing homes, hospitals and support centres.
In 2012, Carmen enrolled in the International Harp Therapy Program (IHTP) under the supervision of Christina Tourin, Liu Shiu Kuo and Laurance Marie. It further consolidated her vision of using the harp to facilitate healing. After graduation from IHTP, Carmen continued her therapeutic harp studies and became a Vibroacoustic Harp Therapy Practitioner (VAHTP) under the supervision of Sarajane Williams in 2017.
In 2017, Carmen started her own studio, ‘Harpmony Studio,’ the first company in Hong Kong to deliver and promote harp therapy services. Her studio also provides harp therapy visits and educational programs at community service centres such as rehabilitation centres, homes for the elderly and nursing homes. As the IHTP-Asia Director, Carmen oversees IHTP affiliate programs in the Asian region. She organizes courses for general public and acts as mentor for educating future therapeutic harp practitioners. Since 2017, Carmen has been using a 47-string pedal harp and a liquid sound vibroacoustic table (made by Inner Soulutions) to provide Vibroacoustic Harp Therapy at her studio.
Carmen believes that harp music is a powerful tool that can be used to create a cradle of sound that promotes natural healing among humankind, and the harp therapist gratefully adds a healing presence.
www.harpmony.com
Laurence Marie, Shediac, NB, Canada (1946-2021)
Laurence Marie, B.Mus., CTHP, VAHTP, said that music and health have played major roles in her life. Prior to
coming to Canada, she completed her nursing studies in England and worked in the field both in England and France.
Laurence also held a music degree from U of Moncton, NB. Through various losses and battles with health issues
she began searching for alternative healing modalities, a quest which led her to study naturopathy and homeopathy.
While a facilitator for the cancer support group “Virage” and a volunteer at the Oncology department, Laurence became
inspired to explore ways to combine healing and music which led her to the International Harp Therapy Program
(IHTP) in San Diego, CA. In 2001, she graduated as a Certified Therapeutic Harp Practitioner and in 2006 as a
Certified Vibroacoustic Harp Therapist from the VAHT training course. She was a mentor and practicum supervisor for
the IHTP and had a private practice with offices in Moncton and in Shediac, NB.
We are so fortunate to have recordings of her teachings included in this training course.
Mary Stevens, Havre, MT, USA
Mary Stevens, VAHTP, a life-long, mostly self-taught musician, has been involved in music ministry for all of
her adult life. She has gained experience through church music, school music programs, community programs, and
theatre/drama groups. Since 2010, her passion has been therapeutic bedside music and Vibroacoustic Harp Therapy.
Trained through Harp for Healing Certified Clinical Musician Program, International Harp Therapy Program, and
Vibroacoustic Harp Therapy Training Program, she utilizes her therapeutic music skills in care facilities and in private
The Vibroacoustic Harp Therapy Training Course practice in northcentral Montana, where she also serves the community of Havre, Montana through music lessons, church music, and accompanying various choirs utilizing the piano, organ, or harp. She studied energy medicine through the Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry Program.
Her musical service to the community was rewarded with several awards from Havre High School and two statewide
awards from the Montana Health Care Association. She is the current owner and program manager for Harp for
Healing, which offers the Clinical Musician Certification program for therapeutic musicians (HarpforHealing.com),
and is a board member of the National Standards Board for Therapeutic Musicians (www.NSBTM.org).
www.harpforhealing.com/index.php/clinical-musician-certification-program/program-mentors
Sarajane Williams, Macungie, PA, USA
Sarajane Williams, M.A., licensed psychologist, CCM, VAHT, is a professional harpist, harp teacher, composer,
lecturer, author of The Mythic Harp, Good Vibrations: Principles of Vibroacoustic Harp Therapy and Music and the
Harp in 18th-century Pennsylvania German Culture, producer of the 3-DVD set, Therapeutic Harp: Ancient legacy,
sound science, clinical applications and is also publishing editor of The Harp Therapy Journal. Sarajane has recorded
eight harp CDs, and is a signed recording artist with Sounds True. She also has over 40 years of experience in various roles in the healing arts including: nurse, cardiopulmonary technologist, director of a cardiac catheterization laboratory and biofeedback therapist in a chronic pain center. Williams is was a founding board member of the National Standards Board for Therapeutic Musicians.
She has a private psychology and harp therapy practice located in Macungie, Pa. Sarajane studied harp with
Dorothy Knauss of Allentown, Pa., and received her master’s degree in counseling psychology from Kutztown
University. She and her husband, classical guitarist Ted Williams, often perform together as The Williams Duo. In
addition, Sarajane also serves as president of the Lower Macungie Township Historical Society.
VAHT Graduates
Spring 2006:
Bell, Margaret (Waterloo, Canada)
Bewley, Anne (Center Sandwich, NH)
Dowdy, Ann (Salt Lake City, UT)
Edelson, Lynette (Alta Loma, CA)
Hepburn, Ian (Van Kleek Hill, ON, Canada)
Leschied, Anita (Woodslee, ON, Canada)
Lytle, Rebecca (Franklin, PA)
Fall 2006:
Chapman, Betsy (Boyertown, PA)
Marie, Laurence (Shediac, NB, Canada)
Mintz, Dr. Mary (Traverse City, MI)
Sawchuk, Jennifer (New Market, MD)
Spring 2008:
Benson, Stella (Lummi Island, WA)
Brennan, Kathy (Little Compton, RI)
Galante, Gloria (Morrisville, NJ)
McClure, Lynn (Winnipeg, MB, Canada)
Morris, Kathy (Corvallis, OR)
Spannagel, Susan (Saylorsburg, PA)
Tokoro, Rei (Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan)
Wright, Pixie (Lebanon, PA)
Sept. 2009:
Carol Joy Loeb (Ellicott City, MD)
Fall 2009:
Bereris, Christos (L’Original, ON, Canada)
Kuckenbrod, Lynda (Huntington, PA)
Livolsi, Candace (Redding, CA)
Miller, Stephanie (Shaler, PA)
Pearce, Jan (Calgary, AL, Canada)
Ross, Canada (Edmonton, AL, Canada)
Smith, Julie Ann (Anchor Point, AK)
Fall 2010:
Bethune, Virginia (Harrisonburg, VA)
Crouthamel, Leah (Quakertown, PA)
Hulley, Tim (Seattle, WA)
Peffley, Lisa (Harleysville, PA)
Settle, Paula (New Holstein, WI)
Fall 2011:
Cauffman, Jan (Malvern, PA)
Franceil, Sondra (Fort Valley, GA)
Krone-Schmitt, Ulrike (Baden-Baden, Germany)
Kunkel, Kate (Markham, ON, Canada)
Stevens, Mary (Havre, MT)
Wynn, Lisa (Edmond, OK)
Summer 2012:
Renzo, Aannabelle (Montreal, Canada)
Spring 2013:
Byron, Judy (Waterbury, VT)
Fransen, Kathy (Jackson, MN)
Hamilton, Anthony (Land O Lakes, FL)
Kibble, Betty (Lodi, CA)
Klein, Dr. Lisa (Louisville, KY)
Strobel, Alaina (Providence Village, TX)
Fall 2014:
Baessler, Maura (Destin, FL)
Bowman-Green, Carole (Wrightsville Beach, NC)
Danis, Dawn (Chatham, NY)
Defenbaugh, Nicole (Bethlehem, PA)
DeVale, Sue Carole (St. Petersburg, FL)
Dowding, Arlis (Omaha, NE)
Guggenheim, Claire (Surf City, NJ)
Johnson, Dr. Kelly S. (Naperville, IL)
Mayer, Cyndy (Lehighton, PA)
Middleton, Christine (Portarlington, Australia)
Stephens, Margaret (Thetford Hill, VT)
Stowe, Karen (Norfolk, VA)
Unger, Dr. Karen (Lithia, FL)
Summer 2017:
Ka Man Lee (Tsuen Wan, New Territories, Hong Kong)
Spring 2018:
Allen, Barbara (Orangeburg, NY)
Brockow, Hannah (Montreal, QC, Canada)
Summer 2018:
Little, Maryalice (Painted Post, NY)
Fall 2018:
Kuras, Kathleen (Billings, MT)
Tan, Christina (Singapore, SG)
Winter 2019:
Giorgi, Dr. Diane (New York, NY)
Winter 2020:
Mak, Deborah (Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong)
Summer 2021:
Karen Thueme (St. Clair, MI)
Silvia Maserati (Milan, Italy)
Christine Van Den Bossche (Gooik, Belgium)
Elizabeth VanWinkle (Pueblo, CO)
Spring 2022:
Marianne Gubri (Bologna, Italy)
Rachel Saenger (Georgetown, TX)
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