Emma Yates-Butler
Originally from Harrogate,
Emma was fortunate to be taught to play the harp by local harpist,
her Great Aunt - Dorothy Gilbertson from the age of 8. Whilst
studying with Dorothy, Emma regularly competed in festivals and
went through Grades 1- 8 with ABRSM. She also took part in the
local area schools Orchestra, North Yorkshire County Orchestra
and the Northern Junior Philharmonic Orchestra. At University in
York, Emma was a member of the University of York Symphony Orchestra
and went on tour to Greece in 1999. She also studied with Frank
Sternfeld at this time.
Emma came across the International Harp Therapy Programme in 2002,
and in 2003 visited California, bought a Therapy Harp and started
to study Creative Improvisation with Christina Tourin. Graduating
from the program as a Certified Harp Therapy Practitioner in 2008,
Emma was also a trained doula working with women giving birth and
she was able to bring the harp into the hospital setting this way,
as well as completing a practicum at St. James' Hospital in Leeds
with a resident spiritual healer.
Emma offers the beginners course, Rainbow of Sound, in York privately,
as well as at the York Steiner School where her children are pupils.
She now has a thriving home teaching studio where she continues
to teach all ages.