Carla Bray - Harpist

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Easter Brunch at the VCC
2008-03-24 18:26:00
I performed for Easter Brunch at the Virginia Country Club, a location that I perform at regularly for Easter Brunch, Mother’s Day Brunch, and Thanksgiving. It was such a beautiful day, and a good turnout as usual. The VCC puts on a beautiful brunch every time. This year included an Easter Bunny petting zoo, how cute ...

Valentine?s Day - February 14
2008-02-04 19:40:00
Looking for the perfect setting for an elegant dinner this Valentine ’s Day? Come to McCormick & Schmick’s in El Segundo! I’ll be performing all your favorite jazz standards and romantic ballads from 5PM to 10PM. Nothing says romance more than live harp music… McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant Thursday February 14, 2008 Live Music from 5PM-10PM 2101 Rosecrans Avenue El ...

Wedding Album 2007 - A Look Back
2008-01-08 00:14:00
The end of one year and the start of the next year always brings a time of reflection. 2007 has been a great year with many opportunities for me: the 2007 MTV VMA show with Kanye West, some great orchestral performances with great music, lots of parties and special events. And, of course, weddings…many, many weddings! ...
More About: Wedding , Back , Album

Holiday Season in Full Swing
2007-12-17 20:07:00
We’re here again - the holiday season. December is always a busy month filled with holiday parties, orchestra concerts, and church services. This December has definitely been a busy one, but also a fun one! I’ve provided holiday event and party music for several private and corporate events. These were clients that have asked me back ...
More About: Holiday , Season , Full , Swing , Full Swing

Thanksgiving Day Brunch
2007-11-26 22:38:00
It was my second year in a row to perform at the Virginia Country Club in Long Beach. There are some places where I return to perform again and again, and I love being able to come back to a familiar and friendly place like the VCC. I was set up in the entryway ...
More About: Thanksgiving , Brunch , Thanksgiving Day , Hank

October is Arts Month in Long Beach
2007-10-19 20:09:00
It’s October …that means it’s Arts Month in the City of Long Beach ! Lots of activities going on the whole month, check it out! Last year (and again this year) the City of Long Beach Arts Council held a contest in celebration of Arts Month for the “Faces of Long Beach Artists”. I was chosen in 2006, ...

Vegas Baby?
2007-09-13 22:46:00
It was a Las Vega s weekend. I performed with Kanye West for the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards and at the Rolling Stone Party at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Being a classically-trained harpist, I never thought I would get the opportunity to do this kind of work, that’s for sure! I have performed ...
More About: Baby

Torrance Symphony Concert In The Park
2007-08-27 21:23:00
Sunday August 26th was the annual summer concert with Torrance Symphony , held outdoors at Wilson Park in Torrance. I have performed at this annual concert for many years now, so I pretty much know what to expect…or so I thought! It was a nice, cool, overcast day. We all rather enjoyed that for a change, since ...
More About: Concert , Cert

When is it Best to Book an Event?
2007-07-30 18:40:00
Weddings, receptions, corporate parties, bridal showers, baby showers, graduations, anniversaries, birthdays…all kinds of special events occur all throughout the year. Some months of the year tend to be much busier than other months. As a special event and wedding harpist in Los Angeles and Orange County, I have seen these regular trends throughout the past ...
More About: Event , Book , Vent

Mozart Festival in San Luis Obispo, CA
2007-07-16 23:03:00
Last week I performed in the opening night concert and open rehearsal for the summer Moza rt Festival , held annualy in San Luis Obispo, CA. I’ve performed various orchestral concerts as a harpist in San Luis Obispo over the course of many years, and I always love going back and spending a few days there! I ...

?Ladies Only? Week of Events
2007-06-25 17:28:00
Last week seems to have inadvertently become the “Ladies Only” week of events! One event was an afternoon tea held at a private home in Huntington Beach. I have performed for this client for many years, so it’s always fun to go back. My client invites all her lady friends for an afternoon tea party every ...
More About: Events , Week , Vent , Dies

How to Choose a Harpist
2007-06-09 01:31:00
If you are looking for a harpist for your wedding or event, then you’ll definitely want to do your homework… If you are price-shopping for the cheapest harpist available on your event date, you are taking a huge risk with the outcome and quality of your event. Remember, as with most things in life, ...
More About: Choose

Wedding in Santa Monica
2007-05-21 18:37:00
I performed last night for a wedding and cocktail hour at the Casa Del Mar in Sant a Monica . I had never been there before; what a beautiful venue! The wedding was held in a very large banquet room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean. I performed in a trio consisting of violin, cello, and harp. This ...
More About: Wedding , Santa Monica

Harp Music?Amplified!
2007-05-15 01:04:00
How loud is the harp, you may ask? Harp music is generally loud enough to carry in most private homes, churches, and many public spaces. The harp on its own is never overpowering, which makes it perfect for background music. Can the harp be amplified if needed? Yes, my harp certainly can! I can be easily ...
More About: Music , Amplified

My NEW Blog!
2007-05-02 05:15:00
My blog has been moved!Please visit www.carlabray.com/blog so you won't miss any new entries...
More About: Blog

Booking Information
2007-04-18 02:46:00
So?you would like to book me to play harp music for a special event, party, or wedding! Fantastic! What is the next step? First of all, you can contact me to find out my availability and pricing. So that I can be completely sure of my availability, please be sure to include all the details possible about ...
More About: Information , Form , Format , Booking

Easter Brunch
2007-04-10 02:49:00
I performed for Easter Brun ch at the Virginia Country Club, a location that I perform for several holidays throughout the year. Always a nice place to be, such great staff and well organized events. And the food! I could go on and on? The Easter Bunny was kind enough to take time out from playing with ...
More About: Aster

Outdoor Locations
2007-03-24 01:57:00
Spring has come early this year?people are planning their upcoming weddings and events. With the great weather here in sunny Southern California, weddings and special events are often held outdoors. What could be better than harp music to go along with??? Harps are very sensitive and delicate instruments that require protection from the damaging outdoor elements; ...
More About: Locations , Outdoor , Door , Loca

Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder - For Once In My Life
2007-03-23 04:28:00
A fond look back...Here's a clip from "Tony Bennett: An American Classic", released on DVD in November 2006. Look for the harpist in the background to the right of Stevie; it's a bit dark but that's me! This song recently won a Grammy Award...
More About: Life , Stevie Wonder , My Life , Wonder

Party in Beverly Hills
2007-03-10 05:49:00
I had the pleasure to perform last night for a champagne and hors d'oeuvres reception at Eddia, a store that specializes in men's clothing & accessories on Canon Drive in Beverly Hill s. They had me set up in the store window...I've never been a window display before! There I was, in between the shirts and shoes. I did get some great entertainment of my own just watching the people on the street react to seeing a live harp player in the store window display! See, you can get all kinds of entertainment in Los Angeles...Very nice staff there; they really made the evening the success that it was. I met a very cool and talented photographer as well, as illustrated by this photo taken at the reception! Thanks Adam.Photo by Adam Latham Photography
More About: Party , Part , Ever , Beverly Hills

Party In Beverly Hills
2007-03-10 02:01:00
I had the pleasure to perform last night for a champagne and hors d?oeuvres reception at Eddia, a store that specializes in men?s clothing & accessories on Canon Drive in Beverly Hill s. They had me set up in the store window?I?ve never been a window display before! There I was, in between the shirts and ...
More About: Party , Beverly Hills , Hills

Wedding Music Selections
2007-03-02 02:06:00
Choosing music for your wedding can be a bit overwhelming when you don?t know where to start. But I?m here to help! I have performed my harp for literally hundreds of weddings, and for just about every type of service you can imagine: Catholic Mass, Christian, Greek Orthodox, Jewish, Non-Denominational, Persian, and Vow Renewals. There are ...
More About: Music , Wedding , Selec , Select , Sele

Harp Music...Amplified!
2007-02-20 03:32:00
How loud is the harp, you may ask? Harp music is generally loud enough to carry in most private homes, churches, and many public spaces. The harp on its own is never overpowering, which makes it perfect for background music.Can the harp be amplified if needed? Yes, my harp certainly can! I can be easily amplified either with my own portable amplifier or my harp is equipped to be plugged into most any existing PA system. I use a 1/4" instrument plug (aka, guitar plug or male plug) that goes directly into the harp. If there is an existing sound system at your venue that supports that type of plug, then I can easily plug directly into their sound system! Just ask your event coordinator, catering director on site, or DJ - they will be able to tell you what the venue has available for your use. A microphone can work also, though it's not going to be as efficient and it may not pick up the sound at all (it depends on the microphone, they're all different).The amplified harp sound still ...
More About: Music , Amplified

Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder - For Once In My Life
2007-02-12 23:43:00
A fond look back… Here’s a clip from “Tony Bennett: An American Classic“, released on DVD in November 2006. Look for the harpist in the background to the right of Stevie; it’s a bit dark but that’s me! This song won a Grammy Award last night for the category of Pop Collaboration with Vocals
More About: Life , Stevie Wonder , My Life , Once

Outdoor Weddings & the Harp
2007-02-02 04:48:00
It's that time again...people are thinking about their Spring, Summer, and Fall weddings and events here in sunny Southern California. That can often bring us to the great outdoors! Harp s are very sensitive instruments that require protection from the damaging outdoor elements.I know what you're thinking; you've probably seen a beautiful photo on one of those wedding location directories of a harp in an outdoor garden setting, out in the sunlight with no overhead covering. Well, that makes for a good picture to help sell the venue, but completely unrealistic in terms of the actual needs of the harp and the harp player!Harps are sensitive to the following:Direct sun - placing the harp in direct sunlight not only heats and dries out the wood, but it is hot enough to soften the glues in the instrument and weaken or destroy the joints.Extreme heat or cold - the harp will expand and contract with temperature or climate changes, causing the drying and cracking of woods, lacquers, and...
More About: Weddings , Wedding , Outdoor , Door

Wedding Music Selections
2007-01-26 04:52:00
Choosing music for your wedding can be a bit overwhelming when you don't know where to start. But I'm here to help! I have performed for literally hundreds of weddings, and for just about every type of service you can imagine: Catholic Mass, Christian, Greek Orthodox, Jewish, Non-Denominational, Persian, and Vow Renewals.Here are some suggested musical selections to get you started:Entrance of Bridal PartyCanon in D - PachelbelPrelude in C - BachJesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - BachBridal ProcessionBridal Chorus - WagnerCanon in D - PachelbelTrumpet Voluntary - ClarkeRecessionalTrumpet Voluntary - ClarkeOde To Joy - BeethovenSpring from Four Seasons - VivaldiTrumpet Tune - PurcellOf course, if you have a special song in mind, let me know! You can also check my website for audio samples of some of these selections, or for my complete repertoire list. Harp music is such a beautiful addition to any wedding!
More About: Elections , Music , Wedding , Election , Selec

New Year with Harp Music?and Yoga!
2007-01-07 23:41:00
Back in November, a very nice man named Ken contacted me. He wanted to surprise his wife Isabel on her 40th birthday (which happened to be on New Year ’s Day) with harp music to wake up to, followed by a private yoga class in their home! Wow, what a great husband! I was very enthusiastic ...
More About: Music , Yoga , Harp

New Year with Harp Music...and Yoga
2007-01-05 20:32:00
Back in November, a very nice man named Ken contacted me. He wanted to surprise his wife Isabel on her 40th birthday (which happened to be on New Year 's Day) with harp music to wake up to, followed by a private yoga class in their home! Wow, what a great husband! I was very enthusiastic about the idea; I had never played for a yoga class before, and surprises are always fun?So, at 8:30AM on New Year's Day, Ken and I stealthily sneaked the harp into their living room. I started playing at 9AM. During my second piece, out of the corner of my eye I saw a head peek around the doorway (their 5-year old daughter). A few minutes later, I saw another head peek around the same doorway (Isabel), followed by hysterical laughter down the hallway. She was so surprised and absolutely thrilled! I continued to play while the family enjoyed their morning together. An hour later, the yoga instructor came. Isabel was treated to a one-on-one yoga class accompanied by live harp music! It was a bit...
More About: Music , Yoga , With , Harp

Doubletree San Pedro Grand Opening
2006-12-17 05:44:00
On December 14 I performed at the Double tree in San Pedro . Formerly the Marina Hotel, they have completely renovated the hotel and had their grand opening celebration under their new name. It's a beautiful hotel just right along the Marina. Their Grand Open ing was definitely a success judging from the large crowd that showed up!I didn't get to sample the incredible looking appetizers floating around, darn! But when the valet brought my car around front, she smiled and handed me a shiny Christmas-y bag. Inside the bag was a tin of chocolate chip cookies! Yum...
More About: Opening , Tree

Doubletree San Pedro Grand Opening
2006-12-17 00:14:00
On December 14 I performed at the Doubletree in San Pedro . Formerly the Marina Hotel, they have completely renovated the hotel and had their grand opening celebration under their new name. It’s a beautiful hotel just right along the Marina. Their Grand Opening was definitely a success judging from the large crowd that showed up! I ...