Harp with Elizabeth L.

Elizabeth is patient and sweet and an absolute credit to her craft. I was a complete beginner (adult) with her, and she managed my transition from piano to harp beautifully. She helped me pick out my "forever" instrument, geeked out with me while I was harp shopping, and just was generally someone I'd probably be friends with if we lived in the same state. At this time she is not taking students, so I've moved to a new teacher - but I would return in a heartbeat. I've been complimented in multiple forums on my technique and good habits - and that is all thanks to her kind tutelage. I cannot more highly recommend her. She's truly fantastic.

I'm not sure if I caught Elizabeth at a bad time or if it was the perfect storm between both of our lives trying to coincide with each other, but my experience does not reflect the five star reviews here. After buying over $200 worth of lessons from her and having my first lesson with her, she informed me that she would be taking a whole month off in a few weeks to prepare for having her baby. I said this was not a deal breaker. We would have time to have a good bit of lessons before she took a break to have her baby. So I agreed that it was fine. When it comes close to time to have my next lesson, she then informed me that she would be starting her one month break early, and we then had no more time for any more lessons. Even with me and all of my family and friends thinking this was overall sort of odd and tacky to not give proper warning before choosing her as my teacher, I still decided to stick it out as I had already started with her. Fast forward again. I get another email that says she will be taking not a one month break, but a *three* month break. Again, I tried to be understanding with her situation as she had just had a baby, and I said it was fine. We would meet back after the three months. Now that these three months had passed, my living situation had completely changed. I was out of college and had a full time job, with very odd and changing hours on top of that. After being so patient with her for over three months with her situation, I thought that she would reciprocate that patience with me. I asked if there was any way that instead of doing a weekly lesson we could do once a month because of my crazy schedule for all of my remaining credits. She flat out refused this and said that she only takes students who want to work with her frequently and punctually. The tune changed very quickly when I was the one with personal scheduling issues. Even after this, I was annoyed, but it was fine. At least I could get a refund from her and get a new harp teacher that would work with me with the same patience that I would afford them. But lo and behold Elizabeth had still charged my credits for all of the lessons that had been scheduled during her three month break. And said that she was unable to help me with it. If I wanted to dispute it I could call the website. After roughly twenty-five calls within the past week between my bank fraud division and the take lessons company, I am finally getting close to getting my partial refund back. I'm not saying she is a bad teacher, and maybe her situation has improved since a few months after having her baby. But either way, I do think it is very strange that she asked me to afford her 3, months of leeway for her situation, and she would not budge whatsoever with my situation. So take that as you will when deciding if she is the harp teacher for you

I've been studying with Elizabeth for a few weeks now and I couldn't be happier! She's patient and kind. As an adult beginner - I wasn't sure what to expect from an online lesson with someone. Elizabeth never make you feel silly or insecure about your abilities. I am absolutely loving this amazing instrument (and after 4 lessons - I upgraded to a full size Celtic harp). I absolutely credit Elizabeth's kind nature and her enthusiasm for teaching with fueling this new love of mine :)