CPMC Healing Harp Services

Healing Harp at the Bedside

The harp has been used as a therapeutic instrument for thousands of years, helping patients create an opening for healing in the body, mind, emotions and spirit. Specific harp playing techniques geared toward individual patients have been shown to reduce pain, lower blood pressure, regulate breathing, relieve depression and anxiety, stimulate the immune system, and provide spiritual comfort.

Our Healing Harp program is focused on the well-being of our patients, their families and visitors, and our staff.

Healing Harp Classes

Learn to play the harp for your personal enjoyment and healing with Portia Diwa. You will learn harp technique, music fundamentals and build a repertoire. Specific training techniques are used to help you learn quickly and joyfully. Classes are kept small to assure individualized attention. No prior musical experience is required. Harps are available for rent.

Cost: Eight 75 minute classes, $344

For more information about the schedule and to register, contact Portia Diwa at (415) 600-2890 or email diwap@sutterhealth.org.

Healing Harp Lessons

Discover the healing power of the harp in lessons tailored to your individual goals and learning style. Diwa's influences included traditional Celtic, Latin and world music. She also brings a passion for composition and improvisation into her teaching style. Whether you're coming to the harp as a beginner with no musical experience or as a harpist desiring to refine technical skills, Diwa will gracefully guide you on your healing harp journey.

Cost: 60 minutes for $70, 90 minutes for $95, 120 minutes for $125, 60 minute duo lessons for $43. 5% discount for pre-payment of five 60 minute lessons, $332.50.

For more information and to book adult harp lessons, contact Portia Diwa at (415) 600-2890 or email diwap@sutterhealth.org.

Healing Harp Certification

Healing Harp Certification is a transformational, year-long program designed to train harpists to become harp therapists. This 240-hour training program combines education (90 hours) with a supervised hospital internship (150 hours). This innovative program looks for students with a passion for integrating a philosophy of caring for the whole person within the practice of mainstream medicine.

For more information, contact Portia Diwa at (415) 600-2890 or email diwap@sutterhealth.org.

Teaching Testimonials

"Ms. Diwa sets a mood within the class that feels non-judgmental and safe."

"The class allowed me, as a beginning harpist, to feel successful playing for another person."

Downloadable MP3 File

Listen to Portia Diwa playing her composition "Ocean Song” | MP3 (6 minutes) from her CD "Ocean Song: Gentle Harp Music for Healing". (Used with permission, copyright Portia Diwa 2011).