Eve Watters

email: Ianandeve2@cs.com
phone: 434-823-8600
address:
PO Box 1792
Charlottesville VA 22902
www.evewatters.com

"Take one accomplished singing harper…
Add a storytelling gift described as 'absolutely enthralling'...
Blend in wonderful songs, sounds, and tales by the score…
Sprinkle with high spirits; Season with wit and wisdom…
Gently touch thearts; Stir in audience participation…"

At the foot of Virginia's Blue Ridge is a cottage in a garden under the trees. And a woman lives there in delight, with her harps, her paints, and a heart brimming with melody and stories!...

With Celtic harp, songs, storytelling and an array of instruments, Eve Watters celebrates timeless tradition in a new spirit and lighthearted style. Her concerts change by the season, specially fashioned for each audience from a dazzling eclectic repertoire. Intriguing tales-with-a-twist from around the world interlace with enchanting airs, songs in many languages, and sparkling sounds of historic harps, Native American flute, concertina, banjo, autoharp, pennywhistle, drum or dulcimer.

”Originally self-taught, I have cherished and collected tales and music as far back as I can remember- it really is my first love. I am still at it, as a tradition-keeper, faithfully sharing the joy and wisdom of this handmade artistry wherever there are hearts hungry for their delights. Stories are a priceless part of human heritage the world over, and so are the magical storyteller moments, when time stands still, all things are possible, and dreams take flight.” Eve Watters

Credentials
Eve gained firsthand experience from a childhood stay in Burma, and left home early in pursuit of more inspiration, first for New York City, then for 11 years in England, learning from her rural neighbors, Irish in-laws, and leading British Isles folk artists. She has studied harp in Ireland and in workshops with many of today's masters of harp, storytelling and healing music.

Eve produced the "Fall Festival of Tales (1983-1987) and has played in Gamelan, contradance, and Klezmer ensembles. she worked for nearly a decade in radio, as producer/presenter of pioneering weekly world music and storytelling shows, and has performed since 1978 at Charlottesville's renowned Boars Head Inn, where she continues as a resident musician.

Eve became a Certified Music Practitioner in 2002, and is active nationally in promoting therapeutic uses of music. She is a member of the Virginia Folklore Society, and serves on the Virginia Storytelling Alliance Board, currently as its vice-president.

1998-2006 Virginia Commission for the Arts Touring Program
2002-2005 Musician-in-Residence: University of Virginia Health System
1997-2005 Resident Harpist: Old Mill Room, Boar's Head Inn
1985-2001 Virginia Commission for the Arts "Artists-in-Education" Roster
1995 1st Place: Richmond Celtic Festival Harp Competition
1995 3rd Place: National Scottish Harp Competition
1996-1997 Storyteller-in-Residence: Museum of American Frontier Culture
1983-87 Director, co-director, Fall Festival of Tales
1980-1987 Presenter-Producer "Music From Around the World", weekly broadcast, WTJU-FM

Programs Offered
Storytelling: Over 100 stories in active repertoire, from Virginia; Korea; Middle East; Ethiopia; Burma; Russia; Ireland; Japan; Kenya; England; Scotland; Wales; Native America; Armenia; China; Greece; Zambia; Poland

Instrumental: Celtic Harp; Wire-strung Harp; Medieval-style Bray harp; Double-strung harp; Native American Flute; Pennywhistle; Recorders; Anglo concertina; Melodeon;Five-string Banjo; Appalachian dulcimer; Autoharp.

Vocal: Over 400 songs in active folklore repertoire. In English from the US, England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Australia, Wales. In Welsh; German; French; Yiddish; Spanish; Russian; Hebrew; Ladino; Galician

Specialties:

Informal music and stories from Thomas Jefferson's household
Traditional unaccompanied ballad singing
CONCERTS are improvisationally tailored to each audience. They can be presented in several formats, to suit the patron's specific audience and setting requirements, from ½ hour to two hours, with or without intermission. I can provide my own sound system. Adaptable for any ages. "Pleasures of the Harp" is a special program that uses rare historical instruments, period music, and ancient legend and lore to highlight harp's mystique through the ages. Adapts for school age and up.

CLASS VISITS, MINI-CONCERTS, WORKSHOPS are shorter, more informal sessions to schedule with concerts and harp music as components in RESIDENCIES of one or more days.

HARP MUSIC is a glorious way to enhance any special event or celebration. With her generous collection of hundreds of beautiful pieces in many styles- even Thomas Jefferson's favorites- Eve's harp adds the perfect graces for banquets, galleries, galas, romantic dinners, etc. and, of course, ceremonies of all kinds, including weddings. Medieval to modern repertoire: Celtic, contemporary, classical and more Indoor & outdoor set-up Amplification provided Flute/violin duets on request

THERAPEUTIC MUSIC establishes soothing calmness that can aid in relaxation and pain management, benefiting heart, blood pressure, respiratory function and more. As an experienced Certified Music Practitioner, Eve is specially trained in the art of using music to create a healing environment in one-to-one bedside sessions, for illness, pain and recuperation, and as a wellness practice.

Fees are flexible, because every situation is different. Harp music fees are by the hour, allowing patrons to get just the services they require. Special discounts are available for under-served and non-profit organizations. Virginia educational, non-profit and community organizations may be eligible to receive grant money from the Virginia Commission for the Arts, covering up to 50% of fee.

Clients
Eve Watters has sustained a multi-faceted career in Celtic harp, folksong, and storytelling, with a range of offerings from concerts to ambient music to therapeutic bedside playing. She's had the opportunity to perform for diverse audiences, at a variety of festivals, conferences, universities and private and community venues during two decades of extensive travel throughout Virginia, in seventeen states, and in Britain and Australia.

Now in her eighth year as a Virginia Commission for the Arts Touring artist, Eve is a two-time Governor's Award for the Arts nominee. She has been a Virginia Artist-in-Education since 1986. Her recording for children, "My Ship Sailed from China", received the respected Parents' Choice Approved designation, and she is the University of Virginia Health System's first Musician-in-Residence.

Queensland Storytellers Association (Australia) Brookings Institution
Centre for Celtic Studies (Newcastle, Australia] US-Soviet Children's Literature Symposium
National Association of Presswomen
Lexus Corporation
International Plastic Surgery Research Council
Lucent Technology
American Association of Music Therapists
United States Postal Service
Int'l Assn of Conference Center Administrators
VA Community College Administrators Assn.
Investigative and Security Services Institute
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
International Association of Chiefs of Police
Virginia Association of Meeting Planners
Rex Theater, Galax Northgate School (Brisbane, Australia)
Nursing School Centennial, UVA
Eagle Eyrie Baptist Retreat Center Washington Area Folk Harp Society
Virginia Harp Center
Fairfax County Parks Authority
James Beard House
Assn of Living History Farm & Agriculture Museums
Blackfriars Theater, Staunton VA
The Jefferson Hotel, Washington DC
Prospect Hill Plantation
Virginia State Storytelling Festival
Virginia State Fair MidAtlantic Storytelling Festival
Shenandoah Valley Music Festival Highlander Festival, Radford
Portsmouth Holiday Music Festival
Arts Array, Richmond
Shenandoah Valley Story Festival
Art By The James
Bedford Heritage Festival
Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival
Staunton Oktoberfest Richmond
StoryFest Heart of Virginia Festival
Azalea Festival, Tuggerah, NSW, Australia
Boars Head Inn Xmas Festival (1978-99)
First Night Charlottesville; Waynesboro; Harrisonburg (1983-2005)

MUSEUMS:

VIrginia Museum of Fine Arts Valentine Museum Monticello
Woodlawn Plantation Museum of American Frontier Culture Chrysler Museum
Yorktown Victory Center Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest Ash Lawn-Highland Montpelier
Sully Plantation
Reynolds Homestead Meadow Farm Museum
Historic Crab Orchard
Virginia Discovery Museum
Historic Rugby Tennessee
Woodrow Wilson Birthplace Historic
MichieTavern
Miles Carpenter Folk Art Museum
Schiele Museum
Youth Museum of West Virginia

COLLEGES :

James Madison University
Radford University
University of Richmond
Sweetbriar College
Bridgewater College
Longwood University
University of Virginia
Mary Baldwin College
Danville Community College
Virginia Polytechnic Institute Ferrum College
Virginia Highlands Comm. College
SW Virginia Community College
Southside Virginia Comm. College
Southern Seminary

LIBRARIES AND LIBRARY SYSTEMS:

Virginia Winchester, Prince William, Fauquier, King George, Jefferson-Madison Regional, Eastern Shore PL , Bedford County, Wytheville, Pittsylvania County, Covington, Montgomery-Floyd Reg,. Rawls Library Shenandoah County, Falls Church, Franklin, Botetourt County, Galax-Carroll Regional, Front Royal, Rockingham County, Lancaster County, Brunswick-Greensville Reg, Rockbridge Reg, . Loudoun County, Radford, Wythe-Grayson Reg, Smyth-Bland Reg, Newport News Portsmouth, Giles County, Pulaski, Nottoway County, Staunton, Suffolk, Waynesboro, Salem, Augusta County, Campbell County, Williamsburg, Rappahannock County, Fluvanna County, Arlington County, Page County, Clarke County, Chesterfield County.

Maryland: Ann Arundel County; Wheaton,
Pennsylvania : Cumberland County
New Hampshire: New London
Indiana: New Albany
Kentucky: Frankfort; Scott County; Versailles; Lexington
New Jersey: East Orange; Irvington; Maplewood; Montclair; Newark

VIRGINIA SCHOOL SYSTEMS

Albemarle Orange Charlottesville Franklin County Tazewell County Richmond Botetourt Galax Caroline Hanover Brunswick Prince Edward Louisa Fluvanna Nelson Amherst Powhatan Chesterfield Wise York Fairfax Arlington Goochland Alexandria Staunton Waynesboro Madison Rockingham Augusta Greene Henrico Roanoke Highland Patrick Carroll Highland
Testimonials
"When Eve Watters plays the harp, the willows weep. When she sings,
the fishes dance. And when she tells stories, people beg for more."
MidAtlantic Storytellers Conference

"Watters' voice, deft and light as a butterfly, dances above the acoustic accompaniment"

Parents' Choice Magazine

"What a pleasure it was to work with you in Virginia...I'm still amazed at the way you charmed the crowd." Ed Stivender, Storyteller

"Eve, your tape is delightful! It has passed the test with Adam…Keep up the great work!" Bonnie Rideout, recording artist, 3x U.S. Scottish Fiddle Champion

"Thanks so much for adding your special touch to our grand opening. It was such an honor to have you as a performer. Come back soon .
Mary Jane and David D'Arville, Virginia Harp Center

"A special thanks for bringing the touch of magic to the evening with your exquisite music…I am still enflamed." Meliss Bunce, Storyteller,

"Rarely have I seen an artist maintain the undivided attention of an audience as you succeeded in doing…a delightful afternoon for all... Bravo!"
Robert Capen, Church Music Director, Danville

"Eve has the kind of inviting stage presence that makes an audience feel at home AND ready for anything. She cares about human beings. That compassion is at the heart of storytelling. And Eve delivers - quality performances for hearts, minds, and funny bones." Michael Parent, Storyteller

"…really added to the ambience…one of the highest-rated meetings in several years!" Meeting Professionals International

"Employees are still calling to ask when you will be returning! Most of us spent the rest of the day 'oohing and aahing' about how relaxed we felt…"
Halifax Regional Health System

"You were terrific! Many thanks for providing such a nice ambiance... just the right touch and class..." Molly Dean, University of Richmond

"Your performance was everything and more than we expected ...We were flooded with compliments from our guests...thanks to your beautiful music and stories." Rev. James Rush, Director, Epworth-by-the-Sea, St. Simon's Island GA

"Your boundless enthusiasm, musical talent, and unique storytelling abilities were a joy to witness...Thanks once again for a 'world class' performance!"
Beth Brokenshire, Public Library, Mechanicsburg PA

"Your program was wonderful! The magic of your songs and storytelling kept our children and teachers in rapt attention. You seemed to know exactly what our children wanted to hear. Your gift of warmth and humor was appreciated by all." Mary Mleziva, Counselor, Fairfax County Public Schools

"...Ever since we've been meeting people who have been saying the same thing, that you added a really warm, interesting dimension to the evening"
Stella Aubrey, Centre for Celtic Studies, Newcastle, NSW Australia

"...It was the perfect touch...The harp truly does have an angelic sound!" Marcia VanderVoor, State Legislative Leaders Assn.

"Eve has a remarkable ability to assess her audience and give each one what it needs. She has a magical charm with people from the youngest restless child to older audience members and draws everyone together into her spell."Gay Neale, Southside VA Comm. College

"We were delighted to have someone of your many talents, and the presentations you gave surpassed our expectations!"
Eileen Hurt, Education Director, Historic Rugby TN

"I can't thank you enough for sharing your special talents and enthusiasm with us...It was so much fun!"
Timmie Poh, Public Library, New London NH

"I'm still hearing from visitors who especially enjoyed your music and tales, and from teachers who have used your tape in their classrooms. (And I loved having you here too!)" Kay Moss, Schiele Museum, Gastonia NC

"We've heard nothing but raves about your show" Cathy Butler, Library Director, Crofton MD

…great pleasure and the thanks of our entire International Headquarters staff for the marvelous talent you displayed. The ambience you created was perfectly suited to the occasion." Paul McCleary, Exec. Dir., Christian Children's Fund