Katie Lynn Daniels

In June of 2010 I again entered in the Scottish harp competition at the Glasgow Highland Games. This time I came prepared to sing, with a total of four pieces prepared in two categories. However, Steve, the Harp and Voice competitor from the previous year was not there.

I was one of only two competitors and we entered in different categories; he as a journeyman and I as an apprentice. We both took first in our categories, though whether that is something to be boasted about I don’t know. I also won two plates sponsored by Scottish Clans. We were judged by Cynthia Shelhart who’d been an instructor at harp camp in previous years and I’d heard much about her from my friends there.

In May 2009 I entered my first competition. I had taken a few lessons in Elizabeth town at the advice of Mrs. Pennington, and she’d helped me choose my pieces. It was a Scottish harp competition, so all my pieces had to be traditional Scottish. My mom made me a highland dress to wear as well; I was one of the only two competitors so garbed.

The only category I’d planned on entering was the apprentice level. However, upon filling out the competition papers I was informed of a harp and voice category. It was widely known that I loved to sing and so, despite having not prepared anything, I entered that category as well.

There were two competitors in the Apprentice category, and two Masters, one of whom was my teacher. The other was my opponent in the Harp and Voice category, and so we were all evenly matched. I took second in both of my categories, and came away with the Jan Pennington Gray Medallion, for having won second place in the scholarship that January.