Musician puts curious twist on heavenly harp
By Jennifer Mitchell
Insignts
Published Sept. 6, 2006

OK, admit it. As you are climbing the stairway to heaven, the sound of angels playing harps isn’t what you’d always imagined. And you have to listen to it for how long? Eternity?

What if, instead of classical music, those angels were strumming classic rock on their stringed golden instruments? Even creative types may have trouble envisioning it. But they don’t have to. Harpist Christina Kline recently issued Harp Rock, a CD recording of her interpretation of everything from “Riders on the Storm” to “Free Bird.” Floyd fans will get a kick out of “Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)” and those who remember Sting back in his rock‘n’roll days with The Police will be impressed with Kline’s rendition of “Wrapped Around Your Finger.”

There’s even a little something for U2 fans, as Kline undertakes “Pride.”

Kline’s biography is posted online at the WhitedOut Studios Web site, the company that recorded her latest album. It chronicles her discovery of the instrument during her youth, and her growing interest throughout the years.

At age 12, the Fairview Park resident began studying the harp with teacher, Laura Erb, who is known for her “Pop Goes the Harp” books.

Only three months later, Kline began playing professionally at weddings, special events and area restaurants. She went on to study the harp at Ohio University under musician, artist, teacher and performer Lucile Jennings. 

After college, Kline gave private lessons and adult group classes through North Olmsted High School and the Fairview Hospital Wellness Center in Rocky River.

In an effort to inspire the passion of music in area youth, she also performed at local elementary schools and spoke on the history of the harp, one of man’s oldest instruments.

She eventually formed a 12-piece harp ensemble, “Christina’s Little Angels,” that performed during high tea and for private engagements for many years at Cleveland’s Ritz Carlton. 

Accompanied by a choir, she produced and released her first recording in 1992, Golden Harp Lullabies. The album was designed to create a soothing atmosphere to lull children asleep.  In 1997, Kline released her second recording, “Egyptian Harp Dreams,” a collection of ancient Egyptian folk songs that she arranged for the harp, dating as far back as 896 A.D.

Described by independent reviewers online as soothing, creative and unique, Harp Dreams was sold through Barnes & Noble and Borders bookstores, Las Vegas’ Luxor Hotel, nationwide art museums and one in Canada, as well.

With Harp Rock, Kline pays homage to her first teacher’s “Pop Goes the Harp,” putting her own ‘rock goes the harp’ spin on the ancient instrument.

To sample Kline’s new CD, visit www.Harprock.com, or www.whited-out.com. The CD is also available for purchase online at CDBaby.com, at several Northeast Ohio retailers. Kline will perfrom at The Murray Hill Art Walk and SPARX Gallery Hop Sept. 15 and 16 at 8:00 at 2026 Murray Hill Road in Little Italy.