“Healing at the Harp”: Dagny Dash Brings Music to the Café

Traditionally on Wednesdays, you’ll find us making dream boards, painting with watercolors, or folding paper cranes. Using your hands and engaging with creative activities are great ways to build recovery capital and channel one’s energy through new interests and hobbies to forge a path to recovery. This makes “Art and More”  a key part of our programming. Members, volunteers and staff integrate the idea of recovery capital with an element of community building, members by spending Wednesday afternoons sitting together and being creative.

After 11 years of playing, Healing at the Harp is a project Dagny embarked on to secure funding to attend a national harp conference – but for her, it runs beyond her career aspirations. Growing up in a household where her mom is now 3 years into recovery, she knew that bringing music into spaces of healing could be hugely impactful. “It’s a universal language,” she explained, “and music with a story helps me feel at peace with myself.”

After preparing a set of a few songs, Dagny carefully rolled her harp down the stairs into the Café. Usually, members and guests are busy individually, chatting amongst themselves, doing puzzles, and pouring coffee, but as soon as she sat down, all eyes were on Dagny and her harp.

Going through her set piece-by-piece, she explained the story and techniques behind each song.  “They’re all pieces I’ve played in recitals over the years,” she explained, emphasizing the amount of time and practice she puts in on her instrument. A bustling Café transformed into an engaged audience that was hanging off each pluck.

Following the performance, Dagny answered some questions from the audience and allowed members to try their hand at the harp – none of us held a candle to Dagny, but the wonder and amusement of everyone who tried was inspirational at the least.

Seeing the effect of music on our community, from this performance to open mic nights, we recognize the importance of incorporating music into our programming. Going forward, Dagny has inspired us to add a monthly musical performance as the “And More” of our Wednesday “Art and More” Days; stay tuned for more information to come.