Shaler woman plays the harp to help soothe people in pain, help them relax
She’s known as the “Harp Lady.”
Stephanie Miller, of Shaler, plays the musical instrument with ease.
Watching her fingers glide across the strings to produce harmonious sounds soothes those around her.
Often they forget about a medical issue or problem.
Some fall asleep.
“Music allows for a way to release emotions,” said Miller, a certified music practitioner. “It can help someone grieving the loss of a loved one. I once played for a patient who was having difficulty breathing after a lung transplant. It is amazing what music can do.
”Harp music is like a big hug.”
Miller has dedicated her life to sharing her musical talents as way to comfort those in hospitals, healthcare facilities or wherever she’s needed.
Miller owns Music for Life of Pittsburgh, a company that provides experiences with music. She co-founded the company with husband, Robert Miller. He has an M.S. in music therapy. They met at West Chester University. They’ve performed together.
Through music, she provides comfort. This more than a job for Miller. It’s a calling, she said.
“Music is more than beautiful sounds,” she said. “It can support the healing process.”
The pandemic has altered her ability to do in-person sessions, but hasn’t stopped her from continuing to make a connection. Technology has helped.
On a recent Wednesday she played virtually for a veteran at Heinz Community Living Center, a division of the Veterans Administration of Pittsburgh, in O’Hara. She is currently contracted as a certified music practitioner with the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System.
She asked a resident how she was feeling. Miller began with songs she knows the woman likes.
She will also take requests. The veteran told Miller the song she played was “my favorite.”
“You remembered the songs I like,” the woman said. “That brought tears to my eyes … happy tears. I love to hear you play.”
Collaborating with Miller virtually is Virginia Dougherty, a music therapist for the Veterans Administration.
Dougherty said Miller, who has been playing the harp since 2000, can calm anyone whether in person or virtually.
“Stephanie helps people through her beautiful music,” Dougherty said. “She has amazing talent and a level of expertise that makes her unique.”
After playing for another veteran, the person told Miller — “When you play the harp, I feel like I am transported away from the hospital. The pain disappears. Please come back again soon.”
“Music has helped me in so many ways, and it is wonderful to see how the music I provide can help others in the similar ways,” Miller said. “It is great honor and joy to help others through music.”
Miller began on the piano and then took flute lessons.
She learned the harp from Gloria Galante at West Chester. She inspired Miller to pursue becoming a certified music practitioner and a vibroacoustic harp therapy practitioner. Sarajane Williams was the first person to document the use of a live, acoustic instrument in conjunction with vibroacoustic therapy, said Miller, who trained with Williams.
Miller graduated from the Music for Healing and Transition Program based in Washington, D.C. in 2008.
‘Musical massage’
Part of her repertoire includes musical massage. The process involves tuning each of the 36 strings. The harp weighs between 10-15 pounds.
A recent session was held at Green Heiress Holistic Health in Aspinwall. Artist Arlene Holtz, of East Liberty, was lying on a massage table.
The table is called “a vibrotactile device,” Miller said. There are speakers built into the mat. The speakers are connected to an amplifier.
The client is able to feel the vibrations of the harp through the speakers in mat.
“It’s a wrapped-around sound,” said Miller. “The musical experience is great for pain, anxiety and offers all the benefits of massage without the physical touching.”
She patiently goes through each note, watching the client. Miller records the responses and that allows her to creates what she calls “a body map.”
“That feels wonderful,” Holtz said. “I could stay here for hours I am so relaxed. It’s an amazing feeling.”
Miller plays in real time and customizes the music for each person.
The harp has can be illuminated so she can play by a bedside and not have to turn on the hospital bed lights.
The cost is $50 for 30 minutes.
Before the pandemic, Miller normally visited UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in Lawrenceville. She recalled a time when a little girl asked Miller to play for the girl’s sister.
“She danced beside the hospital crib as I played for her sister,” Miller said. “While I was playing, she reached for my necklace and held it briefly. Then she told me that she knew why the necklace was my favorite, ‘because it looks like the harp sounds.’”
The necklace looks like waves, and harps create vibrational waves, Miller said. Skyler Miller, Miller’s 11-year-old nephew, gave her the necklace. Miller said that experience has stayed with her. She said she had never had anyone else describe harp music in the same way.
“I use music to help people with pain. It can help them if they are agitated,” Miller said. “The music can help slow down their movements. People might not know my name, but when they see me they call me the ‘harp lady.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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