At the Sredets House of Culture in Sofiathe harps resonated differently.
For several days, a unique atmosphere took hold , one of curiosity, trust, and the joy of discovery, where the fear of making mistakes simply faded away.
This masterclass was open to everyone , harpists of all levels, children, adults, and even those who came just to listen.
My goal was to help each person approach the harp in a new way.
Not as an instrument reserved for a certain level, but as a space for expression, freedom, and emotion.
Because the harp can be so much more than a symbol of tradition: it breathes, it tells stories, it improvises, it lives.
Exploring, Listening, Feeling
From the very first hours, I invited participants to explore sound, to listen not only to the notes but also to the silences, to feel how a vibration or even a glance can become music.
The idea wasn’t to move away from academic teaching quite the opposite but to complement it with a more sensitive and intuitive approach.
Some students, hesitant at first, rediscovered the pleasure of improvising and creating.
Others regained the confidence they thought they had lost.
And those who came without instruments took part through their listening, their emotions, and their words.
One of them said:
« I'll never see the harp again. What you do is tell stories, not just play notes. »
And another testimony, from a Bulgarian participant, deeply touched:
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“The masterclass and the performance that followed were so interesting, encouraging, useful, fun, and unifying that all the participants and audience members want more and more!”
Creating Together: From Writing to Stage
One of the most powerful moments of this masterclass was the collective process we built step by step.
Participants first wrote a story.
Their own musical script.
A way to imagine what the harp could express beyond the notes.
Then, each presented an individual performance, born from their own piece, universe, and emotion.
These intimate moments of sharing allowed everyone to explore their relationship with the stage, with listening, and with creativity.
As a natural conclusion to this collective journey, we gathered all these energies around my piece “Fa en pièces.”.
Through this shared work, participants discovered how to connect their voices, rhythms, and imagination.
It all ended with a live improvisation before the audience, a rare moment where everyone could feel the freedom of play, the strength of the group, and the joy of letting go.
On stage, faces were radiant.
The audience, carried by this spontaneity, vibrated with them.
And when the music stopped, the students kept singing and dancing backstage , proof that the magic had worked.
A participant’s mother later wrote:
„Неповторимо преживяване тази вечер с възхитителната и неизмеримо харизматична Rossitza Milevska, със специалното участие на Седрик Льо Дон !!! Благодарим за невероятната вечер и този така обогатяващ нашите млади арфисти майсторски клас!!!“
“An unforgettable experience this evening with the wonderful and infinitely charismatic Rossitza Milevska, joined by the special guest Cédric Le Donne! Thank you for this amazing evening and for such an enriching masterclass for our young harpists!”
These words perfectly capture the spirit of what we lived together: a celebration of music and sharing.
Precious Encounters and Support
I would like to thank you warmly. Minko Lambov, director of the Maison de la Culture Sredets, and his entire team for their warm welcome and constant support throughout this adventure.
Thanks to their professionalism and enthusiasm, this masterclass was carried out in very good conditions
, full of creativity, curiosity, and openness.
My deep gratitude also goes to Angela Madjarova and Harps Corner Ltd. – Camac Harps (Bulgaria) for her generosity and support.
The instruments she provided, along with her kind presence and passion, played an essential role in the success of these days.
And of course, a big thank-you to my colleague and friend Cédric Le Donnewho joined us, took part in the workshops, and accompanied the students on stage.
His presence, attentiveness, and talent brought a deeply human and musical dimension to this experience.
One Harp, a Thousand Paths
This masterclass reminded me once again that music belongs to everyone.
not only to those who already master their instrument, but also to beginners, to those who listen, and to those who dream.
The harp, in all its forms, can become a space for expression, play, and imagination.
And perhaps that is the most beautiful lesson from these days in Sofia:
Music connects, frees, and helps us grow students and teachers alike.
Thank you, Sofia.
As I left Bulgaria, I carried with me the smiles, the sounds, the gestures, the laughter, and the shared glances.
I return feeling grateful and inspired, convinced that with every encounter, music finds a new way to live.
Thank you to all the participants, families.
colleagues, friends, the Sredets House of Culture, and everyone who made these beautiful days possible.
May this energy continue to resonate for a long time to come.
