Album Notes

California Celtic Harper, Patricia Rushton, performs exquisite arrangements of 18th century and earlier music from Ireland and Scotland. "Open The Door Softly" is for lovers of the Celtic harp--an album of well-known favorites and many nearly-forgotten melodies. A fresh approach--beautiful and scholarly--this is the CD you'll reach for again and again. It’s a gem of a recording.

Patricia has made music since early childhood beginning with the Ukelele. Her first harp was co-created by herself and a woodshop carpenter. She has appeared on several musicians' recordings as a backup singer and multi-instrumentalist. For several years, she played harp in the James Joyce Irish session group.

Her thesis on creativity for an MA in Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute convinced her to give more time to making music and encouraging others to follow their heart's path.

Patricia brings a mythological approach to her performances, introducing us to the music’s background with story, poetry, descriptive images, and historical references. Presently she is happily arranging for the folk harp, performing, and assists Braille students to play harp.