About

Portia began playing the harp at age 9, and has been performing on the harp for over 25 years.  She studied the harp with Diana Stork for 9 years, and performed in a number of harp ensembles including The Bay Area Youth Harp Ensemble, and Triskela Harp Trio.  Portia is a graduate of Edie Elkan's “Bedside Harp” Program.

At California Institute for Integral Studies, Portia was on faculty for the Sound, Voice and Music Healing Certification Program, teaching students about the therapeutic power of the harp through hands-on workshops. Portia taught and directed the Bahia Vista Harp Ensemble for youth in Marin, and the Harmony Harp Ensemble for youth in San Francisco.

As a member of the harp trio "Triskela", Portia has performed at venues such as the Dorothy Spreckles Performing Arts Center in Rohnert Park and Soper Reese Theater for Performing Arts in Lake County. Portia has performed solo and in ensembles at the Yachats Music Festival sponsored by Four Season Arts.  A Waldorf graduate, she enjoys providing music for Winter Spirals at Waldorf schools throughout the Bay Area.  During a Harp Tour in Alaska, Diana Stork and Portia performed a number of concerts in Juneau and Haines, teaching a harp workshop and providing “History of the Harp” lecture/demonstrations at local schools.

Portia Diwa teaches harp lessons for children and adults.  Lessons are tailored to each individual student and their goals.  Portia teaches harp technique based on tone quality, relaxation, and ergonomics.  Portia teaches world music, original music, improvisation, and composition.  Her students report appreciating the gentleness and patience Portia brings to lessons and the inspiration to practice, perform, and move towards their dreams.  Currently, Portia teaches a virtual harp class for adults, and an in-person harp class for children.  Contact Portia for more information: portiadiwa @ gmail.com (without spaces)

Portia also teaches in the Healing Harp Certification Program at California Pacific Medical Center, for harpists who are interested in becoming Harp Therapists.  The program is accredited by the National Standards Board for Therapeutic Musicians.  Contact Portia at portia.diwa @ sutterhealth.org (without spaces) for more information.  

Harp Duo for Labyrinths ~ Portia Diwa and Diana Stork have played for decades at labyrinths through the World. They are featured every year at Grace Cathedral’s popular December Labyrinth Walk. Listen to their harp duo on their CD, Music from the Labyrinth. For a Special Event, they are available to play at your Labyrinth. They can include bringing their canvas labyrinth upon request.

Diana and Portia have completed a cd "Music from the Labyrinth - from Chartres to Grace" of original arrangements and original music to inspire contemplative labyrinth walks.

Comments:

“Music from the Labyrinth” is always among our most popular items–it is my personal favorite to listen to in the Veriditas office! ~ Jenny Slama

A stunning cd! I played it at my workshop, and it inspired everyone to dive into deeper inner reflection and connection to oneself and others. i love that it has a labyrinth that can be removed from the CD pocket and used for meditation along with the music. It is a real treasure! ~ Rhonda Gerhardt, Therapist, Sonoma County CA

I write this under my headset while I listen to Music from the Labyrinth.
It is lovely! Thank you so much for staying true to your creative fires along
with the hard work and guts it takes to birth a creative project of such fine quality
as this. I was looking for new music to write by when I reopen my book. This will be at the top of my list for sure. Many thanks for the lovely gift of your work. ~ Lauren Artress, Founder, Veriditas, and the international Labyrinth movement.

As a drummer coming from hard rock and world music traditions,  I was surprised at how captivating I found Music from the Labyrinth to be. My favorite aspect of this recording is how Diana Stork and Portia Diwa’s exquisite harp playing seamlessly interact. Two distinct-sounding instruments, yet I find myself not unable to tell where one harp’s sound ends and the other begins. Perfect counterparts. ~Andy Graham, Musician, Recording artist, Producer

I love your “Music from the Labyrinth” album. I’ve been listening to it repeatedly since I got it. ~ Charlotte Bear, Director, Suncrest hospice

Recordings available for purchase:

To purchase a CD, please email portiadiwa @ gmail.com (without spaces). 

"Music from the Labyrinth - From Chartres to Grace" Portia Diwa and Diana Stork, lever harps, with guest artists Dan Reiter, Cello; Elaine Coombs, Cello; Shira Kammen, Vielle and Violin; Peter Maund, Percussion. Music inspired by Medieval, Classical, Celtic and Jazz improvisation styles to encourage contemplative journeys on labyrinths, as well as inward journeys of healing and meditation. 2016

"Ocean Song" Portia Diwa - Gentle Harp Music for Healing 2011

"Voice of Tara" by Triskela - Celtic Harp Trio 2005

"Innisheer: Celtic Harp Music from California" Compliation CD featuring the Bay Area Youth Harp Ensemble and Alumni 2014

"Music from Around the World" - Bay Area Youth Harp Ensemble, recorded live at St. Mary Magdalene Church, Berkeley, California, Spring 2004

Other recordings:

"Invitation: Guided Imagery and Healing Harp" with Leslie Davenport, MFT, and Portia Diwa

"Early Light" Portia Diwa's debut solo harp CD

"Winter Song" Portia Diwa's solo harp Holiday Music for Healing