By JULI GOETZ MORSER

Arts Editor

For Christine Tourin, the harp is more than a lovely-sounding instrument. The longtime harpist understands the healing effects of harp music and will teach a workshop from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 28, at the Church of the Holy Spirit. A concert with a dessert intermission will follow the workshop at 7 p.m., also at the church.

Tourin began learning the harp at age 4, played with the New Haven symphony as a teen and studied at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, and McGill University in Montreal. She received a music therapy degree from Arizona State University.

After recognizing the healing properties of the harp, Tourin founded the International Harp Therapy Program. The program teaches students to help patients with pain and includes a focused training in easing the pain, anxiety and breathing issues for patients needing palliative care. Graduates work in hospices, hospitals, support centers, rehab facilities and schools.

Islander Cynthia Golfus, a student of Tourin’s and organizer of the two events, said Tourin is an amazing woman “who has devoted herself to offering these workshops, educating the world about the renaissance of the ancient healing tradition of music and providing comfort for end-of-life care.”

The afternoon workshop is open to first-time players as well as experts. Tourin will teach improvisation, patterns and a special tune and will provide information about the harp as a therapeutic instrument.

Golfus said Tourin often states that it’s almost better not having played before, because end-of-life care involves improvisation, not knowing lots of scores.

“You put all that aside and flow with the person,” Golfus said. “You don’t want to play a familiar wonderful tune, which might keep the person from leaving, as music has reminders — so you are not playing the familiar wonderful tunes so much. A lot of the music we play is what Tourin has created herself.”

The suggested donation for the workshop is $25, and $10 for the concert. Register for the workshop at harpist46@hotmail.com.

Tourin will return for an evening concert and dessert intermission at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 8, at Hanna Barn. The suggested donation is $10 at the door.