Verlene Schermer Studio

Award-winning singer and harpist Verlene Schermer presents a diverse, upbeat style of music that leans toward contemporary jazz and blues. She accompanies her dynamic, versatile voice on folk harp, electric harp, double-strung harp, and cross-strung harp.

Inspiring international audiences with her poignant observations of modern living, and strengthening the capacity of each person to creatively envision a better reality, Verlene's original songs and five solo recordings are often described as "transformative" and "empowering."

A 1997 prizewinner of the Lyon & Healy Pop & Jazz Harpfest, Verlene is a sought after harp player and singer who gives concerts and workshops throughout the country.

Verlene performs as a solo artist, but also in several groups, from duos to jazz combos, to her four piece band.

She has been performing as Hospital Musician at El Camino Hospital since the Spring of 2002, and at Stanford Hospital and Lucile Children's Hospital since August of 2003. She performs on her double strung harp in waiting areas, on the units near the nurses stations, and in patients rooms. She is also heard in the Atrium Concerts three times a year at Stanford Hospital (check the performance schedule for dates and times).

Along with her busy performance schedule, Verlene teaches thirty private voice, folk harp, guitar, and piano students each week. Many of her students can be heard in local clubs, coffee houses, and recording studios. In addition to her private teaching schedule, Verlene offers a 5-week class on various topics, including Harmony Singing, Songwriting, Sightsinging, Performance and Stagemanship, and various harp related topics. She has also been a member of the teaching staff at the California Coast Music Camp, a week long camp for adult musicians since its first year. Verlene is available to give workshops on harp, singing, or songwriting in your area.

As a writer, Verlene has written articles for the international newsletter, Vocals (now on line), since the publication began in 1988, and has been Vocals' technical editor since the third issue. Another aspect of her writing is her music writing. She has also published vocal articles in Vocalease. Not only does she write her own songs, which can be heard on her five solo recordings, but she also writes arrangements for solo harp, harp & flute, and guitar & flute. A companion book to her duo, Silverwood's debut instrumental album is now available. Also available are companion songbooks for some of her solo releases, tune books of jazzy arrangements of traditional tunes, books on how to arrange for lever harp, or play accompaniments, and a book on the basics of singing. Decriptions of books can be read on her Music Books page. You can also now order CD's or books using PayPal. She has also written stories and poems that have been featured in such publications as Vocalese, The Folk Harp Journal, The Fling, and a harper's garden.