Hey there, I’m Cindy!
I help harpists move past the notes on the page and play with more freedom and creativity—because music should feel fun, not frustrating.
If you’ve ever looked at a lead sheet and thought, Now what?, you’re in the right place. I’ve spent years helping harpists decode chords, build their own arrangements, and play with confidence—no stuffy rules, no overwhelm, just practical skills that make playing easier (and way more fun).
I’m the author of Tunes to Go: 400 Tunes in Lead Sheet Format for the Harp—a top-selling fake book—and the creator of The Lead Sheet Roadmap, a clear, flexible system that takes you from “Where do I even start?” to “Whoa, that actually sounds like music!” I also teach online and present at harp festivals, showing harpists how to turn a few chord symbols into something they’re proud to play—without the panic.
I believe less is (often) more, good tea is essential, and all harps are invited—because music isn’t about doing it “the right way.” It’s about making it your way.
Real music. Your way.
I’ll write your permission note.
—Cindy Shelhart, Lead Sheet Expert & Harpist
Media Bios
🪄 Micro Bio
Lead sheet expert Cindy Shelhart helps harpists move past the written page and make real music—their way. A double-strung harp specialist and creator of The Lead Sheet Roadmap, she makes chords, creativity, and confidence click for all harps. Learn more at cindyshelhart.com.
🎶 Short Bio
Lead sheet expert Cindy Shelhart helps harpists move past the written page and play music they love—with confidence, creativity, and freedom. She’s the author of Tunes to Go: 400 Tunes in Lead Sheet Format for the Harp and creator of The Lead Sheet Roadmap, a step-by-step guide to turning chords and melody into music that feels like you. Cindy teaches online and at major harp festivals, sharing her practical, stress-free approach with harpists of all levels and harp types—especially double-strung. Also a performing artist and composer, her solo albums Limberlost Angel and That Night in Bethlehem have been featured on public radio and podcasts. Offstage, she’s into British TV, good books, trivia, and tea (with milk, obviously). She’s still waiting for her letter from a certain wizarding school. Learn more at cindyshelhart.com.
🎼 Long Bio
Lead sheet expert Cindy Shelhart helps harpists move past the written page and make music they love—with confidence, creativity, and freedom. A performing artist, composer, and educator, she’s known for making lead sheets feel easy, accessible, and (dare we say?) fun—for all harps, including double-strung.
Cindy created her signature framework, The Lead Sheet Roadmap, to help harpists go from “Where do I even start?” to “Hey, that sounds like me!” when faced with a page of just chords and melody. Whether they’re brand new to lead sheets or ready to level up their arranging skills, Cindy’s step-by-step approach gives harpists the tools—and the encouragement—to play real music their way.
She’s the author of the top-selling fake book Tunes to Go: 400 Tunes in Lead Sheet Format for the Harp, as well as multiple publications for double-strung harp. Her practical, musician-first approach has earned her teaching spots at national festivals and events like the American Harp Society, the International Society of Folk Harpers and Craftsmen, the Somerset Folk Harp Festival, and The Harp Gathering.
Also a solo recording artist, Cindy’s albums Limberlost Angel and That Night in Bethlehem have been featured on public radio and podcasts. She’s proud to be the first double-strung harpist to win the U.S. National Scottish Harp Championship™—but no matter the harp, her mission is the same: helping harpists feel capable, creative, and confident at their instrument.
When she’s not teaching or performing, you’ll find Cindy watching British TV with her husband and shelter cats, sipping tea (English or French Breakfast—milk, please), or nerding out on trivia, books, and music theory. She’s still waiting for her letter from a certain wizarding school. Learn more at cindyshelhart.com.
Real music. Your way.
I’ll write your permission note.
