Hey there, I’m Cindy!
I help harpists move past the notes on the page and play with more freedom and flexibility—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 lead sheets, create 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 simple system to take you from “Where do I even start?” to “Wow, that actually sounds like music!” I also teach online workshops and present at harp festivals, showing harpists how to turn a few chord symbols into music they love (without the panic).
I believe that less is often more, good tea is essential, and all harps are invited—because music isn’t about playing “the right way.” It’s about making it your way.
Want to learn how? Let’s make some music together. 🎶
FOR THE MEDIA
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Lead sheet expert Cindy Shelhart helps harpists use lead sheets to play music they love with confidence, creativity, and freedom. A performing artist, composer, and educator, she makes lead sheets easy, accessible, and fun for all harps. Learn more at cindyshelhart.com.
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Lead sheet expert Cindy Shelhart helps harpists use lead sheets to play music they love with confidence, creativity, and freedom. She is the author of the top-selling fake book Tunes to Go: 400 Tunes in Lead Sheet Format for the Harp and creator of The Lead Sheet Roadmap, which guides harpists from playing written notes on the page to confidently creating their own music. Cindy teaches online workshops and presents at major harp festivals, sharing her practical, stress-free approach with players of all levels. Also a double-strung harp performing artist and composer, her solo albums Limberlost Angel and That Night in Bethlehem have been featured on public radio and podcasts. When she’s not teaching or playing, Cindy loves random trivia, good books, and well-brewed tea—preferably English or French Breakfast. (Pass the milk, please.) She’s still waiting for her letter from a certain magical school. Learn more at cindyshelhart.com.
LONG BIO
Lead sheet expert Cindy Shelhart helps harpists use lead sheets to play music they love with confidence, creativity, and freedom. A performing artist, composer, and educator, she makes playing from lead sheets easy, accessible, and fun for all harps—because music should be about freedom, not frustration.
Cindy created her signature Lead Sheet Roadmap framework to help harpists move from “Where do I even start?” to “Wow, that actually sounds like music!” when faced with a page of just chords and melody. Whether they’re new to lead sheets or looking to improve their arranging skills, her approach gives them the tools and confidence to play the music they love, their way.
She is 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 harps. She has performed and presented for national harp organizations and festivals, including the American Harp Society, the International Society of Folk Harpers and Craftsmen, the Somerset Folk Harp Festival (NJ), and The Harp Gathering (OH). Her solo albums Limberlost Angel and That Night in Bethlehem have been featured on public radio and podcasts.
Cindy is also the first double-strung harp player to win the US National Scottish Harp Championship™, but no matter the harp, her mission is the same: helping players develop skills that set them free at their instrument.
When she’s not teaching or playing, Cindy loves random trivia, good books, and well-brewed tea—preferably English or French Breakfast. (Pass the milk, please.) She’s still waiting for her letter from a certain magical school. Learn more at cindyshelhart.com.
