Valkyrie
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Elly and daughter Nancy in Ireland
Shirley with the Bardic harp she built
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About the Artist Elly Fithian has felt attracted to Ireland for many years, and she and her daughter Nancy have visited there three times so far. They both love the traditional music, the ancient dolmens and ruins, the fairy lore, the charming people and beautiful scenery, and the Celtic designs which inspire Elly in her art. Elly
first met Shirley in 1981 through the Irish
Special Interest Group of American Mensa. They have collaborated
on three books, and Elly has illustrated sheet music in the Christmas Carols
and Old Hymns series and the Black Bull of Norroway. Elly
lives in Buena Vista, Colorado, where she is a secretary in a lawyer’s
office. She is divorced and has three grown children, and lives with her
menagerie of four cats, four snakes, and two goldfish. About the Composer Shirley
Starke has played the harp since 1980. She is also proficient on the guitar
(which she has taught) and piano; her music education began in childhood with
a piano teacher who emphasized music theory, including the medieval modes
(scales) which Shirley uses extensively in her composing. Shirley has written
music all her life: she has composed more than 400 songs, of which about 120
have been published. Although primarily a composer and arranger, she also teaches the harp and performs for weddings and other events. She is listed as a harpist and composer in the 2012 edition of Who's Who In America. Shirley founded the Irish Special
Interest Group of American Mensa and is newsletter
editor, testing coordinator, and webmaster of North
Dakota Mensa. She is involved in politics as executive director of
North Dakotans for Term Limits and archivist of the Initiative and Referendum Institute. She lives in
Valley City, North Dakota, where she is an active member of St. Catherine’s
Church as a reader, musician, and choir member, and is an associate member of
the Sisters of Mary of the
Presentation. Reviews: Samples: Song lyrics from Voices of the Trees Hear music and read
lyrics “Sleep and rest on my
breast, Little love and my
treasure…” Hear music and read lyrics “But the sound of your voice Filled me with joy, For the breath of your soul Was starlight and fire.” White Hemlocks, Yellow
Violets Hear music and read lyrics “White moonlight, yellow lamplight, and
the green light of leaves, And the morning, and the evening, and a
heart that never grieves.” Hear music and read lyrics “Let me be like a glove on Your hand. Let me be like a harp that You are
playing.” Hear music and read
lyrics “A pity beyond all
telling Is hid in the heart of
love.” Your
Song Before the World Began Illustration by Yolanda
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