©2009 www.nelsoncountylife.com : Photos By Tommy Stafford : Virginia Schweninger, Founder & Director, introduces the ensemble playing at Thursday's RVCC performance.

Afton
Nelson County, Virginia
Anyone that knows Virginia Schweninger of Faber, knows she plays the harp like no one else. Beautifully! As part of an annual event, Virginia and her Blue Ridge Harp Ensemble played at a free concert on Thursday afternoon at The Rockfish Valley Community Center. The program is put on for seniors at RVCC, but was open to anyone wanting to attend.

The RVCC auditorium was full of folks stopping in.

Virginia has been playing the harp professionally for over 35 years, performing in orchestras, for weddings, in films, the recording studio, for many famous entertainers. As an orchestral harpist, she has performed with legendary entertainers Sammy Davis Jr., Tina Turner, Jerry Lewis, Melissa Manchester, Carmen Dragon, Rudy Friml, Kenny Rogers and Sandi Patty. She was Principal Harpist with the Burbank Symphony Orchestra and the Santa Monica Symphony in California.

Special guest artist, Nancy Van Zant of Lynchburg, performed on the hand bells, adding a magical touch.

Virginia specializes in playing an enjoyable and eclectic repertoire of the Classics, Broadway, Movie Themes and Traditional Harp Music. She teaches harp at Sweet Briar College and in Charlottesville at the Music Emporium. And also plays each Sunday at Basic Necessities during the brunch hour.

Virginia on the web at: www.virginiasharp.com