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Here's what people are saying about my harp playing for events such as weddings, receptions, marriage proposals, birthday parties, memorial services, and holiday parties:

Weddings Ceremonies:

Natalie V. , bride, wedding in Bloomingdale, IL:
"Kari: I wanted to let you know that you were absolutely wonderful at my wedding. You played exactly the music I wanted (especially Bittersweet Symphony, which turned out to be my favorite part of the ceremony) and it all sounded great! You looked simply stunning too! Very elegant! I loved your long hair and your black harp and everything!!! You really made a huge impact on the ceremony. So again, thank you so much for everything that you have done. You were truly one of my favorite parts of my day and I'm glad I went with you as my harpist."

Tonya Lane, bride, wedding in Niles, MI:
"Hi Kari, Thank you so much for being so absolutely wonderful to work with! Your promptness in communicating was always a pleasant surprise, and my general comfort level only increased every time we e-mailed. It was so nice to not have to worry about the music. Beautiful music as a gift to our guests - that's what I had hoped for, and I was SO happy with the results. I'm honestly not a sentimental type - but even I had to fight getting choked up when you accompanied my friends in "The Prayer". Every note I heard from the harp that day was stunning. It was a sheer pleasure working with such a professional. Thanks again!"

Jodie S. , bride, wedding in Alsip, IL:
"Kari was wonderful to work with. She is very accommodating to creating the wedding atmosphere I wanted for my wedding. She gave great recommendations for songs and was very helpful when we went to her home to pick out music. It was such a joy working with her and I can't wait to here the final product of her music on my wedding video as I was a little busy during most of her playing! "

Greg & April Gordon, wedding in Grant Park, IL:
"We had Kari perform for our wedding ceremony and we couldn't have been more pleased. Since our ceremony was held outdoors, we wanted a different kind of tone for our ceremony music, and Kari's harp was the perfect fit. Light and elegant, her music [all classical, as requested] was just what we were looking for. Tastefully dressed, seated behind her beautiful, black and gold harp, Kari herself fit nicely with the classy and charming atmosphere that we hope we created.

She is highly skilled and her playing is splendid. I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone!"

Kristin, bride, wedding in Grant Park, IL:
"Kari was an amazing part of our Victorian wedding. She set a mood of class and distinctiveness that awed everyone. One of our guests is getting married in February and Kari was so great that they got her business card right then and there to have her play at their wedding! It's nice to be complimented on the music at your wedding, but you know it is sincere when they choose the same musician you have! Great job Kari! I am glad to give your recommendation to anyone who will listen!"

Duc Nguyen, groom, wedding at the Glen Club in Glenview, IL:
"Having a harpist perform at your wedding brings grace, elegance, and a touch of class which words can not describe. Kari was so helpful in helping us select our musical pieces and performed impeccably at our wedding. I would highly recommend Kari to anyone looking to host an elegant wedding."

. . . and Receptions:

Susan Izban, bride, wedding reception in Oak Park, IL:
"Kari, I just wanted to thank you again for your beautiful performance at our wedding on May 8. Everyone enjoyed the harp music, and it added so much to our cocktail hour and reception. We received many compliments about your lovely music. We are so glad that you were able to play at our wedding, and you were so professional and easy to work with. (It was great that you always responded back to me right away with any questions I had throughout my planning. That made things easier for me!) In short, we are so very pleased with everything. If I know of anyone else getting married, I will recommend you to them! Thanks again!"

Tara L. , bride, wedding and cocktail hour in Chicago, IL:
"Kari, thank you so much for playing at our wedding! Your music is absolutely beautiful and added such an elegant touch! We also loved how you were able to incorporate a modern twist at our cocktail reception by playing rock songs. Thanks again!!"

Kathleen S. , mother of the bride, wedding and cocktial hour in Lake Forest, IL:
"We met Kari and were thoroughly impressed with her. She played several songs for us at our meeting. We spent a good amount of time choosing songs from her large selection. She arrived on time for our event. It was an outdoor ceremony with rain coming any time. We completed the ceremony and the rain started 2 minutes later. She was completely calm and got herself and her harp indoors quickly and set up playing without a blink. We were able to have a great variety in music during the 1.5 hours she played. Everyone complimented her on her performance. We highly recommend her and are completely satisfied. If another occasion arises, we will surely contact her again. "

Other Occasions and Testimonials:

Steve Wilkinson, PSO Artistic Director (1998-99), PSO Personnel Mgr. (1980-88 & 1998-2002)
commenting on my time as the Peoria Symphony's Principal Harpist:
"Harpist Kari Gardner is producing the most beautifully full harp sound that this [Peoria Symphony] orchestra has ever experienced. I have performed in the PSO since 1968, and Kari has become one of this 106-year-old orchestra's most professional, reliable, and musical assets. Kari has been a real "find" and continues to blend her glorious harp sounds into the orchestral mix with precision and energy. We are fortunate to have her with us!"

Teresa T. Philipp,
birthday party:
"Kari Gardner was a wonderful addition to a fiftieth birthday celebration. Her musical selections were eclectic and a refreshing mix of classical and contemporary, reflecting favorite music. The room was filled with the sound of her strings in the background, present but never overbearing. Conversations were held at comfortable tones as her music accompanied and enhanced thought, laughter and memories."

Suzanne and Doug Bade, holiday party:
"Kari, thank you very much playing at our holiday party. We really enjoyed your playing, as well as received many positive comments from our guests. Your selection of holiday music was excellent. Hopefully, you will be available again next year!"

 Heide MacLean,
funeral memorial service:
"The service was perfect and having you there to play the angelic harp added the "icing on the cake" so to speak. You certainly added an elegant touch to the memorial and I am SO very glad you were there. Your music was beautiful, elegant and so appropriate to the occasion. I was extremely pleased! Thank you again!"

Richard Schwartz, rooftop proposal, Chicago, IL:
"On my engagement night, I relied on Kari Gardner and her beautiful music, to create the perfect mood. I surprised my fiance to be by asking her to escort me with a glass of wine to the rooftop of our condo building. What Lori heard upon setting foot on our rooftop overlooking the skyscrapers of Chicago and Lake Michigan on a gorgeous summer evening, was the soothing and emotionally enriched music from Kari's harp. Kari's music enhanced the special emotions that my fiance and I were about to experience. I proceeded to ask Lori to marry me and spent the next few hours enjoying the scene, eating dinner, and listening to nearly every romantic song that one could think of under the stars. Kari's professionalism, ability to play a wide-range of songs, and overall skill were extremely impressive. Without her music, this most important evening simply would not have been the same."

If you'd like to submit feedback for Kari please click here!

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