Bronn Journey is a Washington based harpist of Welsh heritage who has a great reputation in the Celtic/Folk music scene in the Pacific Northwest.

Bronn and his wife Katherine will be perfomring at the Thursday night Folk Concert at the North American Festival of Wales in Portland, Oregon on September 2, 2010.

Q1 - What part of the United States are you from, and what is your relationship to Wales?

A1 - I was born in Seattle. My grandparents are from North Wales. My grandmother is from Anglesey and my grandfather is from Penryndydreath (near Beddgelert). My grandfather was the music director for the first Gymanfu in Beavercreek, OR at the Bryn Sion church.

Q2 - How important is your Welsh heritage to you and were you exposed to Welsh culture when you were growing up?

A2 - My Welsh heritage is very important as is everyone's heritage. Our ancestors are the building blocks and stepping stones of what makes us who we are today. I am very grateful to the Seattle Welsh Women's Club for giving me an early opportunity to play my harp for an audience when I was young

Q3 - At what age did you start playing the harp and what initially drew you to the instrument?

A3 - I began playing the harp when I was 12. The harp is the Welsh national instrument. My mom wanted me to give the harp a try since she is closely aware of her Welsh ancestry. The Seattle Public Schools had a harp program where students were taught in group lessons. The readily accessibility to the harp was offered so I was enrolled. At the time when I was 12 I was not aware of the privilege that was offered in the public school setting.

Q4 - How would you describe your style of music to those who are unfamiliar with your work?

A4 - I did not take the traditional harpists path of performing classical music. During my high school years, instead of flipping hamburgers for a job, I began to play my harp as background music in fine restaurants and hotels in the Seattle area. That experience lead me to playing popular music. The harpist that everyone knows is Harpo Marx. I play more like Harpo than I do a symphony harpist.

Q5 You have performed in a number of notable venues from Florida to Washington and Maine to California which ones particularly stick out as your favorites?

A5 - It is very difficult to pick a highlight where we have performed. For the answer to this question in this case, I must say a highlight was playing in upstate New York for Jay Williams. He is a delightful man with a delightful family. He is the pastor in a small church in upstate New York in Augusta. Jay took us on a tour to Remsen New York, not far from where we presented our program. Remsen is where my grandmother first lived after she arrived from Wales with her family. If a someone who is aware of their Welsh ancestry and it is important to them, Remsen is a "pilgrimage" that such a person should make. For me, the performing is not the big part. It's the people that we meet that is the important part.

Q6 - How often do you get back to Wales and what is the first thing you try to do when you get there?

A6 - We don't have an opportunity to go to Wales often although the door is open as my mom's cousins have invited us . We hope to go again now that the our son's are out on their own. We can go without feeling guilty about it! My highlight of Wales was taking my mom their for her 80th birthday to see the place where her father was born. Her father was born on a large farm that is located on a hill overlooking Caernarfon Bay. My mother remembers the many stories that her father told of sheering sheep. On the day we drove up the long driveway to the 16th century stone farmhouse, workers were in the barn sheering sheep. It was a special moment in all of our lives to be generationaly connected to the land.

Q7 - Wales, with its incredibly small size and population, seems to produce a remarkable amount of singing and acting talent. Do you have a pet theory as to why this is?

A7 - Music is in the DNA! The land is beautiful in an artistic way. It would be acceptable to indiscriminately take a photo of any place in Wales, have it framed, hang it on a wall and have it considered as a work of art. It makes sense to me that artistic land would be filled with artistic people! The Welsh revival was very influential with the beautiful singing. The greatest work of art is centered around man's belief in God. Consider the great painters and their subjects that they chose. Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel, Leonardo da Vinci and his painting of "The Virgin and Child with St Anne" and thousands of other paintings drawing inspiration from God. God gives us a melody. Some He gives the ability to paint, to the Welsh He gave the gift of music.

Q8 - What are your dreams and ambitions for the future?

A8 - My dreams for the future is to "pass the torch." Carry the torch while we can and to teach others to carry it by encouraging them. We are built on the work that others have done who have gone on before us. I am aware that I am laying a foundation for others. I hope to lead a life that the strong foundations are kept in tact. And of course, I would like the chance to play my harp in Wales.

Q9 - What do you think is the best way for Wales to go about raising its profile abroad?

A9 - The best way for Wales to raise it's profile is for the citizens to be a good example. Being a small business person, it's a question I ask of myself often. I am never going to be a giant in the music field. After all, it' the harp we're talking about. There is a big difference between having a big profile and having a great profile. Through extensive marketing, one could become big. Unfortunately, that's how we elect politicians in this country by marketing. Leading by example is how we become and remain great. That doesn't always lead to fame but it always leads to a good foundation by those coming after us.

Q10 - Do you have any messages for our readers?

A10 - A message for the readers is to keep up the music. Keep on singing. Do a good job at what you are doing. I like to say, "Keep HARPIN" on it!"

For more information and tour dates for Bronn Journey, please visit: www.bronnjourney.com