I made this bowl in Tokyo, so why did I go to Oslo to pick it up?

The USA International Harp Competition, that’s why.

When we talk about the host family program at the USAIHC, we often say things like, “get an inside view of the competition” and “learn about other cultures face to face” and, the big one– “make friends from around the world.” Is that real, or just a marketing platitude?

Oh, it is very real.

The story of my little bowl starts with the fact that my husband Ed and I have been hosts for the last 4 harp competitions.

Each competition has a fairly large number of returning harpists who enjoy a warm reunion with their host family. We were so lucky to have Nanako and Nagisa return to us for the 12th competition in 2022– and they were already friends with one of our Stars of Tomorrow from that year– Momoko.

Nanako’s mother, Miwa, and Momoko’s mother, Natsuko, were also here in Bloomington. We felt very lucky to have “our harpists” with us and to meet their mothers too. We enjoyed several meals together and had a splendid time. Of course, they encouraged me to visit them in Japan.

Well, I’ve wanted to visit Japan since I was 11 years old. So, I finally did.

In April/May 2024 I went to Japan! My very first full day there I met Miwa. Her daughter Nanako, was studying abroad in Paris, so sadly, I didn’t see her. But Miwa and I met up with Momoko and her Mom, Natsuko for dinner and karaoke!

You can ask me about how Natsuko and Kaori helped me recover my lost phone from Kyoto!

I didn’t expect any of this when I booked my trip. I thought maybe we’d go to dinner a couple of times. I didn’t expect them to practically drop everything to take me places, share amazing food, and, and, AND a hundred other kindnesses– but if I had known them since we were teenagers I could not have been made more welcome or had a better time. 

Now, about the bowl. I like to do things, not just buy souvenirs. I had the beautiful experience with Natsuko’s calligraphy teacher, cut glass with Miwa, made daifuku, got to wield an actual katana sword, was buried in hot black lava sand, Kaori’s mother-in-law showed me how to make pictures using dried flowers, Natsuko and I made wax tempura– and I made a little hand thrown bowl.

If you know anything about making pottery, you know it takes two trips through a kiln to go from raw clay to ceramic dish. But I only had 3 days left, not enough time. Natsuko was kind enough to receive the bowl when it was done, in anticipation that she and Momoko would be coming to the 13th Competition in May 2025.

But then Momoko went to study harp in Oslo (Norway). 

Hmm...

In January of 2025, I planned a trip to Spain & Portugal to visit friends.

It was easy to add a few days to the start of my trip to visit Momoko in Oslo (and check another “always wanted to go there” country on my bucket list). But mostly, I wanted to see Momoko.

Momoko and her Mom, Natsuko feel like family, the best kind, the kind you really do want to spend holidays with. Can’t get enough of them.

Momoko had brought the little bowl with her to Oslo so I could take it home with me.

That is one well-travelled little bowl.

Yes, Momoko stayed with me during the 13th, as did Nanako and Nagisa. Momoko’s Mom and Dad were here too, but we didn’t get nearly enough time together because I was working every day at the competition!

We had a birthday party for Ed– pictured are Mai, Nagisa, Deb, Nanako, Momoko, Ed, Natsuko, Natalie and Zhong Ming.

None of these splendid experiences and relationships would have happened if not for the Host Family program of the USA International Harp Competition.

I keep in touch with them through the year. I am looking forward to Momoko returning for the 14th competition, to stay with me. The other harpists are getting jobs in orchestras and who knows whether they will decide to compete again. But they all know that there is a warm welcome and a place to stay any time.

You never know what amazing things can happen if you put yourself out there and start the ball rolling with a little kindness.