Tunes of the highlands come to Longboat Key

By Dana Kampa
| 5:15 a.m. March 23, 2026

Tasha Robinson has played the harp for 35 years. On St. Patrick's Day, she performed with two of her instruments at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church before attendees enjoyed an Irish-themed holiday dinner.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Music lovers were treated to a blend of traditional Irish, Welsh and Scottish tunes this St. Patrick's Day on Longboat Key.

Tasha Robinson, a harp player of 35 years, played her medley for attendees of the March 17 holiday celebration at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church. Rev. David Marshall and Director of Music and Organist David Stasney offered a warm welcome.

Robinson shared the Celtic tunes while educating listeners about her instrument of choice.

She played iconic songs like "Danny Boy" and "Loch Lomond," along with other songs through the decades, like the traditional Irish slip jig, "Fig for a Kiss." For some, she accompanied the harp with vocals, but for other tunes she focused solely on teasing out the harp's ethereal notes.

Robinson trained at the Cincinnati Conservatory, University of Toronto and the Glenn Gould Professional School. She has played internationally with various organizations, including as the principal harpist with the Ocala Symphony for over a decade.

Attendees, almost all of whom fittingly wore their brightest green attire, shared their appreciation for this year's program. Robinson invited them to come up to the stage and get a closer look at the harps, and many visitors excitedly said it was the first time they ever got to pluck a string.

After the show, attendees made their way into the community hall for a meal of corned beef, potatoes, cabbage, soda bread and other themed treats prepared by congregation members.

Rev. David Marshall welcomes attendees to the St. Patrick's Day concert and dinner at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church.

Director of Music and Organist David Stasney introduces the musical program for St. Patrick's Day at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church.

Tasha Robinson explains the differences between a "harper" and "harpist" while playing her instrument.

A perpetual smile remained fixed on Tasha Robinson's face as she played her harp.

Richard and Carol Haynes take the opportunity to examine musician Tasha Robinson's harp at her invitation following the St. Patrick's Day performance.

Fan Oleson chats with harp player Tasha Robinson after the show. She and Andrea Carver said they especially appreciated seeing the concert because Oleson's granddaughter plays the instrument.

David Stasney dishes up corned beef and cabbage for the traditional Irish dinner congregation members at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church prepared.

Paula Norwood and Beverly Henry get ready to sit down to the St. Patrick's Day dinner.

St. Patrick's Day has become a highly anticipated holiday celebration at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church.

Bob Morrissey, Jinx Kochan, Natalie Davis, Cathie Wilt and David Stasney were part of the kitchen team extraordinaire for the St. Patrick's Day dinner.

author

Dana Kampa

Dana Kampa is the Longboat Key neighbors reporter for the Observer. She first ventured into journalism in her home state of Wisconsin, going on to report community stories everywhere from the snowy mountains of Washington State to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. She has been a writer and photographer for more than a decade, covering what matters most to readers.