In the heart of Hooksett is a genuine Renaissance woman named DeLuna.

In her music studio, DeLuna surrounds herself with various unique instruments from the Renaissance era and from all over the world. DeLuna plays the harp, recorder, flute, bowed psaltery, hammer dulcimer, percussion, bells, singing bowls and many other instruments.

DeLuna, her name inspired by her childhood mentor, said she moved to Hooksett five years ago after growing tired of her gypsy travels of playing concerts and performing in various fairs and festivals throughout the United States.

“This place just opened up for me, as if it were waiting for us,” she said. “I love that I am close enough to the ocean and the mountains. Hooksett is a very mellow and friendly place to live.”

There is something truly magical and uplifting about DeLuna’s music, and beautiful just doesn’t seem a strong enough word to describe it and her kindhearted personality.

When asked about her music, it is easy to see DeLuna is passionate about it, for her blue eyes shine and she smiles like someone who truly enjoys their work. She is very enthusiastic about playing, stopping in the middle of the interview to play a song or to show an instrument.

DeLuna, 56, said she was born in Malta and moved to America when she was 10 years old with her parents and sister. Her father was a British Navy officer and her mother was from Malta. During her childhood travels, DeLuna discovered that art and music were her passions.

“During my youth, the art room was the place that made the most sense to me,” she said. She was able to use her creative talents and imagination to be a painter, fine artist, textile designer and freelance artist. She also branched out to design jewelry and clothes.  She said being an artist made it possible for her to be home to raise her son, who has since grown and has three children.

Then, when DeLuna turned 40, her life became all about music. A self-taught batik artist, painter and musician, DeLuna said she fell in love with the harp after breaking up from a relationship. The man she loved gave her a harp as a parting gift. With a broken heart, she packed her belongings and drove to see a friend in Virginia.

“My friend had a little place tucked between two mountain tops with a creek across the street. I thought to myself ‘I can really create here,’ so I unpacked my car and started playing the harp. I couldn’t put it down. It entranced me. The sound of the vibrations brought solace to my soul that I had never found before, and it was so healing for me. During that period of time, the harp and my music really started to talk to me and it was a real comfort.”

DeLuna learned not only time, but music heals the broken heart. She said she always had a musical heart and creative imagination. “The birds taught me,” she laughingly shared, but really she is self taught and believes it comes from within her soul.

DeLuna said she enjoys encouraging people interested in music and telling stories through the art of music. “I don’t need to speak because the music does it for me.”

Now a certified music practitioner, DeLuna plays the harp to help promote wellness and healing. She performs in hospitals and nursing homes during various stages of life. The experience of playing the harp for individuals in hospice has been especially powerful, she said, because music helps provide healing on so many levels and brings joy during a very difficult time.

“There are so many therapeutic benefits to it,” she said. “The vibrations of the harp are totally harmonious. By offering the sounds and harmony of the harp, their bodies absorb it and it brings harmony to their whole body, so during their transition they can leave harmoniously. With the help of the music, they feel more support and less pain,” DeLuna said. “It is meaningful to help bring joy to someone who is in the middle of suffering and to be a part of their journey.”

DeLuna plays the harp most Fridays at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester. She plays in the ICU, in the lobby and in patients’ rooms. She has a broad repertoire of music which includes soulful early music, Renaissance, world folk, holiday, classical, popular music from 1900 to today, and many romantic ballads. She also writes her own music and is currently working on a CD toward the inspiration of healing and joy.

According to Sister Andrea McDonald, director of pastoral care at CMC, DeLuna’s music helps bring comfort to patients and their families.

“She is wonderful for patients, especially those who are going through the dying process,” she said. “Her beautiful music has a healing effect on the patients, families and staff. When she plays, we notice a change in the monitor patterns. Patients become more relaxed, blood pressure and the heart rate decreases.”

McDonald said the hospital has received many letters and phone calls from patients and their family members saying how much they appreciate how calming the music was to them and their loved ones during their stay.

“She really is an asset to the staff because her music has a welcoming, calming effect, which helps make the hospital visit more pleasant when normally it may be difficult and stressful. DeLuna also plays for our memorial Mass on the last Wednesday of every other month for the families who have had their loves one pass away at the hospital.”

De Luna is also available for corporate Wellness Programs, which she said offers employees an opportunity to reduce stress in the workplace. Along with her concerts, DeLuna teaches individuals of all ages and abilities.

“I love playing for myself, but I love empowering other people to play even more,” she said. “I would like to convey how the harp sounds beautiful at whatever level you play it, so it is a very encouraging instrument. You also get to enjoy the beautiful vibrations while you play.”

For more information on De- Luna, visit www.delunaharps. com, or call 647-0622.