Biography
Margaret grew up in Watertown and Lexington, Mass, the daughter of Warren Germain, an attorney who lost his sight while studying law at Columbia University. Warren became a special ed teacher at Perkins School for the Blind, and Margaret grew up with children and adults who had special needs. Seeing how hard these people worked to overcome these difficulties had a profound effect on her life.
Margaret's family moved to Illinois, and Margaret attended Northwestern U. where she studied piano and choral music, and earned a Bachelor of Music Ed. After moving to Florida, Margaret became certified in both music and special ed and worked for the Sarasota County School Board at Oak Park School for 9 years. Drawing on her childhood experiences as the daughter of a blind man who taught blind children, teaching children with special needs came naturally. Much of the time was spent working one on one or in small groups as a music therapist within her role as a music teacher at Oak Park School. She saw the profound affect that music had on even the most handicapped students. During these years, Margaret directed a chorus, called the Singing Club, of 60 handicapped students, taking them to area schools and special events to perform. These were students who were overcoming their barriers through participating in a music activity that helped them to be the best they could be. Margaret’s years of working as a special ed music teacher gave her the background to become a therapeutic harpist for people needing the special affect that therapeutic music can have to help relax and heal. Margaret has always been drawn to the spiritual aspect of music, and spent more than thirty years playing and directing in churches, synogogues, and spiritual centers. In 1994 Margaret started her position as Director of Music and Organist at St. Michael the Archangel Church on Siesta Key, and worked there for 25 years. Margaret is the mother of Benjamin Barber, who is an Eagle Scout, a photographer, an entrepreneur, and a fine young man. Benjamin did the photography and graphics for the Harping For Peace CD. In 2018, Margaret married the love of her life, Jamie Besterfield. Margaret and Jamie enjoy singing together and developing various types of music programs. They enjoy traveling and camping in their camper and spend much of the summer on the road, hiking and exploring state parks. |