Editor’s note: This is the second in a series profiling four local harpists nominated as Great Kids by their teacher, Victoria Lidmark.ANNAGAIL, 11Years playing harp: ThreeTeacher says: “Annagail Hoskins has been a Celtic harp student of mine for one year. Her sister Mariel Hoskins, plays with her in duet music. She has played for public events, such as for Ruth Graham, when she visited the crisis-pregnancy-center fundraiser here in the Springs, as well as for the grand opening of the center. … They play their Celtic harps beautifully together and in solos as well. Their parents are Steven and Caia Hoskins.”Endeavors: Teaches harp to other kids; performs at assisted-living centers, church, Salvation Army and Springs Rescue Mission; climbs mountains (“They just hiked their second fourteener on Saturday with their dad,” Caia Hoskins said); memorizes Bible verses.Q&AWhy did you start playing the harp?“Because it was a really beautiful instrument, and these good friends of ours were doing it, so we just came a half-hour before our church lesson (for a harp lesson), and I really liked it.”Do you have a favorite piece to play?“Well, I just really like playing hymns and worship music.”Of all the places you’ve performed, which is your favorite?I liked playing for the Old Colorado City Pregnancy Center because it made me really happy to know that I was helping unborn babies live, and to have their right to life, even though some people don’t want them to live.”HobbiesHiking with her dad, ballet, sewing and drawing.  Her favorite books are historical fiction.Anything else you want people to know about you?“I just love my family. I love home-schooling, and I just want to give all the glory to God. He’s been so good to us.”Mom says: The girls usually play for free, but any money they raise goes to the “harp fund.” Celtic harps cost $3,000 and more. Right now, they are renting their harps.“They have a very sweet spirit, both of them.”MARIEL, 8 (turns 9 late this month)Years playing harp: Almost threeTeacher says: “I have known Mariel Hoskins for over a year. She is a home-schooled child, very bright and cheerful. She bakes homemade bread, reads huge books — she brings them to her lesson to read while her older sister, Annagail, takes her lesson — and she learns her music very quickly. Her smile is catching, and she is always ready to play her harp for an event.”Endeavors: Has played Celtic harp at several weddings, at assisted-living centers, church, Salvation Army and Springs Rescue Mission; does worship ballet; hikes.Q&AWhy did you start playing the harp?“Well, we met a family at a church group, and their daughters play the harp, so we started taking lessons from them.”Do you have a favorite song to play on harp?“I like playing hymns and worship music.”Why do you like playing at assisted-living places?“I like blessing them, and seeing the look on their faces, how they’re so relaxed. That they just love it.”How often do you practice?“About an hour a day.”What else do you want people to know about you or harp-playing?“Just give all the glory to God. He gave us these harps, and it’s just wonderful playing for him.”FIND OUT MOREThe Hoskins Sisters’ Web site, with information on booking them or seeing them live, is www.coloradospringsharpists.com.

Mariel, left, and Annagail Hoskins played at a harp recital. Mariel is a fourth-grader and Annagail is a sixth-grader. Both are home-schooled. Photo by COURTESY OF CAIA AND STEVEN HOSKINS