November
What's New?
Choirs seem to be the theme of the month, since I start rehearsing with the Elizabethan Singers, directed by Andrew Willoughby. It is always heartening to meet a musician who is open to collaborating on new and exciting repertoire. This will be a very special concert, on December 13th, for harp and choir. It will include original works by Gemma McGregor, Sarah Deere-Jones, Benjamin Britten and carol arrangements by Stephen Paulus, Bob Chilcott and John Rutter. In addition I will play solo pieces on lever harp by Tasmin Dearnley and Ailie Robertson.
Our concert is FREE for everyone, but tickets need to be booked in advance HERE
... or scan this QR code
At the end of this month, my first Ceremony of Carols of the year will be with Louth Choral Society. I am thrilled to be working again with Graham Eccles, who will be playing the organ in the same concert. We recorded a CD of music for Organ and Harp when he was organist at St. Asaph Cathedral. It’s going to be a great November of music making!
October
Autumn days are filled with preparations for orchestral concerts and recitals. A daily practice schedule ensures that I keep fully on track for a busy month.
From Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, to recitals in Harrogate and Lincoln. There is also a city break to celebrate my husband’s birthday.
As I prepared the Psalms, Steve told me that, as a student, a friend and he were on a train to Ely, when they unexpectedly got chatting with Dean Walter Hussey, who had commissioned the work for the 1965 Southern Cathedrals Festival at Chichester Cathedral. Little did he know that, years later, whilst working at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, he would actually meet the composer himself during the LSO’s 1986 Bernstein Festival, which included the GSMD’s performance of his Mass.
Another great hidden story!
What's New?
September
What's New?
August was filled with giving myself space. It was time to relax, travel and to celebrate.
The celebration was a meeting in Paris with composer, Martin Ellerby. A fitting end to a three year collaboration on new music for harp, culminating in a new CD, soon to be released.
One of the works is a suite called Bistros de Paris. We had a cocktail at Le Train Bleu and a meal at Georgette, with this wonderful music still singing in my head.
Teaching has begun, and I am delighted to welcome new students and greet returning ones. Schedules are in place, 2B pencils sharpened, goals set and off we go for another academic year.
August
It’s been a busy season of orchestral work, recitals and teaching. There have been many highlights, and I am thankful for all the support along the way. Planning the solo tour has been joyful, and I am delighted to announce that I have a longer one planned for 2026. Dates will appear on my Solo Concerts page in January.
Time off is essential for any musician and, although it’s tempting to keep on working, it’s time to put the cover on the harp and enjoy some relaxation.
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See you in September!
What's New?
July
What's New?
It has been an amazing start to my summer tour: meeting the organisers who work so hard to keep live music going, playing in superb acoustics; and then the audience reaction afterwards. A highlight has been 60 primary school children all lining up to have a go on my harp! Maybe I’ve inspired a few new players there.
This month, I will give the premiere of Martin Ellerby’s Les Bistros de Paris. It was inspired by the book Discovering Paris Bistros, by Gaston Wijnen. They are delightful musical representations of favourite eateries.
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2nd St Mary Magdalene, Lincoln 7.30pm
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15th St. Andrew’s Church, Rugby 1pm
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16th Blackburn Cathedral 12.15pm
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20th Launde Abbey, Leicestershire 3pm
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June
The programme for my solo tour, starting this month, is a set of musical mosaics: short pieces held together by the theme of peace and tranquility. A chance for audiences to listen to varied repertoire on pedal harp and clarsach: Debussy, Andrès, Britten, Ellerby, Stadler, Gershwin and traditional folk tunes.
What's New?
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1st Radbourne Church, Derby 2pm
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6th Bury Parish Church 12.30pm
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7th Lancaster Priory 10.30am
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12th St Botolph’s, Boston 1pm
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14th Rochdale Parish Church Noon
May
What's New?
The month of May reflects the different strands of my work. I will be back at the Bridgewater Hall joining the Hallé when Sir Mark Elder returns to conduct Strauss’ epic Alpine Symphony, complete with wind machine and cowbells (May 10th).Then returning for Summer Classics (May 24th) for Debussy’s exquisite L’après midi d’un faun.
As well as preparing my own pupils for end of year exams, I am Guest Tutor for the harp students at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and will enjoy hearing works by Tournier, Mathias, Cardon and Vesje.
A chance meeting with singer, Kate Witney, a few years ago, has led to us preparing a concert for voice and harp. Alongside classical works by Rubbra, Mendelssohn and Elgar, we will also perform pieces by Deborah Henson-Conant, and folk-song arrangements by Isobel Mieras. A fun fact is that Kate’s sister is also a harpist - no pressure then!
April
I’m often asked have you played other instruments? I started the piano from the age of 5, was Joint First Study at Music College, and even continued during my Masters Degree. Too many harps take up my studio, so these days there is no room for a piano as well.
At secondary school, I was offered the chance to try the bassoon. Those were the halcyon days, when children were given access to instruments and received excellent tuition. It also gave me my first opportunity to play in an orchestra: and the rest, as they say, is history. Eventually the harp took over, but I still listen out for those bassoon solos in the orchestra.
A few years ago, I was invited to collaborate with bassoonist Laurence Perkins. We recorded Bax’s Threnody and Scherzo for bassoon, harp and string sextet for his brilliant Voyage of a Sea-God CD. It is a disc which is a celebration of 20th century repertoire for the instrument.
At the same session, we recorded Henri Sauguet’s beautiful Barcarolle. This will now be released on May 2nd.
Look out for the Honey-Coloured Cow CD!
(Hyperion/Universal Classic).
What's New?
March
What's New?
This is a poignant month, with memories surfacing from 5 years ago. In March 2020 my working life changed, with a 12 month hiatus in performing live due to the Covid pandemic. My harp was silent for a while, but I slowly returned to the harp in an unexpected way. I started composing again. Songs of Hope consists of three short pieces written during those unsettling times and describe what I couldn’t put into words.
Never Far Away was a reminder that, despite world events, friends and family were always there.
Every Single Breath is a depiction of the rise and fall of our breath, which we took for granted until images from hospitals stopped us in our tracks.
Another Day was written as a tribute to medical and key workers who faced each day to keep the world moving.
Since the set was published, they have been played across the world and in unusual settings: from online concerts to vaccination centres. That time is a distant memory but the pieces live on.
I am including them in my recitals this year, as an expression of hope for a kinder and more peaceful world.
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Listen to Every Single Breath​​
February
Exploring and developing repertoire for the Clarsach (lever harp) is a passion for me. The instrument is associated with traditional music, but I believe that it has an important place in classical, contemporary programmes.
I’ve enjoyed introducing new works by Sally Beamish, Anna Appleby, John Reeman, Eddie McGuire, Stephen Henriksen, Fiona Clifton-Welker and Bill Connor.
My '… from within' CD is one of few albums with both instruments side by side. It is heartening to see that since then many other harpists are now including both harps in their concerts.
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This month I will give the world premiere of Martin Ellerby's Epitaph XVIII: Crio! (Aberfan). The tragedy of Aberfan on October 21st 1966 was a national disaster.
This beautiful piece stands in tribute to the 116 children and 28 adults who lost their lives that day.
Crio is the Welsh word for crying.
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What's New?
Exploring and developing repertoire for the Clarsach (lever harp) is a passion for me. The instrument is associated with traditional music, but I believe that it has an important place in classical, contemporary programmes.
I’ve enjoyed performing hidden gems by Sally Beamish, Anna Appleby, John Reeman, Eddie McGuire, Mary Ann Kennedy, Fiona Clifton-Welker and Bill Connor. My ‘… from within’ CD is one of few albums with both instruments side by side. It is heartening to see that since then many other harpists are now including both harps in their concerts.
January
What's New?
This year, I have many pupils requesting Zoom lessons, and I’ve opened up more times for this. They are extremely popular as they can fit in with everyone’s busy schedules, cutting down on the cost of travel, and of course enabling harpists from all over the world to access my unique brand of teaching. Not sure? Then book a short, trial lesson to find out how it works!
Each month, I offer a limited number of Power Hour sessions for those who want specific topics to be covered. They can range from technical revision, teaching tips, exam preparation to a general reboot.
“You have inspired me in my harp playing, and now I have more confidence to perform in public” Jane
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“My pupils are already reaping the rewards of my teaching session with you. I feel more confident in my method, and I am loving the repertoire suggestions” Alex
I now have a harp studio in Lincolnshire,
with a range of harps to try, and to hire.
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Beginner to advanced pupils are welcome
to sign up for in-person sessions.
