I really enjoyed teaching at the fantastic Retreat to the Harp weekend earlier this summer. The participants were great and I thoroughly enjoyed teaching all the groups. The highlight for me (apart from all the delicious food) was hearing my arrangement of Deliverance being performed by over 20 harpists on the final day. I managed to film a video of it being played outside, so please excuse the wind! I am thinking about selling my arrangement as a PDF in my online shop so let me know if that’s something you would be interested in.

This summer I will be stepping into the shoes of Hannah Phillips and teaching at Retreat to the Harp in Oxfordshire. The annual summer residential retreat for adult harpists is run by Keziah Thomas, who is also one of the tutors. There are several classes divided by ability, ensemble playing, concerts and a chance to meet lots of harpists. I can’t wait!

The TMSA Young Trad Tour kicks off tomorrow with our first gig at the Tower in Helensburgh. You can expect some brand new material, arrangements of traditional tunes and catchy songs, all of which we will be recording. The album will be available to purchase from July onwards. Make sure to check back for updates!

The full tour dates are:

Tuesday 30th May – The Tower, Helensburgh –  Doors 7.30pm

Tuesday 6th June – Lismore Public Hall – Doors 8.00pm

Wednesday 7th June – The Nevis Centre, Fort William – Doors 7.30pm

Thursday 15th June – Summerhall, Edinburgh – Doors 7.30pm

Wednesday 19th July – Drygate Brewery, Glasgow – Doors 7.30pm

Monday 31st July – Stromness Town Hall, Orkney – Doors 7.30pm

Tickets will be available to buy on the door and are £10/8 concession. Hope to see some of you there!

I had an amazing time teaching at this years Edinburgh Harp Festival. My course in Scottish Music from the Islands went really well. As well as learning tunes from Orkney, Shetland and Skye, participants enjoyed some island produce – cheese, oatcakes, fudge and puffin poo! Thanks to all the lovely people who came along to learn new tunes.

I was also an extremely proud teacher as a group of my students from the Junior Conservatoire took part in the biggest selling concert of the festival, The Magic of the Harp. As well as playing with another 60 young harpists they performed a solo slot in the middle. Well done girls!

As usual Celtic Connections lit up Glasgow over a grey January putting on some really special gigs. I had a great time performing alongside last years Young Trad finalists at our first gig as a group. We are hoping to record an album in the near future as well as take our music on tour to all of our hometowns, more info to come! 

I am really looking forward to teaching a weekend course at this years Edinburgh International Harp Festival. My course will be elementary/intermediate standard and we will be learning a selection of old and new tunes from various different islands in Scotland. Booking is now open and can be done through the EIHF website here. The program this year looks great with a huge selection of classes and concerts, I can’t wait.