Harp lessons in London

I am a Welsh harpist and pianist who has recently moved to Croydon and I enjoy teaching both harp and piano children and adult pupils. I first studied harp, piano, and musicianship at the William Mathias Music Centre in Caernarfon with Elinor Bennett, Iwan Llywelyn Jones and Sioned Webb. Born in Mynytho at the heart of the Llŷn Peninsula, I have enjoyed many successes in Welsh Eisteddfodau and festivals including first prize in harp competitions at the National Eisteddfod and the National Cerdd Dant Festival. I am lucky to have had a variety of unique experiences, including performing Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro and Paul Patterson’s Spiders Web at the Dora Stoutzker Concert Hall, being invited to perform with Catrin Finch at the World Harp Congress in Hong Kong, accompanying choirs on piano and playing keyboard in pit bands. As well as teaching and performing as a soloist, I also enjoy creating music with others and am one-half of harp duo Dwyres alongside my sister. Dwyres are proud to have been a part of Osian Ellis’ 90th birthday celebration concert at Pontio Bangor alongside Bryn Terfel and Hannah Stone which was broadcast on Radio Cymru. I have been giving private harp, theory, aural and piano lessons for the past ten years, taking nearly all my students through the ABRSM syllabus. From January 2018 I spent two years working and teaching at The Purcell School for Young Musicians. I firmly believe that communication with the parents of my younger students regarding the progress of their children is essential, and ensure that I provide regular feedback on their progress. During my time at the Purcell School I taught theory and aural one to one on a weekly basis, giving students an extra boost before their ABRSM exams. I prepared many sixth form students for their grade five theory ensuring that they gained this crucial qualification before entering conservatoire. As part of my continued professional training, I have undertaken a number of activities to enhance my teaching skills. I undertook various PGCE modules at Bangor University and have also participated in workshops and seminars at events such as the Music and Dance Expo, all of which have helped me hone my skills as a teacher and ensure my knowledge of effective teaching practices and exam boards is up to date. Music Qualifications & Achievements: In 2017 I graduated with a Masters degree from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama where she studied with international harpist Caryl Thomas and in 2015 graduated with honours from the Royal Northern College of Music where I studied with Eira Lynn Jones and held the RNCM scholarship. I also hold a DipABRSM diploma and an LRSM diploma in harp performance and have a Grade 8 qualification in piano.

Teaching is my passion! Even before I finished school, I began teaching harp in my hometown and have continued ever since. I have over 20 years of experience teaching, including complete beginners all the way to degree level. I have experience working with students as young as 4, as well as mature students who have always wanted to play the harp and finally took the plunge after retiring - it’s never too late! I work with students to decide on appropriate goals, including improving their reading skills, banishing performance nerves, as well as preparation for graded exams, competitions, scholarship applications and national music programmes or orchestras. I love seeing each student’s progress. My students have enjoyed many successes over the years, including admission to the National Children’s Orchestra, the National Youth Orchestra, prizes at national and international competitions as well as full marks in theory and performance exams. I have studied across the globe, with degrees from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, The Juilliard School in New York and the Royal Academy of Music in London. I have won numerous prizes and scholarships, including at the USA International Harp Competition and the Royal OverSeas League. My 2 CDs have been positively reviewed and played frequently on the radio, and my harp compositions have been played across the world and are on the exam syllabus for Trinity. Despite my busy freelance career, I keep a regular schedule for my teaching as it’s so important for students to have regular lessons in order to progress. I teach harp to all levels, including degree level masterclasses. I also teach music theory and piano to Grade 5.