Dive into the fantastic world of folk harp playing! For a weekend dedicated to harpists.
We’re delighted to welcome back Steph West and Irene Watt to lead a weekend of harp workshops and sessions in our annual weekend dedicated to harp playing in a folk context. We are also delighted to announce our third tutor is composer, performer and multi instrumentalist Stacey Blythe.
Using a range of repertoire we’ll explore the music, arrangements and techniques for playing the harp in traditional music.
With classes for players of all levels.
There will be a tutors’ concert on Saturday evening and plenty of time for informal playing and socialising!
Who is it for?
All courses will work by ear, with music provided at the end. The video guides from the tutors below should help you to select your level.
For players of any level
For complete beginners, and those who have taken a beginners course but want a refresher. Working on basic technique, making a great sound and learning how to play in comfort. We work slowly and carefully with more individual attention.
We hope to be able to offer Harp Hire at the usual cost of £20. This will need to be booked in advance so let us know if you will need a harp hire at the time of booking if you wish to reserve one of these.
More advanced sessions for players who can already perform a simple tune. We’ll work steadily and calmly on building your skills and include some technique work if needed.
There will also be options for for more advanced players who want something more challenging.
The Team
Steph West Harpist and singer Steph works as a performer, teacher and workshop leader. She embraces both English and Irish trad styles, working with artists and organisations in both fields.
Steph currently plays with the English Harp Project, celebrating English folk tunes on the harp through concerts and workshops.
The only harpist with 9.5 fingers, Steph works within the integrated/disabled arts world as a performer with the British Paraorchestra and RNS Moves, and has mentored for Open Up Music who are pioneering the National Open Youth Orchestra.
Irene Watt is a harpist and singer from North East Scotland. She is a popular teacher of Clarsach and as well as the Edinburgh International Harp Festival, she has taught in the USA, the Middle East and in Europe. She brings her expertise in Scottish music including beautiful slow airs, lilting songs & lullabies, as well as jaunty jigs and dance tunes. However Irene has an eclectic taste in music and has also jazz, swing, pop and classics in her repertoire. Her relaxed and fun approach encourages learners to progress their playing and she always offers options to cover different levels of confidence and playing ability. So expect a fun class where you will learn a lot and with the odd surprise or two.
Stacey Blythe is a Composer, performer, and multi instrumentalist who has performed all over the UK and America. She is a regular composer for the Welsh National Opera’s max department (new opera ‘9 stories high’ is coming soon!). She also performs with Ffynnon and Elfen duo.She has toured and recorded as a composer and performer with many different artists (Maria Hayes), poets (including Patrick Jones), musicians (Dylan Fowler, Julie Murphy, Meredith Monk) and storytellers including Nick Hennessey. Stacey is currently touring with Adverse Camber, ‘Hunting the giants daughter’ with Michael Harvey and Lynne Denman.