I grew up in the highlands of Scotland and it was there that I was first introduced to the clarsach, or Scottish harp. I began learning to play the clarsach while I was at school, and I’ve continued to enjoy playing since then.
I have two harps, a Starfish Glencoe which was made in Ballachuilish, near Fort William, and a Salvi Donegal (shown in the picture to the right) which was made in Italy.
Over the years I’ve performed at lots of music festivals, concerts, weddings and functions across Scotland. I keep up to date with new techniques and arrangements by attending workshops, masterclasses and events in Glasgow, Edinburgh and further afield. I perform mainly as a soloist, but I’ve also performed with a small clarsach ensemble, as well as with Na Clarsairean, the clarsach orchestra run by the Edinburgh branch of the Clarsach Society.
I have a really wide and varied taste in the music I listen to and perform, and have experience in arranging different styles of music for the clarsach, ranging from traditional tunes to contemporary songs. I also sing with self-accompaniment on the harp, and play the piano, guitar and just recently started bagpipe lessons too.
I moved to Glasgow a few years ago to go to university, and settled here after spending time studying in Lille, France and teaching English in Tokyo. I decided to continue my studies and combine my interests in music and teaching, and I’m currently studying a BEd Music degree at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (formerly the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama). |
