.:biography:.

Angharad began studying the harp at the age of eight with Sali Wyn Islwyn and later continued her musical training in Cardiff University where she studied the harp with Ann Griffiths. After completing her BMus (Hons) and her Master's postgraduate degree in Performance Studies she studied for a year with Isabelle Perrin at the Ecole Normale de Musique de Alfred Cortot in Paris.

In 1990, at 12 years old, the youngest age eligible to enter the competition, she won first prize at the National Eisteddfod playing the triple harp. It's believed that this was the first time in over 70 years that this difficult and ancient instrument had been heard on the Eisteddfod stage and Angharad created a sensation. She has since won many other prizes and been given numerous awards, including two further first prizes at the Eisteddfod, the David Evans Memorial Prize, the Concerto Prize in the North London Festival and the United Kingdom Harp Association's award for promising young harpists. Angharad has also participated in masterclasses with Isabelle Moretti, Elisabeth Fontan-Binoche, David Watkins, Osian Ellis, Aileen MacArdle, Daphne Boden, Kathleen McBride, Fabrice Pierre, Ieuan Jones and Robin Huw Bowen.

Her performances have been heard throughout the UK, Europe and the USA. Angharad is an accomplished soloist, chamber musician and orchestral player. Her playing has inspired several composers around the world to write music for her.

Teaching

Angharad is committed to bringing music to as many people as possible, and as part of this she regularly plays for daycare, respite and residential homes for the elderly. Another aspect of her outreach work is Angharad's teaching - she teaches the harp at both junior and comprehensive schools, at home to her private pupils of all ages and her workshops which she takes round the country on all or one of her three harps.

Angharad has been teaching for 15 years and currently teaches for Cardiff and the Vale Music Service as well as teaching her private pupils on a one-to-one basis in both Cardiff and Port Talbot. All ages and abilities are catered for - Angharad has a full-size pedal harp and a small lever harp. Teaching and learning should always be instructional and fun; her pupils are encouraged to perform even if it's only for the annual Christmas concert for parents and other family members. A convenient way to chart a pupil's progress is the Grade Exams, but if the pupil just wants to play for enjoyment, then Angharad is happy to teach on this basis. Angharad's pupils have a 100% pass rate at ABRSM Grade Exams. Several of Angharad's pupils have gone on to study the harp at University and Conservatoires.

Please contact Angharad if you want to enquire about any lesson vacancies.

She is very experienced at giving workshops to a variety of ages and number of participants both as a soloist and with other instrumentalists. You can never guess which questions will be asked, especially from the younger children! Masterclasses are also an extremely enjoyable part of Angharad's educational outreach activities.