FW Harp (Harpist)

FW Harp is not your ordinary harpist!

She is self taught and plays by ear with a delicate and innovative touch using a selection of harps providing varied sounds depending on the occasion all with the sonorous full orchestral 'bassy' sound of the triple harp. With rave reviews from concerts and private bookings alike she is bringing the art and history of the harp to a new level in the UK making her own instruments and even performing with bells on her ankles and rings on her fingers as well as tapping & drumming the instrument's sound board to complete the effect for more folky tunes. She can also add to all this by performing her own compositions if required!

Wedding package
For weddings she uses a sit-down traditional harp and will add the bells rings and tapping at your request only of course if the sound would be right for the event.

The wedding package is adaptable but the price generally includes playing guests into the venue, the bridal entrance, signing of the register, the couple leaving, playing outside (so long as not in direct sunlight and not in rain) or inside during drinks and playing during the meal for 90 minutes or up until speeches. The total performance time is usually for 3 hours with breaks in between.

Parties etc
FW Harp uses a larger stand-up harp for corporates and cocktail parties, which has a more modern image and is ideal for events such as art gallery openings etc.

Recitals, school visits & public speaking
For historical recitals, FW Harp has a selection of crinolines and Elizabethan costumes which she can perform in, adding an even more authentic feel to events such as the many National Trust functions which she has appeared at. She is also an informed public speaker about the history of the harp and will speak at your event or attend schools and colleges for lectures etc.

Recent venues include:
Eclectic jazz & cafe bars - both in the UK and USA, FW Harp plays her own compositions and adaptations of folk.

World folk/folk festivals - most recently MusicPort (Whitby) - “ASTOUNDING!!”

Rock venues - (yes really!!) sometimes to chill-out and/or on main stage whilst bands are swapped over. - Support and good luck wishes received from; Led Zeppelin, Guns ’n’ Roses, Terrorvision and NRBQ!

Weddings - Her vast repertoire and versatility make her very popular at top venues around the North of England.

Speaking - FW Harp’s intros have become popular in the field of entertainment and her research into harp history is widely appreciated (and you get great music as well!)

Schools - workshops on the history and music of the harp through the ages with costumes for primary age groups. Every group can be tailored to suit many aspects of the national curriculum.

Community centres and hospices - the therapeutic and inspirational effect of the harp is well-known and combined with FW Harp’s innovative approach makes her regular visitor to local help centres etc. She encourages ‘hands-on’ and takes some small cymbals for public participation of any age. She is also involved in a project to bring music to the bereaved, following in the footsteps of one of the historical uses of the harp. Lady at ‘Help the Aged’ workshop - “You took the mystery out of music for me”

What they say about FW Harp:
"Sheer magic" - National Trust

"You really must go and see this amazing Harper"- Musician's Union

"Hard to imagine its just one woman and her harp making that sound” - Jenny Murray (BBC Radio 4)

“A unique and delicious sound… stirring and wild… a heady brew… fascinating and enjoyable” - Manchester Evening News

“I don’t think there’s anyone in the world playing like you… I don’t think there ever has been” - International Harp Journal (Claus Huttel)

“She doesn’t simply pluck the strings; she hammers them, strums them and drums her fingers on the harps sound board” - Telegraph & Argus

Additional written references are available on request from Alive Network - please ask your agent

Please note: FW Harp is available to play for up to 3 x 60 minutes, provided this fits within a time slot which does not have long breaks between, before, or after each 60 minute slot.