About
A job or a passion?
My passion for music is something I have had for as long as I can remember.
My passion for people is the same, people are fascinating!
I think the joining of these two passions translates to my love of teaching. Watching people change and grow, sharing in their struggles and their wins, the privillage of being part of that learning journey, I am so lucky in what I do!
My passion for people is the same, people are fascinating!
I think the joining of these two passions translates to my love of teaching. Watching people change and grow, sharing in their struggles and their wins, the privillage of being part of that learning journey, I am so lucky in what I do!
Qualifications
BA Hons (1st Class) Scottish Music Principal Study Harp
PGDip with Distinction Performance Studies in Scottish Harp
MEd Learning and Teaching the Arts (currently completing)
PGDip with Distinction Performance Studies in Scottish Harp
MEd Learning and Teaching the Arts (currently completing)
My journey so far...
So how did I get to where I am now? It's been a long road, sometimes a steep one, sometimes a winding one and always an exciting one! Let's break this down...
1986
Born
1991
Trip to the ballet, front row seats with my Mum. Came away with a fascination for harp…not a desire to become a ballerina…sorry mum!
Cue 10 years of begging for a harp!!
Cue 10 years of begging for a harp!!
2001
Started learning harp
2004
Delighted to be accepted to study harp at university level
2006
Make or break time, struggled a lot with the first two years of university. Felt like a fish out of water - everyone around me had been learning since single digit age.
It was time to either give up, or work seriously hard…
It was time to either give up, or work seriously hard…
2008
Graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama with a first class honours BA in Traditional music and Scottish harp
2009
Achieved distinction in PGDip Harp Performance Studies
2010
Forging a career for myself. I began touring, playing solo gigs - anything and everything I could! I was lucky to travel round Europe, America and Canada performing and teaching.
I also began building my harp school. Having tutored students throughout university, I began to develop my teaching skills and studied a variety of music teaching approaches including Suzuki, Kodàly and Orf Schulwerk.
I also began building my harp school. Having tutored students throughout university, I began to develop my teaching skills and studied a variety of music teaching approaches including Suzuki, Kodàly and Orf Schulwerk.
2011
Accepted a position teaching harp at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
2014
Top Floor Taivers is formed! I enjoy some wonderful years with these ladies - Tina on keys, Claire on vocals and Grainne on fiddle. The band tour Scotland and Europe over the next 7 years.
2015
Finalist in the BBC Young Traditional Musician of the year.
I work as part of a team to develop a number of teaching modules at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
I work as part of a team to develop a number of teaching modules at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
2016
Teaching is becoming more and more exciting and I find my focus drawn to this area more than ever.
I’m invited as a teacher trainer to a number of events across the UK and Europe and I love these exciting new opportunities.
I’m invited as a teacher trainer to a number of events across the UK and Europe and I love these exciting new opportunities.
2017
Top Floor Taivers release album ‘Delecate Game’
I launch my first online teaching course ‘Technique Tuesday’
I launch my first online teaching course ‘Technique Tuesday’
2019
My debut solo album ‘Nae Sweets For Shy Bairns’ is released.
2020
My online teaching grows and I launch the Harp Scotland membership; the focus being on teaching students the background and context of traditional music, alongside the music itself.
My focus becomes a desire to be an expert at teaching the harp, and even more, to make it accessible to as many harpists as possible.
I run my first Christmas Harp Collaboration.
My focus becomes a desire to be an expert at teaching the harp, and even more, to make it accessible to as many harpists as possible.
I run my first Christmas Harp Collaboration.
2021
I am accepted into a Masters of Education course focused on teaching the arts.
I lead ‘The Teaching Musician’ module for traditional music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
I lead ‘The Teaching Musician’ module for traditional music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
2022
I am delighted to be invited to give a presentation on teaching at the World Harp Congress.
I take the position of Principal Scottish Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
My How To Harp Harmony course is created.
I take the position of Principal Scottish Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
My How To Harp Harmony course is created.
2023
The ‘How To Harp’ membership is finally launched! This online membership delivers my dream of excellent teaching at affordable prices. It teaches skills, techniques, a wide selection of tunes, offers live concerts and workshops and so much more!
2024
The How To Harp Membership grows! More and more excellent content and exciting guest artists on offer...
2025
Our first 'How To Harp' retreat in bonnie Scotland!
2026
I learn how to time warp!! He he....