Harpist

Anita Aslin

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About Anita

Anita is one of the most accomplished harpists in the North East! She has played to Royalty and performed on TV (period drama).
Harpist
Middlesbrough
Public liability insurance of £10 million
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A native of Great Ayton, Anita began playing the Harp at the age of 9 with Dorothy Gilbertston, commuting to Harrogate for weekly lessons. She made her BBC (Radio) debut in 1982 at the age of 10! Invitations then followed to perform at the Gulbenkian Theatre (Newcastle), Winyard Hall, Bowes Museum and at various other venues in the North East. Winner of Young Musician of Teesside in 1986, she became a member of the Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra. Subsequently she joined the Cleveland Youth Orchestra and has toured Europe with them. She graduated in July 1995 with a BMus (Hons) Degree after studying at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama with teachers; Professor David Watkins, Charlotte Seale and Helen Tunstall. During her course she was also a member of the Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. Some of the highlights whilst studying were; playing for BBC Television’s Christmas Presence (December 1993) starring Cliff Richard; and also performing in Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem at St Paul’s Cathedral under the baton of Sir Richard Hickox. In May 1995 she was privileged to play at the VE Day Royal Banquet at the Guild Hall at which were present members of the Royal family and 50 Heads of State. In August 1996 Anita was Harp tutor for the National Children’s Orchestra (11yrs & under). In February 1997 she was part of the orchestral backing for Opera singer Lesley Garret. Later that year, in May, Anita released her first public recording called Harping On under the label of Huntcliffe Recording Services. Television credits include appearances in: Four Weddings (Living TV, April 2010), Mansfield Park (ITV, March 2007) Songs of Praise (Dec. 1993 and May 1999), Tonight (Tyne Tees Television, Feb. 1996) and Look North (BBC Newcastle, April 2000 and July 2001). In June 2000, Anita played for HRH the Prince of Wales during a visit to Sir William Turner’s Almshouses at Kirkleatham. In November 2002, Anita played for Brahms Requiem at Middlesbrough Town Hall which included the guest appearance of Sir Thomas Allen. In 2013 she played in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal, as part of the Herriot Hospice Homecare 21st Anniversary Celebration. She has performed at the 'Festival Mundial del Arpa en el Paraguay' (World Harp Festival in Paraguay) in September, 2019. At present Anita is engaged in both free-lance work and teaching. She has achieved a great reputation as a harpist in the North East playing with; the Orchestra of Opera North, Carl Rosa Opera Orchestra (Britain’s oldest opera company), British Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, Manchester Camerata, Northern Ballet Theatre Orchestra, Sinfonia Viva, Scarborough Symphony Orchestra, Teesside Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Chamber and Philharmonic Orchestras, Orchestra North East, City of Leeds Sinfonia, Leeds Youth Opera and Orchestra, Huddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra, Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra of Square Chapel, Guildhall Barbican Orchestra of York and all the many local Choral Societies and Choirs. Anita owns and performs on a Lyon & Healy Concert Grand pedal harp, a Starfish lever-harp and a Camac DHC Electric lever-harp.

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Saved the day!
Booked for an Encore gig with less than 24 hours’ notice
8th Anniversary
This act has been working with Encore for over 8 years
10 gigs
Experienced: 10 bookings through Encore
Musicianship
Genres:
Classical crossover, Contemporary classical, Classical, Jazz, Folk, Pop, Christmas, Contemporary Christian, Traditional church music, Film / TV music, Opera, Musical theatre, Ambient, 1920s era music, 1930s era music, 1940s era music, 1950s era music, 1960s era music, 1970s era music, 1980s era music, 1990s era music, Traditional English folk, Traditional Scottish folk, Traditional Irish folk, Swing, Easy listening, Ambient pop, Covers, Acoustic, Classic rock, Rock, Britpop, Pop rock, Spanish music, Caribbean music, Bollywood, Italian music, Folk rock, Welsh folk, Ragtime, Gospel, Light music, Originals, Top 40, Vintage, Heavy metal, Scottish music, Tango, Cuban music, Calypso, French music
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Instruments:
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Event types:
Wedding, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Recording session, Theatre / Show, Cruise, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve, Bar / Club / Venue event, Concert
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Other skills:
Fluent sight-reader, Instrumental teaching, Theory teaching
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Anita's Song list

CLASSICAL
Arrival of the Queen of Sheba - Handel
Barcarolle – J Offenbach
Bridal March – from Lohengrin
Canon in D – J Pachelbel
Dance of the Blessed Spirits – C W von Gluck
Flower Duet – Delibes
Grand March - from Aida – Verdi
Intermezzo – P Mascagni
Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring – Bach
Minuet – Boccherini
Nimrod – Elgar
Ode to Joy – Beethoven
O Mio Babbino Caro – G Puccini
Opera Highlights – Various
Sleeper’s Awake – Bach
Trumpet Voluntary – H Purcell
Wedding March – Mendelssohn
TRADITIONAL
All through the Night - Welsh
Believe me, if all those Endearing young charms – Traditional
Country Gardens - English
Danny Boy – Irish
David of the White Rock – Welsh
English, Welsh, Irish, Scottish - Various
Eriskay Love-Lilt – Scottish
Greensleeves – English
Land of my Father’s – Welsh
O Carolan – Various
Skye Boat Song – Scottish
The Ash Grove - Welsh
The House of the Rising Sun - American
MUSICALS/FILMS/SHOWS
Amélie – Theme tune by Y Tiersen
A Thousand Years – Christina Perri - Twilight
Andrew Lloyd-Webber – Various
Bella’s Lullabye (River Flows in You – Yiruma) - Twilight
Can you feel the love tonight – The Lion King
Can’t help Lovin’ Dat Man – Showboat
City of Stars – La La Land
Colours of the Wind - Pocahontas
Cavatina – The Deer Hunter
The John Dunbar Theme – Dances with Wolves
Disney Songs – Various
Elastic Heart – from The Hunger Games
Evermore – from Beauty & the Beast
Feels like Home – Michael
For the Love of a Princess - Braveheart
Game of Thrones – Game of Thrones
Glasgow Love Theme – Love Actually
Hallelujah – from Shrek
Hedwig’s Theme – Harry Potter
He’s a Pirate – Pirates of the Caribbean
Honour Him/Now We Are Free – Gladiator
How Far I’ll Go - Moana
How Does a Moment – from Beauty & the Beast
I see Fire – The Hobbit
Lara’s Theme – Doctor Zhivago
Latika’s Theme – Slumdog Millionaire
Let it Go - Frozen
Lord of the Rings/May it be/Into the West – Theme tunes
Love is all around – Four Weddings and a Funeral
Love me like you do – Fifty Shades of Grey
Love Theme – The Godfather
Mia & Sebastian’s Theme – La La Land
My Heart will go on – Titanic
Over the Rainbow – Wizard of Oz
Pelagia’s Song – Captain Corelli’s Mandolin
Rogers & Hammerstein – Various
Safe & Sound – The Hunger Games
September Song – May to December
She – Notting Hill
Sunrise, Sunset – Fiddler on the Roof
Take my breath away – Top Gun
The Entertainer – The Sting
The Rose – Beaches
Unchained melody – Ghost
Up where we belong – An Officer and a Gentleman
Your Song – Moulin Rouge
MISCELLANEOUS
Ashokan Farewell – Jay Ungar
Enya – Various
Eye Level – from Van Der Valk
I took my Harp to a Party – N Gay
Jamaican Rumba – A Benjamin
La Paloma – Yradier
Spanish Dance – G Bizet
Westminster Institute Rag – C Gosselin
SONGS & STANDARDS
A Groovy Kind of Love – Phil Collins
A Sky Full of Stars - Coldplay
Ain’t Mis’ Behavin’ – T Fats Waller
All of Me – John Legend
Angel – Sarah McLachlan
Angels – Robbie Williams
At Last – Etta James
Avé Maria – Beyoncé
Baby can I hold you tonight – T Chapman
Beatles – Various
Best Day of My Life – American Authors
Better Together – Jack Johnson
Bewitched (Bothered & Bewildered) – Rogers & Hart
Can’t help falling in Love – Elvis
Can’t take my eyes off of you – The Four Seasons
Chasing Cars – Snow Patrol
Clocks – Cold Play
Close you eyes – Michael Buble
Come away with me – Norah Jones
Count on Me – Bruno Mars
Don’t Stop Believin’ - Journey
Endless Love - L Richie
Eternal Flame – Bangles
Everytime – Britney Spears
Feels like Home – Randy Newman
Fields of Gold – Sting
Fireflies – Owl City
Fix You – Cold Play
For Your Babies – Simply Red
From this Moment on – Shania Twain
Get Here – Oleta Adams
Golden Slumbers – The Beatles
Good Riddance (Time of your Life) – Green Day
Going Home – Mark Knopfler
Greatest Day – Take That
Handbags And Gladrags - Stereophonics
Here comes the Sun - Beatles
Halo – Beyoncé
Handbags and Gladrags - Stereophonics
Have I told you lately that I love you – Van Morrison
Heaven – Bryan Adams
Ho Hey – The Lumineers
Home – Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
Hotel California – Eagles
How long will I love you – Ellie Goulding
I do, I do, I do, I do - Abba
I don’t want to miss a thing – Aerosmith
If this is it – Newton Faulkner
I just called to say I Love you – Stevie Wonder
I knew I Loved you – Savage Garden
I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
I want to know what love is - Foreigner
I won’t give up – Jason Mraz
It must be Love - Madness
Jazz Standards – Various
Just like Heaven – The Cure
Kiss from a Rose – Seal
Kiss the Rain - Yiruma
Let her Go - Passenger
Love Me Tender – Elvis
Mad World – Roland Orzabal
Marry You – Bruno Mars
Make me feel my Love – Adele/Bob Dylan
Mr Bojangles – Jerry Jeff Walker
Negro Spirituals – Various
One day like this – Elbow
Paradise - Coldplay
Perfect Day – Various
Perfect – Ed Sheeran
Photograph – Ed Sheeran
Riptide – Vance Joy
Rule the World – Take That
Say you, say me – Lionel Richie
She’s always a Woman – Billy Joel
Stairway to Heaven – Led Zepplin
Stand by Me – Ben E King
Stay with Me – Sam Smith
Stay with You – John Legend
Someone like you – Adele
Somewhere Only we know – Lilly Allen
Songbird – Eva Cassidy
Songbird – Oasis
Tenerife Sea – Ed Sheeran
Thank You – Dido
Thank You for Loving Me – Bon Jovi
The closest thing to Crazy – Katie Melua
The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face – Roberta Flack
The Only Exception – Glee
The Power of Love – Frankie Goes to Hollywood
The Way We Were – Barbara Streisand
Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
Time of you Life (Good Riddance) – Green Day
Too good at Goodbyes – Sam Smith
Top of the World – Carpenters
Trouble - Coldplay
Truly, Madly, Deeply – Savage Garden
Vincent (Starry, Starry Night) – Don McLean
We have all the time in the World – L Armstrong
What a Wonderful World – L Armstrong
When I fall in Love – Nat King Cole
When you tell me that you Love me – Diana Ross
Wherever You Will Go – The Calling
Who you Love – Katy Perry& John Mayer
Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
Wouldn’t it be nice – The Beach Boys
Yellow – Cold Play
You Raise Me Up – Westlife
You’re Beautiful – James Blunt
Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

Clients say that my music touches their soul! They comment on how I make my harp "speak" when I play. Clients find my music so relaxing yet are so intrigued and impressed by how well I can show the diversity of the harp.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

I have performed at various sizes of venues in the UK, from the Royal Albert Hall to Newcastle City Hall. I have also played abroad, in Paraguay, at their World Harp Festival.

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

Too many to consider! I love a wide range of music and artists from classical, jazz, folk through to pop! I would still have to say my all time favourite is Harpo Marx! ;-)

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

I've performed on the same stages with Sir Thomas Allen, Sir Cliff Richard, Lesley Garrett and other Special events where I have played and met both HRH Prince of Wales and HRH The Princess Royal.

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

I try to do my best to be flexible to help ensure that your even runs as smoothly as possible. If timings change slightly, in the run up to the event, then just let me know.

How much time do you need to set up?

I usually need about 30 minutes to set up before performance time (this allows for unloading the harp from my vehicle etc). Please ensure that a space is reserved for my car, as near to the entrance of the venue as possible. This is particularly important where parking is limited.

Is the transport of your harp included in your quote?

Absolutely - I've included all travel costs, including the transport of my harp, in the quotes.

Do you need any equipment provided to play outdoors?

I can provide my own amplification for outdoors (if necessary). I will need a level surface and a gazebo or large umbrella, to protect the harp from damp or direct sunlight, both of which can cause structural damage. If it is raining then I will need full cover, or perform indoors as my instrument is extremely valuable and could be damaged.

Can I pick the pieces you play from the set list?

Yes, I am happy to perform any requests from my repertoire list.

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

If a piece/song is not included on my repertoire list, then I need AT LEAST 1 MONTH'S notice. Please note that it is illegal to copy someone else's arrangement of a song that they have posted on youtube. If there is a special piece/song that you would like me to arrange, then there is a fee of £30 for this service, to take into account of practising time.

Anita's Prices

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Short performance (up to 15 min)£220
Up to 1 hour£250
Up to 2 hours£375
Up to 3 hours£500
Packages
Wedding ceremony
This includes music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave.
£375
Drinks reception
Two performances of up to 45 mins each during your drinks reception
£400
Wedding Ceremony & Drinks Reception
- Music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave. - 2 x 45 min performances at the drinks reception.
£500
Wedding ceremony & Dinner
- Music before the Service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave. - 2 x 45 min performances as dinner is being served.
£600
Anita
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
4.9 out of 5
9 verified reviews
Satisfaction
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5.0
Professionalism
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4.9
Communication
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4.8
Punctuality
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5.0

Anita's Reviews

From Encore customers:

LK
Lorraine K
6 days ago
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

Anita was perfect . Great communication from the moment we booked her. The music she provided for my daughters handfasting was truly beautiful and made her day extra special. I have no hesitation in recommending Anita , she is an amazing harpist and made our celebration truly magical.

Reply from Anita
6 days ago

Oh thanks so much Lorraine 🥰 It was such a lovely Ceremony for a gorgeous couple. Thanks again for booking me. I wish Abi & Peter a wonderful married life together. - Anit 🎵

RT
Rachel T
3 months ago
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5 out of 5

Anita provided music for our wedding ceremony, and performed the songs we requested so beautifully. She communicated well in the lead-up to the day, too. I'm very happy with the service she provided, would 100% recommend. Thank you! :)

Reply from Anita
3 months ago

Oh thank you so much Rachel. It was such a beautiful Ceremony ❤️ … for a beautiful couple! The combining of the two cultures was just gorgeous. I loved playing for your Special Day! Thanks - Anita 🎵

MH
Matt H
5 months ago
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5 out of 5

Perfection, that is how we would describe our experience with Anita. From the very start she has been so helpful and accommodating. On the day of our wedding, she arrived in good time and was set up ready to greet our guests with her wonderful music. so many of our friends and family have commented on how beautiful her playing was and created the most amazing atmosphere to our wedding ceremony and drinks reception. We cannot thank her enough.

Reply from Anita
5 months ago

Thanks so much Matt 🥰 I had such a wonderful day and you were both a lovely couple 💙 Congratulations to you both! - Anita 🎵

EH
Emma H
6 months ago
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5 out of 5

Absolutely amazing! Thank you so much

Reply from Anita
5 months ago

Thanks Emma! 😊 Many congratulations to you both! - Anita 🎵

Read all 9 reviews

From other customers:

LC
Lincolns S
2006 years ago

.. the food was lovely as usual & the harpist certainly added the extra magic ..

WG
West D
2006 years ago

Lovely atmosphere with your electric harp playing at West Green Deli tonight. Thanks