Anwen Mai Harpist

Anwen grew up in Caerphilly, South Wales. At age nine she started learning the lever harp, progressing to the pedal harp, and realised how much she loved this beautiful and versatile instrument. It became Anwen’s ambition to pursue a career as a harpist and she was fortunate to gain a full entry scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music (RAM) in London. Having recently completed a 4-year Bachelor of Music (Hons) degree in harp performance at RAM, Anwen graduated with a First-Class Honours degree and the LRAM Teaching Diploma. She was also awarded a Regency Award for outstanding contribution and is returning to study for a MA at RAM. Anwen’s successes as a soloist include winning the coveted ‘Rhuban Glas’ (Blue Ribbon) instrumental competition at the National Eisteddfod of Wales in 2016; 1st prize in the Youth Competition at the Wales International Harp Festival in 2018; and she won the Nansi Richards Scholarship in 2021. Anwen was honoured to be selected as one of 25 global young harpists to perform a recital at the World Harp Congress 2020 in the Focus on Youth programme. Sadly, this was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, so a recording was released during the virtual Congress in 2021. Anwen has performed at a range of events including at the Mansion House (London), St David’s Hall (Cardiff), the Millennium Centre and Norwegian Church (Cardiff Bay). She is fortunate to participate regularly in masterclasses with world-renowned harpists such as Isabelle Moretti, Isabelle Perrin, and Catrin Finch. As well as solo performance, Anwen is also a member of orchestras and ensembles. She has been a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Wales on 3 concert tours under the batons of Carlo Rizzi and Andrew Litton. Anwen has worked with renowned conductors such as Sir Mark Elder, Ryan Wigglesworth and John Wilson in the Academy Symphony Orchestra, and Trevor Pinnock in the Academy Chamber Orchestra. Anwen’s ensemble work includes performances as flute/harp duo, violin/harp duo, flute/cello/harp trio, voice/harp and harp duet. She won the open instrumental duet competition at the televised 2018 National Eisteddfod with a fellow RAM harpist. Inspired over many years, Anwen is grateful to her teachers: Rachael Howard, Kathryn Ann Rees, Karen Vaughan and Skaila Kanga. She appreciates generous support from sponsors at RAM including the Rainer & Doreen Burchett Charitable Trust, as well as Help Musicians UK and the Chepstow Lions.