Elfair Dyer

Welsh harpist Elfair Grug Dyer has recently returned to the UK after living in Bangkok, Thailand for two years working as harp teacher and harpist in residence at the Tamnak Prathom Harp Centre. The Harp Centre is supported by the Thai Royal Family and twinned with Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias in Caernarfon. As well as giving many performances with the Harp Centre, during her time in Thailand Elfair provided music at top Bangkok hotels such as the renowned Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Elfair is an experienced harpist who has been entertaining guests at events for 10 years; including weddings, civil ceremonies, birthday and anniversary parties, afternoon tea, dinners, christenings, and corporate events. Elfair has embarked on a professional career as a harpist; solo recitals around the UK have included a lunchtime recital at the Bridgewater Hall in 2014 as part of the Manchester Mid-days Concert Society’s prestigious concert series. The year 2012 included three concerto performances; Debussy Danses with String Orchestra at the RNCM Chamber Music Festival, William Mathias’ Harp Concerto with New Sinfonia and Mozart’s Flute and Harp Concerto with Liverpool Mozart Orchestra. During Summer 2013 after finishing her MMus course, Elfair was accepted on to the Live Music Now scheme and performs regularly around the North West of England and Wales. During 2013 she has also toured extensively around the UK to promote her second CD with CLOUDS Harp Quartet. Elfair Grug Dyer completed her Master’s degree at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, after gaining her BMus degree at the conservatoire with first class honours in 2011 as an ABRSM Scholar. In 2012 and 2013 she performed at the RNCM’s Gold Medal Weekend as one of the 12 outstanding RNCM student soloists, which were all, considered for the RNCM’s Gold Medal, the highest award the college gives for performance. She has been playing the harp since the age of eight and holds two ABRSM diplomas: DipABRSM and LRSM. Born in Mynytho in the heart of the Llŷn Peninsula, situated not far from Abersoch, Elfair has enjoyed many successes at the Welsh Eisteddfodau and festivals including the Instrumental Solo Competition for the under 30 age group at the International Llangollen Musical Festival, winning the title ‘Main Instrumentalist of 2008′. During Summer 2013 Elfair won the Nansi Richards Scholarship for harpists and the Blue Ribbon Open Instrumental Competition – the Peggy and Maldwyn Hughes Scholarship at the National Eisteddfod of Wales.