Hire Helena Bowen | Harpist in Birmingham

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From£375

1 hour

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Skyfall - Adele (from James Bond) Harp Cover

Grasshopper Waltz - Enzo Corne (Harp Cover)

Life On Mars? - David Bowie (Harp Cover)

About Helena Bowen

Professional harpist and Royal Birmingham Conservatoire graduate, Helena is passionate about providing an ethereal touch to your event.

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Harpist

Birmingham

Public liability insurance of £10 million

With over 15 years of experience and a deep passion for sharing the beauty of the harp, Helena brings elegant, personalised live music to life’s most meaningful moments. Based in the West Midlands, Helena is a full-time freelance harpist performing across the UK and Europe at weddings, corporate events, private functions, and special occasions. Whether you’re looking for a romantic classical piece, a heartfelt Bollywood ballad, a video game theme, or a unique pop or rock arrangement, Helena creates tailored musical experiences to elevate your event and make it unforgettable. Helena also offers bespoke song arrangements upon request to help you celebrate your most personal milestones in a truly magical way. A graduate of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (2021), Helena trained under esteemed harpists including Rita Schindler, Ruth Faber, and Catrin Finch. Helena's performance highlights include venues such as St. Philip’s Cathedral, Symphony Hall, The Grand Hotel Birmingham, Birmingham Council House, the Royal Albert Hall, and Frankfurt Lab (HfMDK).

Helena Bowen

5 out of 5

6 verified reviews

Satisfaction

5.0

Professionalism

5.0

Communication

5.0

Punctuality

5.0

Helena Bowen's Reviews

5 out of 5

a wonderfully gifted lady

5 out of 5

Helena played at a military dinner I was arranging, I gave her a brief outline of what to expect and Helena excelled. Everyone who attended were impressed. Great communication throughout and I fully recommend her for any event. Thanks again.

Reply from Helena Bowen

1 month ago

Thank you so much Craig, it was an absolute honour to play for you and all of your guests!

5 out of 5

We recommend Helena without hesitation. She played beautifully at our wedding, learning the new songs we requested. All our guests were delighted. Her communication with us was excellent, and she accommodated all our requests. She is also friendly, personable, and made us feel very special. We're very grateful.

Reply from Helena Bowen

4 months ago

Thank you so much Jonathan for your wonderful words! It was a pleasure to play for you and Ashley in such a beautiful, memorable venue and ceremony.

5 out of 5

Beautiful, Awesome and Excellent

Reply from Helena Bowen

8 months ago

Thank you so much Ola, it was a pleasure to play for you and all your guests!

Read all 6 reviews

Absolutely beautiful playing during our friend's wedding ceremony! Can't recommend Helena enough.

Magical! Everything sounds so angelic on the harp, was so relaxing and mesmerising to watch Helena play. So fun hearing a mix of pop covers and classical music, I've never been to an event with a harpist before so it was a really special experience.

Read all 3 reviews

Encore badges

10 gigs

Experienced: 10 bookings through Encore

Saved the day!

Booked for an Encore gig with less than 24 hours’ notice

2nd Anniversary

This act has been working with Encore for over 2 years

Encore expert

Demonstrated expertise by completing the Encore Academy

Member of the Encore community forum

Helena Bowen's Song list

Pop & Ballads:

Perfect (Ed Sheeran)

Little Things (One Direction)

I'm Yours (Jason Mraz)

No One (Alicia Keys)

Photograph (Ed Sheeran)

God is a Woman (Ariana Grande)

No Tears Left to Cry (Ariana Grande)

POV (Ariana Grande)

Why I Love You (Major)

Shut Up & Dance (Walk the Moon)

Love on Top (Beyoncé)

POV (Ariana Grande)

Halo (Beyoncé)

Rather Be (Clean Bandit)

All Of Me (John Legend)

I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Whitney Houston)

Happy (Pharrell Williams)

Marry You (Bruno Mars)

Make You Feel My Love (Adele)

Cheerleader (OMI)

Latch (Disclosure)

Thinking Out Loud (Ed Sheeran)

Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen)

Hey Jude (The Beatles)

Just The Two of Us (Bill Withers and Grover Washington, Jr.)

Video Games (Lana Del Rey)

Can't Help Falling In Love (Elvis Presley)

All You Need Is Love (The Beatles)

Yellow Submarine (The Beatles)

Rain On Me (Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande)

Telephone (Lady Gaga and Beyoncé)

Bird (Billie Marten)

Mice (Billie Marten)

Take Me to Church (Hozier)

Rolling in the Deep (Adele)

Love Me Like You Do (Ellie Goulding)

Chapel of Love (Dixie Cups)

Toxic (Britney Spears)

Shape of You (Ed Sheeran)

What Was I Made For (Billie Eilish)

A Thousand Years (Christina Perri)

Picture You (Chappell Roan)

Disease (Lady Gaga)

Telephone (Lady Gaga)

Happy (Pharrell Williams)

Classical:

I Giorni (Einaudi)

Comptine d'été no.3 (Yann Tiersen)

Je te laisserai des mots (Patrick Watson)

Aspen Acres (Dan Barton)

Primavera (Einaudi)

La Dispute (Yann Tiersen)

La Valse d'Amélie (Yann Tiersen)

Grasshopper Waltz (Enzo Corne)

Comptine d'un Autre été: L'Après-Midi (Yann Tiersen)

Canon In D Major (Pachelbel)

September Song (Agnes Obel)

Sonata for Harp Op.127 (Alan Hovhaness)

Quiet Music (Nico Muhly)

Swan Lake Theme (Tchaikovsky)

Le Cygne, The Swan (Saint-Saëns)

Solitude (Nahre Sol)

Nefeli (Einaudi)

Nataliana (Deborah Henson-Conant)

Gnossienne (Erik Satie)

Gymnopédie No.1 (Erik Satie)

Here Comes the Bride (Wagner)

Greensleeves

Amazing Grace

Over the sea to Skye

Danny Boy

Water is Wide

I Love My Love in The Morning

Brian Boru's March

Various Irish, Welsh & Celtic Songs

Video Game & Film:

Can You Feel The Love Tonight (Lion King)

Skyfall (James Bond)

James Bond Theme

Concerning Hobbits (Lord of the Rings)

In Dreams (Lord of the Rings)

Interstellar

Married Life (Up)

Mr. Fox in the Fields (Fantastic Mr. Fox)

Stuff We Did (Up)

Under The Sea (The Little Mermaid)

Alice's Theme (Alice in Wonderland)

Alice in Wonderland (Disney 1951)

Romantic Flight (How to Train Your Dragon)

Test Drive (How to Train Your Dragon)

One Summers Day (Spirited Away)

Beyond The Forest (The Hobbit)

Far Horizons (Skyrim)

Ancient Stones (Skyrim)

Secunda (Skyrim)

Journey (Destiny 2)

Lost In The Storm (Ori & the Blind Forest)

Drustvar (World of Warcraft)

The Last of Us OST

Fairy Fountain (Zelda)

Song of Storms (Zelda)

Lost Woods (Zelda)

Nascence (Journey)

Song of Lament (Elden Ring)

Zelda's Lullaby (Zelda)

Dire, Dire Docks (Super Mario 64)

Alternative:

Cosmic Love (Florence + the Machine)

The Only Exception (Paramore)

Sweater Weather (The Neighbourhood)

Everlong (Foo Fighters)

Dissolve Me (Alt J)

Where Is My Mind? (Pixies)

Bigmouth Strikes Again (The Smiths)

Life On Mars? (David Bowie)

Mardy Bum (Arctic Monkeys)

Stairway to Heaven (Led Zepplin)

You've Got the Love (Florence + the Machine)

Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen)

Rises The Moon (Liana Flores)

Jazz:

What You Won't Do For Love (Bobby Caldwell)

At Last (Etta James)

Bollywood:

Kal Ho Naa Ho

Zaalima (Raees)

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

Kaise Hua (Kabir Singh)

Janam Janam (Dilwale)

Jeena Jeena (Badlapur)

Aankhon Mein Teri (Om Shanti Om)

Hip Hop & RnB:

Passionfruit (Drake)

Still D.R.E (Dr.Dre)

No Air (Jordin Sparks ft. Chris Brown)

Foolish (Ashanti)

Dilemma (Nelly ft. Kelly Rowland)

Helena Bowen's Prices

Last updated: 2025

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

Duration	Price
Short performance (up to 15 min)	£375
Up to 1 hour	£375
Up to 2 hours	£475
Up to 3 hours	£565

Wedding ceremony1 hour

This package includes music whilst your guests arrive to create a calm and elegant atmosphere to set the perfect tone for your ceremony. During your ceremony I will play music for your bridal party and your grand entrance (the best part), followed by background music whilst you sign the register and lastly a song for you to celebrate your marriage and exit your ceremony as newlyweds! Below is the typical ceremony music structure. This is flexible depending on your personal choices, so please get in touch to discuss the details of your big day. Guest Arrival: - Approximately 10 songs Ceremony: - Entrance Song - Registrar Signing (2 - 3 songs) - Exit Song

£375

Wedding Drinks Reception2 hours

Two performances of up to 45 minutes each during your drinks reception, canapés or wedding breakfast/meal. I will create a custom and bespoke playlist based on your favourite genres, artists, films etc. Please take a look at my repertoire and let me know if you have any favourites you’d like me to include. From here I’ll curate a bespoke playlist perfect for and personal to you and your wedding!

£475

Drinks Reception2 hours

£475

Wedding ceremony + Drinks reception + Dinner5 hours

- 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. - 2 x 45 min performances as dinner is being served. During your ceremony I will play music for your bridal party and your grand entrance (the best part), followed by background music whilst you sign the register and lastly a song for you to celebrate your marriage and exit your ceremony as newlyweds! Below is the typical ceremony music structure. This is flexible depending on your personal choices, so please get in touch to discuss the details of your big day. Guest Arrival: - Approximately 10 songs Ceremony: - Entrance Song - Registrar Signing (2 - 3 songs) - Exit Song For your drinks reception and dinner I will create a custom and bespoke playlist based on your favourite genres, artists, films etc. Please take a look at my repertoire and let me know if you have any favourites you’d like me to include. From here I’ll curate a bespoke playlist perfect for and personal to you and your wedding!

£750

Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

If you'd like to know more about what clients love about my performances please take a look at my reviews. I truly love playing the harp, creating the perfect atmosphere and soundtrack to accompany my clients most special moments! I believe this love for what I do shines through in all my performances.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

Highlights include: - St. Philip’s Cathedral - Symphony Hall - The Grand Hotel Birmingham - Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery - The Royal Albert Hall - Frankfurt Lab (HfMDK) - Bourton Hall - Hanbury Barns - Birmingham NEC - Birmingham Library - Park Hall Hotel, Wolverhampton - Hampton Manor - Bridal Barn, Shropshire - Aston Hall - Nunsmere Hall Hotel -

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

My artistic and musical influences are extremely varied! I'm a huge fan of romanticism, minimalism and traditionally classical music but I also take huge inspiration from video game, bollywood and film soundtracks. I'm also a big lover of rap and pop music which you can always find me covering on my tiktok.

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

The Royal Televison Society West Midlands Awards 2024. This was an extremely exciting gig to play and it was an absolute honour to perform for some of the most iconic and prestigious figures in the television and producing industry.

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

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

How much time do you need to set up?

I usually set up about 1 to 1.5 hours before the performance time. If you would like me to be set up earlier for your event, please let me know so this can be discussed.

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?

None at all - my instrument is played acoustically so I don't need any equipment. If it is raining then I will need full cover or to perform indoors as my instrument is valuable and could be damaged. If the weather is forecast to rain or insufficient cover is provided I will not be able to perform.

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

If you would like a specific genre to be played throughout your event, please let me know so that we can work together to create a set list you are happy and excited about.

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

If a song isn't included in my repertoire list there may still be a chance I already know it. If there is a special song you'd like me to learn I am more than happy to do this for you. There may be a fee for this service to take into account music purchase and rehearsal times etc. However, this is something that can be discussed further ahead of your event.

Musicianship

Genres:

Contemporary classical, Classical, Film / TV music, Musical theatre, Folk, Jazz, Easy listening, Light music, Experimental, Avant garde, Pop, Rock, Alternative rock, Britpop, Classic rock, Indie, Pop rock, Classical crossover, Acoustic, R&B, Rock 'n' Roll, Post rock

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Instruments:

Harp

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Event types:

Wedding, Wedding proposal, Hotel / Restaurant event, Recording session, Christmas party, Birthday party, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Bar / Club / Venue event

See all event types

Other skills:

Composer

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