Jess Hughes

Jess Hughes is an aspiring young musician who is passionate about the harp. She graduated from her BMus (Hons) from the Royal Northern College of Music with a First, studying with Anne-Marie O'Farrell (previously with Eira Lynn Jones), with her first year of study generously supported by The Waverly Fund. She is now continuing her studies at the RNCM for her MMus. Before arriving at RNCM, Jess was awarded a scholarship to attend Wells Cathedral School, where she studied with Ruth Faber. As both a soloist and orchestral player, Jess has performed in many venues around Somerset, including Wells Cathedral, Glastonbury Abbey and Strode Theatre. Her largest solo performance was in December 2017, where she performed as a visiting soloist for the Bath Bach Choir Christmas Concert in The Pump Rooms, directed by Nigel Perrin. In July 2018, she performed Holst's 'The Planets' with the Wells Cathedral School Symphony Orchestra in Wells Cathedral. In August 2018, Jess went on tour to Provence, France, with the West of England Youth Orchestra to play Rimsky-Korsakov’s ‘Scheherazade’. She has since performed with this orchestra playing challenging works including Ravel's 'Bolero' and Schreker's 'Prelude to a Drama'. Since arriving at RNCM, Jess has performed with the RNCM Brand New, Symphony, Opera and Wind Orchestras. Particular highlights include, performing Poulenc's 'Dialogue de Carmélites' with the RNCM Opera orchestra in December 2019; 'The Genesis Suite' with the RNCM Symphony Orchestra in March 2020; Britten's Ceremony of Carols in Salford Cathedral with RNCM vocal students in December 2021.  Under the direction of former Head of Harp, Eira Lynn Jones, Jess has also performed extensively with the RNCM Harp Ensemble, including at the Salvi Showroom in London, and at Harp on Wight Festival in Ryde, October 2019. Jess has competed at the Mid-Somerset, Taunton and Bristol music festivals. In March 2017, she won the award for 'Most Promising Harpist' at Bristol Eisteddfod. In March 2018, she won the ‘Recital for Advanced Solo Harp’ class at Mid-Somerset Festival as wells as the ‘Advanced Solo Harp’ class at Bristol Eisteddfod.   Jess is grateful for the financial aid of the Royal Philharmonic Society, which has helped her to purchase a concert grand harp. This support will enable her to continue sharing the harp’s repertoire.  From prestigious performance platforms to charity concerts; from formal wedding soloist to corporate entertainer; from the camaraderie of orchestral musicianship to the intimacy of chamber ensembles, Jess is a versatile harpist whose love for the instrument shows in every aspect of her playing.