Yasmin Richards

Yasmin Richards is a Welsh harpist from the Rhondda Valleys. A graduate of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Yasmin studied with Kathryn Rees, and in her final year, Catrin Finch. During her undergraduate course, she was also privileged to study in Toronto Canada with world renowned harpist, Judy Loman. An advocate for new works, Yasmin has worked closely with composers to expand the harp repertoire throughout her degree, most recently premiering three new works commissioned as part of the Telyn Gymreig Newydd concert funded by Tŷ Cerdd in 2026. In the 2025 Senior Category of the Harp Competition sponsored by the United Kingdom Harp Association, within the North London Festival of Music and Drama, her enthusiasm for highlighting contemporary works ensured her the ‘Sioned Williams Prize for creative programming’; this resulted in a cash prize and a solo recital in The Sioned Williams Harp Studio, in London. At the Wales Harp Festival in March 2026, Yasmin won the Nansi Richards Scholarship. As part of the same prize, she performed on the Llwyfan Encore (Stage) at the Eisteddfod Genedlaethol in August 2026. In addition to her solo work, Yasmin is also an avid chamber and orchestral player, most notably playing with the National Youth Orchestra of Wales in 2023 and 2024 as Principal Harp, as well as the University of Toronto Symphony Orchestra for numerous concerts and their production of Nino Rita's opera 'Il Cappello di Paglia di Firenze'. During her time at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, she played in multiple Symphony Orchestra concerts and in her final year, was the harpist in their production of 'Sweeney Todd' at the Sherman Theatre. In autumn of 2025 she formed Trio Ennyn with fellow former NYOW principals of the flute and viola sections. Yasmin’s repertoire ranges from classical and Welsh traditional to pop and musical theatre. Each event is unique, and she can arrange any piece not already in her repertoire in order to provide a truly unforgettable experience.