Harriet

Harriet has over fifteen years of experience teaching the harp to all ages and ability levels. She teaches both pedal and lever harps and has both at her home in Battersea, South West London, so there is no need to bring your harp with you to lessons!

Harriet is a highly respected teacher who in addition to maintaining a busy private studio, coaches the LRAM course at the Royal Academy of Music and teaches at the Junior Department of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Comfortable with both complete beginners and more advanced players, Harriet enjoys working with students at the highest level, and in recent years has taught at the Junior Department of the Royal Academy of Music and been invited to give classes at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, The Guildhall School of Music and Drama and The Purcell School. She is passionate about education and outreach work, having performed for several years with the charities Music in Hospitals and Vital Arts, and concert series Classical Babies and Bach to Baby. Harriet is also an experienced workshop leader, working across the country with children of all ages both as a harpist and as a composer.

Once a student has decided to learn the harp, Harriet is able to advise on the best harps to hire or purchase, bearing in mind the age (and size!) of the student and also their available budget. Whilst harps are not cheap, there are plenty of options to make them more affordable, including private hire and second hand instruments.

Harriet has a 100% success rate with ABRSM exams, with many of her exam entrants getting high distinctions. She supports her students in attending harp courses and performing at festivals and competitions where they are frequently prize winners in their classes. She is also proactive in helping her students achieve goals such as music scholarships at their chosen schools, and selection for prestigious organisations such as the National Youth Harp Orchestra and National Childrens` Orchestra.

She believes in making lessons fun and informative, with a particular emphasis on teaching solid technique. Lessons will cover exercises and scales, pieces, and sight reading, and in addition will also cover general musicianship, performance practice, and aural awareness. With younger students there is also the opportunity for ‘musical games’, learning through play and developing their musical imagination.

Harriet has a 100% success rate with ABRSM exams, with all her most recent exam entrants getting high distinctions. She supports her students in performing at festivals and competitions, although there is no pressure to do so if they are not keen on the idea. As an active performer, Harriet also encourages her students to attend harp concerts and courses, and to come and see her in action!


She believes in making lessons fun and informative, with a particular emphasis on teaching solid technique. Lessons will cover exercises and scales, pieces, and sight reading, and in addition will also cover general musicianship, performance practice, and aural awareness. With younger students there is also the opportunity for `musical games`, learning through play and developing their musical imagination.

Availability: Weekends
Weekday mornings and afternoons

Willing to travel: Home Only

Experience: BA Hons (Oxon)
PGDip TCM
Coach for LRAM course at Royal Academy of Music
Teacher at Junior Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Previously Harp teacher at Brunel University and Fulham Prep School
Private students - all levels, both lever and pedal harp

DBS Check: Yes