Steph West ... Traditional Harp Music from the British Isles

An English harper, singer and arranger, Steph is passionate about the folk music of the British Isles. By exploring the links between the clarsach (or Celtic) harp and English traditional music, Steph is creating a space for the harp in current English traditional music. Meanwhile she is still topping up her supply of Scottish and Irish harp tunes, bringing a bright Celtic sound to the Cotswold and Chiltern hills.

Steph has always been surrounded by music, and her first studies were classical violin, piano and voice. When she started studying Early Music, she was offered a medieval harp to play, and rapidly set about absorbing this new and wonderful instrument. A chance conversation sent her north to Scotland - and once again she was bewitched - this time by Scottish harp music and the clarsach. On hearing the beauty and versatility of this music and instrument, she was finally and firmly hooked.

After completing her degree, Steph started work in a busy music studio. During this time she continued to study the harp, as well as play with Irish ensemble Angelus. Highlights included playing for the President of Ireland for her visit to Haringay Irish Centre.

Steph is now based in Oxford where she works full time as a freelance musician, playing and teaching. She also teaches two days a week in Hertfordshire. As with most clarsach players, Steph arranges music for herself and her pupils. She also loves collaborating with other musicians.

Steph is also involved in the folk and harp worlds, running workshops for festivals, schools and tutoring for the youth folk workshops Shooting Roots. She set up and runs a Harp Session in Oxford, a monthly meeting for any harp players who want to play with other harpists and learn more about the traditional way of playing.

You can find Steph playing with...