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A Taste of the Valleys in the Dales

Harp Lessons

“Thank you for all you do for Thea and her harp. You are a lovely teacher and doing a brill job” Georgia Butterworth, parent Lincoln Minster School.

Photo of Harp Teacher Mrs Helen NaylorI can provide individual tutoring at our own studio or in your own home on your own harp, this service is currently available in the Midlands area but Harp Lessons are also available via skype by appointment (usual rates apply payment via bank transfer in advance).

Other skilled harp teachers can be recommended in most areas. We also run a harp ensemble in the Derby area, all ages welcome, beginners most welcome!

All skills can be accommodated for harp lessons, beginners and early grades a specialty, a knowledge of music or piano is an advantage but net essential. Basic, informal music tuition for children from the age of 5 is also available, my youngest student currently is 3 and a half years old.

Harp students can follow an exam based course of study (ABRSM) or a more informal style of learning. I currently have a 100% pass rate at ABRSM and have CTABRSM qualification.

I am also able to offer advice on the purchase of harps and other harp related queries, having perviously had 10 years experience in the harp making industry.

BEGINNERS PIANO LESSONS NOW AVAILABLE:
Very reasonable rates, please contact Helen for details.

 


"To Helen, Thank you for my Harp lessons with a rating of 10/10 Love Pia xxxooo"
Pia Robinson age 7

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Looking for a teacher in a different part of the UK? Please click here

School Teaching

Harp lessons are now available from Helen for students at:

St Anselm's Preparatory School, Bakewell

Lincoln Minster School

Would you like to have a go at the harp?

Click to see larger photo of Hands on the Harp - Beginners introduction to the Harp courseWe regularly run Hands on the Harp - Beginners introduction to the Harp Days. These half day events normally start from about £20 and include a work book to take home. Ideal for complete beginners or lapsed players who would like to return to the harp. Harps are normally available for sale and rental – along with some music and harp sundries.


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Please see our Events page for details of forthcoming courses.

Rates:

Half hour private lesson at our studio £16.50 (Own harp not required)
Half hour home visit (within 10 miles of Derby) £30.00 (Own harp essential)
Half hour home visit elsewhere negotiable.

All lessons cancelled with less that 24 hours notice will be charged at the full rate.

Click here to view Music Lessons Contract (pdf opens in new window)
To download - Windows: Right click the text link and select "Save target as .." Mac: Hold down option and click on the text link

need help with PDF files click here

If you would like any further information please do not hesitate to contact Helen

"Thank you for all the amazing new opportunities you have given me - I never thought I would play the harp on the radio for one!!"
                                                                                                                       Beth Neal - 17 - Grade 8

ABRSM EXAMS

ABRSM Harp Exams are held at Helen's home - once again we had a 100% pass rate and these were some of the comments in a thank you letter from the examiner Mr Gareth Green:

"Just a note to say many thanks for your warm hospitality during my associated board examining visit to your home on December 2nd. It was good to be with you, to enjoy some wonderfully enthusiastic harp playing and to learn a little about the tremendous work you are doing. I must congratulate you on inspiring so much harp playing."

"confidently prepared in all areas" comment from ABRSM EXAMINER on 1st April 2006
Examiner reference N251 with reference to ABRSM examination candidates.

Summer ABRSM EXAMS 2008
Blind from birth student Zoe Dixon aged 8 gains distinction in her grade 1 harp exam - congratulations, with the following outstanding results.
Aural Repetition 18/18
Aural Tests 21/21

Examiners Comments "A very promising start. Always musical playing. Well Done!"

DERBY WINTER ABRSM EXAM RESULTS 2009 (Helen's Students)
  Instrument Grade Marks Award
VICTORIA CLARE HARP 04 108 Pass
ZOE DIXON HARP 03 135 Distinction
LAURA ROSE GEE HARP 04 130 Distinction
LAURA ROSE GEE SINGING 04 114 Pass
MARIAN HATFIELD HARP 03 107 Pass
KATE IBBITSON HARP 01 127 Merit
BETH IRELAND HARP 04 101 Pass
VEDA KOHLI HARP 03 110 Pass
AMI MAWBEY HARP 04 124 Merit
REBECCA MCILROY HARP 07 120 Merit
ELEANOR POTTER HARP 08 130 Distinction
PIA ROBINSON HARP 03 115 Pass
JEMIMA WOOLLEY HARP 03 100 Pass
 
DERBY SUMMER ABRSM EXAM RESULTS 2009 (Helen's Students)
  Instrument Grade Marks Award
BETH NEAL HARP 08   Merit
RUBY LAMBERT HARP 04   Merit
LIANA TURNER HARP 04   Merit
GINA TURNER HARP 03   Merit
MARGARET JOYNER HARP 03   Merit
HELEN BLUNDELL HARP 02   Merit
MARIAN HATFIELD HARP 02   Pass
 
DERBY SPRING ABRSM EXAM RESULTS 2009 (Helen's Students)
         
HANNAH BARNETT HARP 01 123 Merit
HELEN BLUNDELL HARP 01 132 Distinction
JANET BRYAN HARP 04 116 Pass
THEA BUTTERWORTH HARP 06 122 Merit
ZOE DIXON HARP 02 134 Distinction
LAURA ROSE GEE SINGING 01 110 Pass
LAURA ROSE GEE HARP 03 120 Merit
MARIAN HATFIELD HARP 01 115 Pass
GINNY POTT HARP 03 109 Pass
         
DERBY WINTER ABRSM EXAM RESULTS 2008 (Helen's Students)
  Instrument Grade Marks Award
ANNE GEERS

HARP 03 118 Pass
ELIZABETH HANCOCK HARP 04 132 Distinction
ELLEN LAWFORD HARP 03 128 Merit
AMELIA RODGERS HARP 05 126 Merit
THERESA MENZIES HARP 01 124 Merit
REBECCA MCILROY HARP 06 115 Pass
VICTORIA CLARE HARP 03 118 Pass
ELEANOR POTTER HARP 06 136 Distinction

       
DERBY SPRING ABRSM EXAM RESULTS 2008 (Helen's Students)
  Instrument Grade Marks Award
ZOE DIXON HARP 01 136 Distinction
LAURA-ROSE GEE HARP 02 137 Distinction
BETH IRELAND HARP 02 111 Pass
PIA ROBINSON HARP 01 117 Pass
GILL COLLINS HARP 01 132 Distinction
LAUREN FAULKNER HARP 01 130 Distinction
FRANCES HANCOCK HARP 05 120 Merit
ELIZABETH ROY HARP 03 118 Pass
THEA BUTTERWORTH HARP 05 131 Distinction
VICTORIA CLARE HARP 02 115 Pass
WILLIAM FEERICK HARP 01 141 Distinction
RUBY LAMBERT HARP 03 134 Distinction
LILIAS LISTON HARP 02 123 Merit
HILARY LOWER HARP 02 137 Distinction
AMI MAWBEY HARP 03 130 Distinction
BETH NEAL HARP 06 136 Distinction
ELEANOR POTTER HARP 05 135 Distinction
LIANA TURNER HARP 02 135 Distinction
 

Helen-Elizabeth teaching a pupilStudents have the opportunity to compete in the Urdd National Eisteddfod of Wales, The Leamington Spa Competitive Festival, The Wales International Harp Festival and Gwyl Cerdd Dant Cymru as well as numerous concert and recital opportunities throughout the year.

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LWS student and Harpz member Laura Rose Gee wins a Music Scholarship to Derby High School for Girls
- Well Done!!

 
East Midlands Today Kids Got Talent - Watch Harpz member Laura Rose Gee and Harpz The Derbyshire Harp Ensemble on BBC East Midlands Today
Click to watch on BBC i-player - starts 18'15" mins in (First broadcast 6.30pm on Tuesday 8th September 2009)

Stop Press - Junior Harpz Member achieves highest exam results in Derby for Trinity Guildhall Grades 1-4 and as a result will receive an award next week - Congratulations Zoe Dixon.  (Posted 8 September 2009)

Thea Butterworth
Congratulations to Thea Butterworth on gaining a place at the Royal College of Music Junior Dept to study Harp and Double Bass, Thea is currently working towards grade 7 and has studied with Helen Naylor since taking up the harp. She will be studying with world famous harpist Skaila Kanga who was incredibly positive about Thea's technique and style of playing!

Good Luck Thea and Well Done!!

 

Laura Rose GeeHarpz The Derbyshire Harp Ensemble member Laura Rose Gee comes 2nd in the Urdd National Eisteddfod Cardiff Bay 2009 - The urdd eisteddfod is Europe's largest cultural youth festival and it was Laura's first attempt in the competition!
 
Follow the following link to watch Laura perform

http://urdd.s4c.co.uk/en/cystadlu/dydd-llun/18?clip=33 
 
Llongyfrachiadau / Congratulations Laura!

Photo of Laura with her harp raising money for good causes

Leamington Spa Competitive Festival 2008 Harp Day
Harpz and Junior Harpz members successes!!

 
Beginners Harp Solo - Less than one year's tuition - 3rd prize - Pia Robinson
Open Clarsach Solo (adult) 1st Prize - Gina Turner
Grade 1 and 2 solo class - 2nd Prize - Laura-Rose Gee
Grade 5 and 6 solo under 19 1st Prize - Rebecca McIlroy
Harp Recital Class under 14 2nd Prize - Rebecca McIlroy
Harp Recital Class 14 - 19 3rd Prize - Beth Neal
Harp & Other instrument / voice 2nd Prize - Harpz - Telynorion Cwm Derwent folk group.

STUDENT REBECCA MCILROY - ASHBOURNE YOUNG MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR 2007!

STUDENT REBECCA MCILROY - ASHBOURNE YOUNG MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR 2007!Harpz member and student of Helen Naylor last night came 1st in her age category and overall winner of the Ashbourne young musician of the year competition playing Codiad Yr Ehedydd - The Rising of the Lark and Bats Eat Bananas  on her Morley Harps Etude 46 Concert Harp.

 

Telynorion Cwm Derwent - 3rd in the Folk Group Competition at the 2007 Gwyl Cerdd Dant

Some of Helen-Elizabeth's Pupil Certificates
 
Telynorion Cwm Derwent WIN the instrumental group competition Telynorion Cwm Derwent
1st Instrumental Group Competition
at the National Eisteddfod of Wales 2008

 

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Rebecca McIlroy: 2008 Urdd Adjudication / ReportRebecca McIlroy
Years 7-9 Solo Harp Competition
at the 2008 Urdd Conwy

 

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Ben Richards 3rd in the 2007 Leamington Spa Competitive Festival Harp Day - Grades 5 and 6 CompetitionBen Richards
3rd in the 2007 Leamington Spa Competitive Festival
Harp Day - Grades 5 and 6 Competition

 

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Telynorion Cwm Derwent - 3rd in the Folk Group Competition at the 2007 Gwyl Cerdd DantTelynorion Cwm Derwent
3rd in the Folk Group Competition
at the 2007 Gwyl Cerdd Dant

 

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Rebecca McIlroy - 3rd in Year 6 & Under Solo Harp Competition at the 2006 UrddRebecca McIlroy
3rd in Year 6 & Under Solo Harp Competition
at the 2006 Urdd Denbighshire

 

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Telynorion Cwm Derwent - 3rd in the Harp Ensemble Competition at the 2006 Gwyl Cerdd DantTelynorion Cwm Derwent
3rd in the Harp Ensemble Competition
at the 2006 Gwyl Cerdd Dant

 

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"Thank you for all the amazing new opportunities you have given me - I never thought I would play the harp on the radio for one!!"
                                                                                                                       Beth Neal - 17 - Grade 8
 
Laura Rose GeeHappy Birthday Helen
I came to you when I was seven
and I didnt have a clue
from A sharp to B Flat
you really helped me through

your patience and understanding
helped me to understand
how to perform on the harp
with my right and left hand

Progress with the Juniors
And Derbyshire Harpz too
Helped me to get on stage
and its all thanks to you


Love from Laura xx
 
 
“Thank you for all you do for Thea and her harp. You are a lovely teacher and doing a brill job” Georgia Butterworth, parent Lincoln Minster School.
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