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.

I 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.

 

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"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?

We 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

Students 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!!

Harpz 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!

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! 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.

Some of Helen-Elizabeth's Pupil Certificates

Telynorion Cwm Derwent 1st Instrumental Group Competition at the National Eisteddfod of Wales 2008   Click to enlarge

Rebecca McIlroy Years 7-9 Solo Harp Competition at the 2008 Urdd Conwy   Click to enlarge

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

Telynorion Cwm Derwent 3rd in the Folk Group Competition at the 2007 Gwyl Cerdd Dant   Click to enlarge

Rebecca McIlroy 3rd in Year 6 & Under Solo Harp Competition at the 2006 Urdd Denbighshire   Click to enlarge

Telynorion Cwm Derwent 3rd in the Harp Ensemble Competition at the 2006 Gwyl Cerdd Dant   Click to enlarge

"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

Happy 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.