Grade 4-7 Harp Day

Saturday 26th August 2023

A one day course for intermediate harpists

Eleanor is excited to offer this opportunity for enthusiastic harpists, grade 4-7 standard, to come and learn with Eleanor Turner in a group environment. It will feel like a masterclass but without the pressure of public performance.

NB, please only apply if you've taken your grade 4 or your teacher can verify that you are the grade 4 standard.

Bring a couple of pieces that you enjoy working on, as long as you can play them smoothly and they are well marked up, they don't have to be performance ready. Eleanor will give you technical advice, musicality and phrasing ideas, style and performance tips and more. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions in advance, by emailing Eleanor directly with your name, DOB, playing level, current repertoire and which type of harp you play.

Get the train to Stamford, or drive, and work with Eleanor and your peers on exciting repertoire together, benefitting from ideas from the group as well as the tutor. There will be breaks and time for lunch. Bring a packed lunch or pop to the nearby shops. Eleanor's Salvi Diana, electro-acoustic Echo and Camac DHC Light (small electro harp) are all available for use. If you prefer to bring your own harp, that's fine.

Stamford is a lovely place to visit so I would encourage you to hang around a little longer if possible to spend a little time in the grounds of Burghley Park (free) or pop down the historical High Street. 

To book, simply email Eleanor: info@eleanorturner.com with your name, DOB, repertoire and any other information you think would be useful. If you would like to take part in both days and have to stay over, this could be arranged with Eleanor. Note 'Stamford' (Lincolnshire) is the name of the train station. Payment would be in advance or on the day itself, via a bank transfer or cash.

Read to the bottom of the page for Eleanor's credentials to see who you're learning from.

Eleanor's classical training

Eleanor has performed internationally since winning the Cardiff European Harp Competition in 2007. 

A student of Daphne Boden for 8 years and subsequently Alison Nicholls for 7 years, Eleanor's technique is steeped in the French tradition through Henriette Renie and incorporating the American style through Salzedo, via Nancy Allen. Her technique also encompasses world music styles, jazz, different ideas from tutors in France (Catherine Michel), the Netherlands (Erika Waardenburg and Ernestine Stoop) and in the UK she has also had lessons with Hugh Webb, Douglas Hollick (19th century rep) and Trevor Pinnock (Spanish baroque rep). 

Eleanor has won numerous accolades over the years, including the Maisie Lewis Award from Making Music, the Philip and Dorothy Green Award which led to her Wigmore Hall debut, and the Royal Overseas League Strings Award in 2002. In 1997, she made her concerto debut at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on London's Southbank, live on Classic Fm. Eleanor was just fifteen years old and that moment cemented the idea of becoming a professional musician for the young artist. She went on to win numerous national and international awards, including the prestigious Wingate Scholarship (for her studies in the Netherlands) and awards and commissions from the PRS Foundation for New Music and the Arts Council of England.

Some memorable classical performances over the years include concertos with the English Baroque Ensemble at St. George's Bristol and St. John's Smith Square in London, and with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in New Orleans. Chamber music highlights have been at Cadogan Hall in London, Berlin's Kammermusiksaal at the Philharmonic and performing with ensembles in Sydney and Hong Kong. Eleanor has adjudicated international competitions in Turkey, performed electronic music in Shanghai and performed solo in one of the finest acoustics of the world in Amsterdam, at the Muziekgebouw aan't IJ.  

© Copyright Eleanor Turner