Traditional Harp School

The Traditional Harp School system

Janet Harbison has been a champion of traditional (oral) harp training, social music participation and performing excellence since the 1980s. From a celebrated background of performing and teaching world-wide, Janet has trained many of today’s finest harpers including over 40 All-Ireland Champions – all emerging from her training system and harp orchestras (the Grammy Award winning Belfast Harp Orchestra (1986-2002), and the world travelled Irish (1999-2023) and Irish Youth (2005-2016) Harp Orchestras). Since the publication of her Harp Tutors from 2004, her training has guided students to intuitive and creative musicianship, to confident session participation as well as skilled solo performance. From her origins in Irish traditional music, her training system now also embraces all the other Celtic regions with the new Tutor series entitled ‘The Harp of the British Isles’.

Music as Language and Fluency before Literacy

The Traditional Harp School system is modelled on a child’s acquisition of language – with learning in staged, logical steps, building concept on concept, tune on tune, skill on skill, following fluency with literacy. Training toward intuitive, creative, social and co-operative musicianship, this dynamic system has a proven track record reflecting excellence in state examination results, adaptability to all other music forms and genres and a life-time of meaningful musicianship.

Toward creative, confident and competent musicianship

Focused on:

• Excellence in performance in all that is entailed in traditional harping;

• Developing a personal style;

• Spontaneous and adaptable arranging in any style: generically, traditionally or artistically;

• Confident participation in a traditional session or any musical gathering

• Physical, aural, logic, memory and mental skills development to an advanced degree, and to

• Knowledgeable appreciation of the history and heritage of Ireland and the British Isles

The training offers

One on One, Live or Online Lessons

Group music-making experience socially and in ensemble with:

Winter Weekends

Summer Schools

Specialist Courses and

Teacher Training

Live Group Classes on Thursdays at The Warwick Harp Studio

Fun and social skill building in traditional harpestry history.

Term Fees: Click here

Special discounts for members of Comhaltas. Just ask!

Harp Hire:

Harps are available to beginners at £40 from September to Christmas (first come first served).

After this, the rate goes to the standard monthly hire charge of £40 or £50 (depending on the harp size).

Make an enquiry – Contact Janet