"One of the UK's finest contemporary Celtic harpists
and tunesmiths" (Songlines)
Rachel Hair performs a spellbinding mix of
Scottish, Irish and original harp music both as a soloist and in her trio with
fellow musicians Jenn Butterworth (guitar/vocals) and Euan Burton (double
bass).
Drawing inspiration from the hothouse that is Scotland's
diverse music scene, the group's arrangements breathe passion, emotion and
energy into traditional and contemporary tunes and songs, the result of which is
quite simply sheer joy and irresistible fun.
Rachel, from the Highland village of Ullapool, is renowned
for her bright and bubbly approach to the Scottish harp. A first class Honours
graduate in music from Glasgow's University of Strathclyde, and recipient of
the Sir Alexander Stone Award for excellence in performance, her two highly
commended albums Hubcaps and Potholes and The Lucky Smile showcase the oldest
of Scottish instruments in a new, inspired light.
"Hair has that uncanny knack of picking just the right
tunes to take her audience on a spectacular acoustic musical tour." (Folk and Roots)
As well as performing Rachel is a highly experienced, and
much sought after freelance tutor of the harp with many of her students gaining
1sts at local and National Gaelic Mods and All Scotland and All Britain Irish
Music Fleadhs.
Regularly tutoring for organistations including Feisean Nan
Gaidheal, Feis Rois (Scottish Gaelic Music), Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (Irish
music) and Glasgow's own Celtic Connections, she is currently the harp tutor at
Douglas Academy, one of Scotland's four specialist schools for excellence in
music.
Rachel frequently travels far and wide to countries which
have included France (Rencontres de la harpe Celtique in Brittany festival),
Germany (Harfentreffen Harp festival), Switzerland (Celtic Days Harp Festival)
, Finland, Denmark, the USA and India, to teach not only Scottish/Irish Harp
but general traditional/Celtic Music and Groupwork.
She teaches using the traditonal "by-ear" method
with a strong emphasis on fun and enjoyment. Her arrangements are played
worldwide and her recently published harp arrangement book "Mostly
Scottish Harp, Volume 1" has been been warmly received.
"a fine addition to any harpers repertoire - and not
only harpers. " (Folkword)