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Dynamic Harps is a community based ensemble in Cardiff, Wales, where the harp is the National Instrument.  The membership ranges from harp novices to students of a grade 7 level, with children through to post retirement performing together in the group. The ensemble is run by the passionate and dedicated harpist and teacher Shelley Fairplay: www.harpwales.com.

Dynamic Harps are a supportive and dedicated group of fellow harp enthusiasts who meet weekly to play a diverse range of musical genres together; traditional, classical, pop, rock, show tunes, film music, Jazz and more. Songs are requested by the members and arranged by our director for us to perform.

Some of our favorite places to perform have been the Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay, the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea, and Churches in our local area.

shelley with gold harpThe director, Shelley Fairplay is a performer and teacher with over 15 years experience teaching harp, harp ensembles and workshops for all ages. She is the founder of “Harpist for a Day”, a program that gives non harpists the opportunity to go from first note to concert performer in a single day. Her successful concert series “The Three Strands: Passion, Sorrow and Joy” was premiered in the UK in 2014, and her CD of the same name was released in 2015. Her 2016 concert series “HarpOSphere” features her own original works along with her arrangements of popular, classic and traditional tunes. She has performed throughout the UK, and appeared in Europe and the U.S. as a soloist and alongside internationally renowned harpists including electric jazz harpist Deborah Henson-Conant. Her Dynamic Harps Ensemble, features both an adult and children’s group, filled with harpists who enjoy learning and performing music from films, pop, shows, classical, Jazz and Celtic genres. 2016 has seen the launch of her brand new online harp course for beginner harpists, START HARP. You can read more about Shelley Fairplay on her website: http://www.harpwales.com.

This website was initially created by Alys, Caitlyn (two student members of Dynamic Harps) and Shelley during their work experience week with Shelley in July 2016.  A big thank you from all the members to the students for their hard work on this project!