FindaHarpist
Classical / Popular
Anita - ID434
Styles Classical / Popular
Counties Cumbria • Durham • East Riding of Yorkshire • Lancashire • North Yorkshire • Northumberland • South Yorkshire • West Yorkshire
Biography
Anita began playing the Harp at the age of 9 with Dorothy Gilbertston, commuting to Harrogate for weekly lessons. She made her BBC debut in 1982 at the age of 10!
Invitations then followed to perform at the Gulbenkian Theatre (Newcastle), Winyard Hall, Bowes Museum and at various other venues in the North East. Winner of Young Musician of Teesside in 1986, she became a member of the Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra. Subsequently she joined the Cleveland Youth Orchestra and has toured Europe with them.
She graduated in July 1995 with a BMus (Hons) Degree after studying at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama with teachers; Professor David Watkins, Charlotte Seale and Helen Tunstall. During her course she was also a member of the Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.
Some of the highlights whilst studying were; playing for BBC Television's Christmas Presence (Dec. 1993) starring Cliff Richard; and also performing in Benjamin Britten's War Requiem at St Paul's Cathedral under the baton of Sir Richard Hickox. In May 1995 she was privileged to play at the VE Day Royal Banquet at the Guild Hall at which were present members of the Royal family and 50 Heads of State.
In August 1996 Anita was Harp tutor for the National Children's Orchestra (11yrs & under). In February 1997 she was honoured to form part of the orchestra backing for Opera singer Lesley Garret. Later that year, in May, Anita released her first public recording called Harping On under the label of Huntcliffe Recording Services.
Television credits include appearances in Mansfield Park (ITV, March 07) Songs of Praise (Dec. 93 and May 99), Tonight (Tyne Tees Television, Feb. 96) and Look North (BBC Newcastle, April 00 and July 01).
In June 2000, Anita played for HRH the Prince of Wales during a visit to Sir William Turner?s Almshouses at Kirkleatham.
In November 2002, Anita played for Brahms Requiem at Middlesbrough Town Hall which included the guest appearance of Sir Thomas Allen.
At present Anita is engaged in both free-lance work and teaching, she has achieved a great reputation as a Harpist in the North East playing with; Cleveland Chamber and Philharmonic Orchestras, Durham Sinfonia, City of Leeds Sinfonia, Leeds Youth Opera, Huddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra, Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra, Guildhall Barbican Orchestra of York, the Orchestra of Opera North, Carl Rosa Opera Orchestra (Britain?s oldest opera company), Manchester Camerata, Northern Ballet Theatre Orchestra, Sinfonia Viva and all the many local Choral Societies and Choirs.
Anita owns and performs on a Lyon & Healy Concert Grand pedal Harp.
SAMPLE REPERTOIRE
CLASSICAL
Arrival of the Queen of Sheba - Handel
Grand March - from Aida Verdi
Ode to Joy - Beethoven
Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring - Bach
Sleeper's Awake - Bach
Nimrod - Elgar
Canon in D - J Pachelbel
Intermezzo - P Mascagni
Barcarolle - J Offenbach
Bridal March - from Lohengrin
Flower Duet - Delibes
Minuet - Boccherini
Dance of the Blessed Spirits - C W von Gluck
Voi Che Sepete from the Marriage of Figaro - Mozart
O Mio Babbino Caro - G Puccini
Trumpet Voluntary - H Purcell
Wedding March - Mendelssohn
Opera Highlights - Various
TRADITIONAL
English, Welsh, Irish, Scottish - Various
Danny Boy - Irish
Greensleeves - English
All through the Night - Welsh
The Ash Grove - Welsh
David of the White Rock - Welsh
Country Gardens - English
Believe me, if all those Endearing young charms - Traditional
Skye Boat Song - Scottish
O Carolan - Various
Land of my Father's - Welsh
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