About me

AWARD-WINNING HARPIST

Award winning harpist, Jess Hughes graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music with a First Class ‘Bachelor of Music with Honours’ degree in 2022, studying with Eira Lynn Jones. She also completed an intensive one-year ‘Master of Music’ degree at the RNCM in 2023, studying with Dr Anne-Marie O’Farrell. Her first year of undergrad was generously supported by the ‘Waverly Fund’, and her Masters year funded by the ‘Jellis Bequest’. Prior to her higher education, Jess was awarded a scholarship to attend Wells Cathedral School, where she studied harp with Ruth Faber.

Pursuing a passion

Jess is grateful for the financial aid of the Royal Philharmonic Society which has helped her to purchase a concert grand harp. This support has enabled her to continue to pursue her passion for sharing the harp’s wonderful repertoire.

Soloist

As a soloist, Jess has performed in all kinds of settings. A highlight from early in her career was when the late former King’s Singer, Nigel Perrin, invited her to perform as a visiting soloist, for his Bath Bach Choir’s annual Christmas concert in the Pump Rooms in Bath.

Since then, she has performed a variety of solo recitals, including at the Stogumber Festival, ‘Night at the Abbey’ in Glastonbury, and Castle Park Arts Centre in Frodsham.

orchestral player

As an orchestral player, Jess has performed in many inspiring venues, including the Bridgewater Hall, Salford Cathedral, Manchester Cathedral, Huddersfield Town Hall and Wells Cathedral – as well as on numerous occasions in the RNCM Concert Hall. Notable concerts at RNCM include performances of Rachmaninov’s ‘Symphonic Dances’ under the baton of Sir Mark Elder and Mahler’s ‘10th Symphony’ with conductor Anthony Hermus. She also regularly performs with orchestras in and around Manchester, including The Hallé, East Lancashire Sinfonia, Gorton Philharmonic, Wrexham Symphony Orchestra and Slaithwaite Philharmonic.

Extensive performances with a
wide range of repertoire

During her Masters year, Jess obtained a position on the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra’s ‘Professional Experience Scheme’. Following a successful audition, Jess attended rehearsals with the orchestra and worked alongside their Principal Harpist, Clifford Lantaff. The scheme allowed her to rehearse a wide range of repertoire and play under the batons of Sir Andrew Davis, Ludovic Morlot and John Storgårds.

Under the direction of former Head of Harp, Eira Lynn Jones, Jess has performed extensively with the RNCM Harp Ensemble, including at the Salvi showroom in London and the Harp on Wight festival in Ryde. In July 2022, she performed at the World Harp Congress in Cardiff, both as a member of the RNCM Harp Ensemble and as a soloist in a masterclass with Isabelle Perrin.

Over the years, Jess has provided beautiful background music for various weddings, parties, and private and corporate functions. She also regularly performs at local retirement homes, to bring some musical entertainment to their residents and staff.

Competing on several occasions at the Mid Somerset, Taunton and Bristol Eisteddfod festivals, Jess has won many awards including first prizes for ‘Most Promising Harpist’, ‘Advanced Solo Harp’ and ‘Recital for Solo Harp’ classes.

Get in touch below to find out more about musical services provided by Jess and availability for upcoming events.

Touring & further experience

Although based in Manchester, Jess enjoys travelling all over to perform. In 2018, she went on tour to Provence, France, with the West of England Youth Orchestra, where they performed various works including Rimsky Korsakov’s ’Scheherazade’ and Ravel’s ‘Bolero’. More recently, she has travelled to the Isle of Man to perform with The Isle of Man Choral Society; to Jersey to perform with Cantabile Choir, and back to her hometown of Wells, to play in Wells Cathedral with the WCS Symphony Orchestra.

Duo Partnerships

Jess is in three duet partnerships – Aaben Duo, with saxophonist, Nathan Holroyd; Tegid Duo, with harpist, Angharad Huw, and a trumpet and harp duo with trumpeter Cameron Chin-See. Her duos have performed for concert series and outreach events in Manchester and beyond, including at the Whitworth Art Gallery, Buxton Opera House, the Bridgewater Hall, Leeds Conservatoire and the Anthony Burgess Foundation.

Tuition and one-to-one lessons

Having been accepted onto the Benedetti Foundation, Jess has gained valuable experience developing an understanding of tuition, learning Kodaly teaching methods (solfege) and finding ways of making music accessible to everyone. She enjoys teaching and currently gives private one-to-one lessons at home, as well as giving online tuition to students at the Jersey Academy of Music.