About

Born in the village of Neilston, Neil is a Glasgow based Scottish traditional harper, educator and researcher.

As an educator, Neil teaches regular group classes, one of topical workshops and individual private lessons - teaching both online and in-person. He has an inclusive approach to music education, keen that the learner experience is tailored to each individual, with a fun and energetic teaching style with centred around learning wellbeing and enjoyment.

As a performer, Neil primarily plays a Starfish Glenelle lever-harp with gut string, but also performs and teachers wire-strung harp on an Ardival Rose.

Identifying as a traditional musician first and foremost, Neil looks to emulate the sounds and textures of other traditional Scottish instruments and styles through exploring ornamentation and texture. Neil often uses fingernail techniques in the right hand (melody) to achieve this. He also has an interest in dual-handed accompaniment, particularly for use within traditional music sessions.

Neil performs regularly with storyteller Daniel Serridge as Harp and Carp, intertwining folk tales with traditional music and improvised soundscapes.

He is currently undertaking a part-time PhD at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland entitled ‘An Approach to Sounding Scottish on the Harp’ – exploring the development of traditional harp playing in Scotland, how this relates to Scotland’s wider Scottish traditional music landscape and what it might mean to ‘sound Scottish’ on the harp. In 2021 Neil lead co-authorship of a chapter in Harp Studies II with Prof. Josh Dickson entitled: “A harper's perspective on the revival (or re-invention?) of the Scottish harp”.

Neil has a passion for making the harp, and traditional music more widely, accessible to all. He is the founding director of The Folks’ Music Project CIC – a Social Enterprise which delivers accessible traditional music activities and tuition to people of all ages in community settings in Greater Glasgow.

He is also currently the Vice Convenor of the Clarsach Society, and Convenor of the Society’s Glasgow branch. In this voluntary role, Neil aims to help widen access to the harp in Scotland and beyond. The Society was formed in 1931 and celebrates the harp as one of Scotland’s oldest instruments, through 14 regional branches delivering tuition and activities, and a national affordable harp hire scheme. The Society also runs Edinburgh International Harp Festival, one of the largest annual harp events in the world, now in its 45th year. Neil has an active role with the EIHF team as Outreach Co-ordinator, developing youth and community outreach activities for the festival.

Neil also enjoys corporate and private event work, performing across the country in some of the nation’s most high-end and historic venues.