Claire Jones

Born in Pembrokeshire, Wales in 1985, Claire began her musical education at the age of seven. She soon excelled in three instruments Harp, Violin, and Piano and achieved three grade 8 distinctions at the age of 14. Claire studied harp with Buddug Stephens until entering the Royal College of Music at 18 years old where she then studied with Ieuan Jones, graduating with 1st class honors in 2007. In 2009 Claire graduated as an M.A. scholar from the Royal Academy of Music where she studied with Professor Skaila Kanga. Claire was one of the first recipients of the Prince of Wales Advanced Study Awards in 2007 and 2008. This award recognising her as one of Wales’ most outstanding young musicans. She is also supported by the Victor Salvi Foundation, the Cork Fund, the Countess of Munster Trust, and the Harriet Cohen Memorial Music Award. In 2007, Claire was appointed Official Harpist to His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales and regularly performs for the Royal Family and distinguished guests at the Royal palaces. Claire made her concerto debut with the English Chamber Orchestra in the same year. In 2008, she performed a concerto with the Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Owain Arwel Hughes at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. This was a performance of a special commission written for His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales’ 60th birthday by Patrick Hawes. The event culminated in a surprise choir of 60 harps organized by Claire. She has also performed solo concertos with such illustrious ensembles as the European Union Chamber Orchestra, the Ulster Symphony Orchestra, and the Royal Academy of Music Soloists. A highlight was being invited to perform as soloist with the world renowned conductor Maestro Gergiev and the Mariinsky Theatre Ballet. At the opening of the International Rugby games in 2008, Wales V South Africa, Prince William Cup saw Claire play to a sell out crowd of 75,000 and 4 million viewers on BBC. 2009 Highlights included a sold out recital at Topkapi Palace, Istanbul, concerto appearances with the English Chamber Orchestra, and a duo recording with Julian Lloyd Webber. 2009 also saw the launch of a brand new exciting duo with talented percussionist and arranger – Chris Marshall. Claire has performed throughout the UK at all major music festivals and concert venues. In 2010, Claire performed the private premiere of the ‘Highgrove Suite’ at HRH’s residence, Highgrove House – a work written in celebration of the work of the Prince’s Foundation for Children and the Arts by Patrick Hawes. It is released on Classic FM label. She also features as soloist on a CD from the National Youth Choir of Scotland - which features the Britten ‘Ceremony of Carols’, and ‘An English Day-book’, by Elizabeth Poston, released by Signum Classics. Other notable artists Claire has collaborated with include Bryn Terfel, Alfie Bow, William Bennett OBE, to name only a few. Claire also performed as a soloist on a Mediterranean cruise with the English Chamber Orchestra, Joshua Bell and Steven Isselis, and has entertained many International audiences and cruise ship passengers through her solo recitals. She has appeared on many major TV and radio networks in the UK, and America including GMTV, BBC, Classic FM and Radio 3, and also featured in a BBC 2 documentary about the ‘Highgrove Suite’ presented by Alan Titchmarsh, as well as being regularly seen on S4C – the Welsh TV network. - 11 - Passionate to promote the harp to all, Claire has been a featured artist in Classic FM Magazine. She encourages youngsters to play the harp through her workshops in schools, and takes great pride in being an ambassador by encouraging and inspiring the next generation of young harpists.