Mared Pugh-Evans Appointed as Official Harpist to the King

Pugh-Evans is the seventh harpist to take the role since it was revived in 2000

 

In 2000, when he was the Prince of Wales, King Charles III revived the long-dormant role of Official Harpist. The post had last been held by the Welsh composer and harpist John Thomas in 1871, but it was discontinued during the reign of Queen Victoria.

The harp is a significant instrument in Welsh culture, and only Welsh harpists may hold the role. It was recently announced that the young harpist Mared Pugh-Evans will be the next King's Harpist.

Pugh-Evans studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, during which time she received the 2019 RWCMD Mansel Thomas Prize, the 2019 RWCMD McGrenery Prize for Chamber Music, and the prestigious Sir Ian Stoutzker Prize for most outstanding instrumentalist in 2020.

She then received her master's degree from the Royal Academy of Music, where she studied with Karen Vaughan. While there, she co-founded the charity Music in Hospices with Joseph Cavalli-Price.

Pugh-Evans will give her first performance as King’s Harpist on July 11, 2024 at the Senedd, Cardiff.

"When I first asked for harp lessons at six years old it never crossed my mind that I would become the King’s Harpist," Pugh-Evans said.

"Receiving this role is a great honor and a great responsibility," she continued. "I am looking forward to introducing the harp to new and diverse audiences but also sharing my Welsh heritage and language, Cymraeg, with people from across the UK and further afield."

"My current community work with Live Music Now, Wigmore Hall's Music for Life, and the City of London Sinfonia, is central to my belief that music is for everyone, that each person can participate in music-making and that music can help uplift, support and bring joy to every life."

"As co-founder of Music in Hospices I have seen first-hand the pleasure and peace that music can bring to people in the most difficult circumstances."