Every Discover The Harp Course for 2026–2027: Find Yours and Book
Have you ever dreamed of playing the harp? Perhaps you imagine the gentle sound of strings filling your home, the quiet satisfaction of learning a beautiful tune, or the magical moment when your first complete melody begins to emerge.
With Discover The Harp, that dream can become a reality in just three hours.
This complete, beginner-friendly introduction requires no previous experience and no music reading. Using the proven teaching method developed by Helen-Elizabeth , Head of Harp at the International School of Musicians, expert tutors guide you from your first notes to playing simple tunes on your own harp.
Below is the complete line-up of upcoming Discover The Harp workshops for 2026–2027, listed in chronological order. Choose your nearest course, check the current availability and booking information, and let your harp journey begin.
What Every In-Person Discover The Harp Course Includes
Every course is designed to give you both an inspiring introduction and everything you need to continue learning at home.
Your course includes:
- Your own handcrafted Discovery 16 harp to take home and keep
- A Welsh-made, 16-string harp small enough to fit in airline hand baggage
- Three hours of expert, supportive tuition
- A complimentary PDF workbook and digital resources pack
- A tuning key, so your harp always sounds its best
- Teaching by ear, with no requirement to read music
- ISoM Step 1 accreditation on in-person courses: an Ofqual-regulated certification from the International School of Musicians
Courses are suitable for ages 16 and above. Under-16s with musical experience may attend when accompanied by an adult throughout the session.
Helen-Elizabeth is Musical Director of Cambrian Harp School and has more than 21 years’ teaching experience. Her qualifications include BA Hons, DipABRSM, CTABRSM and AISoM (Ed). She studied under renowned harp professor David Watkins, and many former students have progressed to major conservatoires, Oxford and Cambridge. Cambrian Harp School students have also enjoyed success on the Eisteddfod circuit.
Numbers are strictly limited, and every harp is hand-built to order. Booking in advance is essential.
1. Llandrindod Wells: The Metropole Hotel
Set in the heart of mid Wales, this welcoming course is an ideal opportunity to begin your journey with expert guidance from Helen-Elizabeth, harp maker Paul and a local Silver Strings tutor.
Course details
- Date: Saturday 10 October 2026
- Time: 10:00am–1:00pm
- Venue: The Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells
- Tutor team: Helen-Elizabeth, Paul and a local Silver Strings tutor
- Booking deadline: 30 September 2026
- Continuation pathway: Silver Strings online harp classes
By the end of the morning, you will have your own Made in Wales Discovery 16, a tuning key and course resources to take home. You will also work towards ISoM Step 1 accreditation.
Book the Discover The Harp course at Llandrindod Wells.
Important: Booking closes on 30 September to allow sufficient time for your harp to be built.
2. Bishton Hall, Staffordshire
Experience the harp in the elegant surroundings of Bishton Hall, a Georgian estate with refined interiors, historic character and expansive grounds.
This course is currently the course with the most availability, making it an excellent choice if you are looking for a 2026 workshop with a little more flexibility.
Course details
- Date: Sunday 11 October 2026
- Time: 10:00am–1:00pm
- Venue: Bishton Hall, Staffordshire
- Level: Complete beginners
- Booking deadline: 1 October 2026
You will learn how to sit at the harp, prepare your hands, find the strings and build your first notes into simple rounds, popular classics and traditional tunes. The course is taught by ear, so there is no need to read music.
Check current availability and book the Bishton Hall course.
Important: Booking closes on 1 October to allow time for the handcrafted harps to be completed.
3. Tŷ Pawb, Wrexham
Tŷ Pawb is a vibrant arts and community hub in North Wales, making it a lively and inspiring setting for this Discover The Harp workshop.
Delivered in partnership with Tŷ Pawb, the course is led by Helen-Elizabeth Naylor with Katie Hedley. It is designed for complete beginners and offers an accessible introduction to the Welsh harp, whether you are exploring a new hobby, looking for a creative experience or beginning a longer musical journey.
Course details
- Date: Saturday 17 October 2026
- Time: 10:00am–1:00pm
- Venue: Tŷ Pawb, Wrexham
- Level: Complete beginners
- Booking: Via the Tŷ Pawb event page or the Discover The Harp collection
Come ready to listen, learn and play. By the end of the session, you will have begun making music on your own handcrafted Discovery 16.
4. Chilworth Manor Hotel, Southampton
Please note that this is an afternoon session, making it particularly convenient for those who cannot attend a morning course.
The workshop takes place at Chilworth Manor Hotel and offers a focused route from complete beginner to ISoM Step 1 accreditation in a single afternoon.
Course details
- Date: Saturday 24 October 2026
- Time: 2:00pm–5:00pm
- Venue: Chilworth Manor Hotel, Southampton
- Booking deadline: 1 October 2026
- Continuation pathway: Solent Harp Studio
Your course includes:
- A Discovery 16 harp to take home and keep
- A tuning key
- Course book PDF and follow-on videos
- Expert beginner tuition
- ISoM Step 1 accreditation
You will be introduced to popular folk tunes and classics, including Ode to Joy and All Through the Night. Zero to Step 1 accredited in an afternoon is the aim.
Contact us by booking through the Southampton Discover The Harp course page.
Important: Booking closes on 1 October so that your harp can be built in time.
5. Totaleigh Music, Tywyn
Head to the Welsh coast for a welcoming introduction to the harp at Totaleigh Music, on Tywyn High Street.
This course is ideal for anyone who has always wanted to try the harp but has felt unsure where to begin. You will learn through a practical, supportive method and take home a handcrafted Welsh harp to continue practising.
Course details
- Date: Saturday 7 November 2026
- Time: 10:00am–1:00pm
- Venue: Totaleigh Music, High Street, Tywyn, LL36 9AD
- Booking deadline: October 2026
- Level: Complete beginners
The digital education pack includes:
- Two video lessons
- PDF workbook
- ISoM workbook
- A Christmas book
- Tuning guidance and supporting resources
The course itself is taught by ear. You do not need to read music, and you do not need any previous musical experience.
Book the Discover The Harp workshop at Totaleigh Music, Tywyn.
6. Wild & Fruity Community Garden, Bolton
Looking for a memorable Valentine’s weekend activity? This friendly Bolton workshop offers the perfect opportunity to try something new together.
Held at Wild & Fruity Community Garden, the course introduces complete beginners to the harp through simple, achievable steps. You will learn how to sit at the instrument, prepare your hands, play your first notes and develop them into tunes.
Course details
- Date: Saturday 13 February 2027
- Time: 10:00am–1:00pm
- Venue: Wild & Fruity Community Garden, Moorside Avenue, Bolton BL1 5RJ
- Level: Complete beginners
- Availability: Strong availability
- Continuation pathway: Local harp teacher Christina and the Silver Strings programme
Your booking includes your own Discovery 16, three hours of tuition, digital education resources and ISoM Step 1 accreditation.
Places are currently available, but numbers are limited. Book the Bolton Discover The Harp workshop.
7. St Magnus Centre, Kirkwall, Orkney
Return to Orkney for the third Discover The Harp course on the islands, held at the St Magnus Centre in Kirkwall.
This is a particularly special course. Each participant receives a personalised Discovery 16 with an Orkney design engraved on the soundboard: a map of the Orkney isles and an Orcadian symbol.
Course details
- Date: Tuesday 6 July 2027
- Time: 10:00am–1:00pm
- Venue: St Magnus Centre, Kirkwall, Orkney
- Booking deadline: 1 June 2027
- Repertoire: Scottish and Orkney favourites, alongside traditional tunes and popular classics
The session is led by Helen-Elizabeth and harp maker Paul. You will learn by ear and explore repertoire connected with Scotland, Orkney and the wider harp tradition.
Booking closes on 1 June 2027 to allow time for the personalised harps to be built. Book the Discover The Harp course on Orkney.
8. Islesburgh Community Centre, Lerwick, Shetland
Discover The Harp is coming to Shetland for the first time in August 2027.
This three-hour beginner workshop explores the harp’s connection with Celtic music, the islands and the wider North Atlantic story. You will learn on a Welsh-made Discovery 16 and work towards playing a tune before the end of the session.
Course details
- Date: Wednesday 25 August 2027
- Time: 10:00am–1:00pm
- Venue: Islesburgh Community Centre, Lerwick, Shetland
- Places: Strictly limited to 20 participants
- Level: Complete beginners
- Booking: Advance booking essential
No previous musical experience or music-reading ability is required. Supportive, hands-on tuition will guide you through your first notes, first tune and first steps as a harpist.
Places are strictly limited to 20. Book the first Discover The Harp workshop in Shetland.
Can’t Travel? Discover The Harp at Home
If you cannot attend an in-person workshop, you can begin your journey at home with the Discovery 16, Discover The Harp at Home package.
It includes:
- A handcrafted Discovery 16 harp
- Introductory book and workbook PDF
- Three video lessons
- ISoM Step 1 workbook
- Tuning key
- A video showing you how to tune your harp
It is a flexible way to learn harp online, practise at your own pace and begin exploring beginner harp music PDF resources from home.
A festive Discover The Harp at Christmas weekend is also planned at Killiane Castle, County Wexford, Ireland, in December 2027. The exact date is still to be confirmed, but preregistration is open through discovertheharp.com.
Choose Your Course and Begin Your Harp Journey
From historic Georgian halls and Welsh arts centres to Orkney and Shetland, every Discover The Harp course offers the same invitation: arrive as a complete beginner and leave with the confidence, resources and handcrafted Welsh harp to continue playing.
Check the current availability, choose your nearest date and book before places and hand-built harps run out.