About Eleanor

Born in Buxton, Derbyshire, Eleanor was first inspired to play the harp when, aged six, she saw Harpo Marx on television. 

 

At thirteen she finally got her first harp, studying with Mair Jones from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. At 16 she gained a place at Chethams School of Music, going on to the Royal Northern College of Music, where she was awarded the Guinness Scholarship for Harp as well as attaining the highest mark ever given for harp performance. Eleanor then went on to gain a distinction at the Royal College of Music. 

 

She played for the Malaga Symphony Orchestra (where she also learnt to cook paella), and then on her return to England was offered the role as Principal Harpist with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, a role she held for 17 years.

 

Orchestral playing, solo recitals, private functions, conferences, events and hotel appearances have taken her all over Europe as well as the UK.

 

Eleanor has performed in many promenade concerts at the Albert Hall in London. She has worked with conductorssuch as  Sir Charles Groves, Sir Simon rattle and in a lighter genre performed with the late Tony Bennett, Bill Bailey and Elvis Costello. TV and radio work includes playing with Ronnie Hazlelhurst’s Orchestra, solo work on ITV’s programme ‘Celebration’, a live broadcast of flute and harp music for Radio 2 as well as many recordings for television theme tunes and adverts. She was also a member of the Stars in Their Eyes band for ITV. Last year Eleanor took part in the final concert of the Edinburgh Fesival performing with Nicola Benedetti, also performing with Nicola in  July 23  for the Honours of Scotland Ceremony for King Charles at St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh.

 
En has performed at many venues including:

 

• Royal Albert Hall, London

• Barbican, London

• Southbank, London

• Bridgwater  Hall, Manchester 

• Usher Hall, Edinburgh

• Lowry Theatre, Manchester

• Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester 

• Musicverein, Vienna

• Carnegie Hall, New York