Rhian Hanson

Rhian is originally from the Rhondda Valley in South Wales, and regularly plays with the UK’s leading orchestras, including the BBC symphony orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, English National Opera, Birmingham Royal Ballet, she has also performed in the West End. Over the years Rhian has enjoyed an exciting and varied profession. There have been dozens of thrilling performances but here are a few of her most favourite experiences – playing the national anthems for the presidents of Poland and Malta at an EU welcome dinner at the houses of parliament playing with the world renowned soprano Renée Fleming and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Opera House in Oman, recording two tracks on Laura Mvula’s mercury prize nominated album ‘Sing to the moon’ playing Waterloo sunset by the kinks for Katie Melua as she walked down the aisle working as associate harpist on the West End show My fair lady with the hollywood star and fellow countryman Jonathan Pryce performing with Father John Misty and the BBC symphony orchestra – a particular career highlight being a FJM super fan!! And probably her most favourite anecdote – meeting and chatting with Tom Cruise on the set of the Jonathan Ross show.

Rhian studied at two of London’s most distinguished music conservatoires. She is a graduate harpist of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London and received a scholarship to study for her postgraduate diploma at Trinity College of Music, London for which she received a distinction. A frequent prize winner in her early music years, prizes include second prize in the junior world harp contest in 1994, the Nansi Richards scholarship and runner-up in the Blue Ribbon prize at the National Eisteddfod in 1998. Rhian is also a beneficiary of the Countess of Munster musical trust, the Clothworker’s foundation, the Grace Williams memorial trust and the Craxton memorial trust

. Rhian made her concerto debut playing the Debussy dances with Milton Keynes City Orchestra, and later that year with Southbank Sinfonia at the Cheltenham festival. Her chamber music recital experience includes the Cheltenham, Brighton, Canterbury and Oundle festivals. Rhian’s popular classical experience includes tours with Josh Groban, Il divo and Katherine Jenkins, and her TV credits to date include the Jonathan Ross show, the Alan Titchmarsh show, and channel 4’s Jewish mum of the year. Rhian’s harp playing can be heard on Laura Mvula, Jonathan Antoine and Chris Moyles’ album