Heather chats with Eleanor about finding her way back to the lever harp and building a creative career rooted in collaboration, groove, and traditional music.

They explore her early start through Irish music, the pressures of formal study, her time at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and how working with other musicians helped shape her voice as a harpist.

In this episode:

• How Eleanor first discovered the harp through a school music programme

• Moving from traditional music into more formal classical training

• Studying pedal harp at university and the pressure that came with it

• Reconnecting with the lever harp during Covid

• Heather’s memories of teaching Eleanor during her Masters at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

• Playing with Ranagri and developing the harp’s role in a band setting

• Collaborating with Gregor Black and exploring groove, rhythm, and harp with percussion

This is an honest and inspiring conversation about creative identity, collaboration, and finding the musical path that feels most authentic.

Host:

Heather Downie - Harpist, Principal Lever Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Founder of How To Harp

Guest:

Eleanor Dunsdon - Professional Harpist, Composer, and How To Harp Guest Tutor

Learn with us:

https://www.HowToHarp.com (membership, courses, retreats)

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