Jess Hughes
Promotion Manager
Jess Hughes is an aspiring young musician who is passionate about the harp. She is currently embarking on a postgraduate degree at the Royal Northern College of Music with Anne-Marie o'Farrell (previously Eira Lynn Jones). As an undergrad at the RNCM her first year of study was generously supported by The Waverly Fund. Before arriving at RNCM, Jess was awarded a scholarship to study at Wells Cathedral School, where she learnt the harp with Ruth Faber.
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As both a soloist and orchestral player, Jess has performed in many venues around Somerset, including Wells Cathedral, Glastonbury Abbey and Strode Theatre. In 2016, Jess played with the NYO Inspire Orchestra during two orchestral residencies under the guidance of Eleanor Hudson and Cathy White. In August 2018 she went on tour to Provence, France, with the West of England Youth Orchestra to play Rimsky-Korsakov’s ‘Scheherazade’. She has since performed with this orchestra playing challenging works including Holsts' 'The Planets' and Schreker's 'Prelude to a Drama'.
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Since arriving at RNCM, Jess has performed with the RNCM Brand New, Symphony and Wind Orchestras, and the RNCM Harp Ensemble. Recently, Jess performed with the Harp Ensemble at the Salvi Showroom in London, and at Harp on Wight Festival in Ryde.
Jess has also competed for several years at the Mid-Somerset, Taunton and Bristol music festivals. In March 2017 she was delighted to receive the award for 'Most Promising Harpist' at Bristol Eisteddfod. In March 2018, she won the ‘Recital for Advanced Solo Harp’ class at Mid-Somerset Festival and the ‘Advanced Solo Harp’ class at Bristol Eisteddfod.
Jess is grateful for the financial aid of the Royal Philharmonic Society, which has helped her to purchase a concert grand harp. This support will enable her to continue sharing the harp’s repertoire. From prestigious performance platforms to charity church concerts; from function playing to busking in seaside towns; from the camaraderie of orchestral musicianship to the intimacy of chamber ensembles, Jess is a versatile harpist whose love for the instrument shows in every aspect of her playing.