MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2016: Rachel Hair

Congratulations to Rachel Hair who have been nominated in Music Tutor of the Year sponsored by Creative Scotland Youth Music Initiative in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2016. Vote now!

We asked Rachel Hair of Rachel Hair the following questions.

Tell us about yourself
Anyone who knows me will know that I’m rather obsessed with the harp (aka the clarsach) and I’m lucky enough to have managed to turn my obsession into my profession! For ten years now, I’ve been balancing a career between travelling around performing, and teaching Scottish music on the harp.

I teaching privately; at the Centre of Excellence at Douglas Academy, for the University of the Highlands and Islands and once a month, I also fly over to the Isle of Man to teach Manx harp. I also teach annually with the Celtic Connections education program, the Clàrsach Society and Fèisean nan Gàidheal.

This, combined with performing as a soloist and with the Rachel Hair Trio, well, it means life is busy!

Why are you involved in Scottish music?
I have such a love for the traditional music of Scotland and particularly, that of the Highlands, and I really can’t imagine life without it.

I grew up in the village of Ullapool and from a young age was surrounded by traditional music, thanks to the work of Fèis Rois and the local school teacher Valerie Bryan. At the time, I didn’t realise what a fortunate position I was in but it’s since made me value the critical role that music educators have in the future of Scottish traditional music.

I can only hope that I can prove to be as inspirational to my students, as my teachers were to me.

Any particular career highlights?
The harp is an incredibly popular instrument for adults to learn and it’s given me many opportunities to travel the world as a teacher and performer. I’ve taught and performed at some incredible harp festivals, including the largest Celtic harp festival in the USA, Somerset Harp Festival, and the only harp festival in Russia, Arpavita… both amazing cultural experiences!

This year, I was really chuffed to have several of my compositions and arrangements appear on the syllabus for both the Trinity College of London and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s harp exams.

As a teacher though, the career highlights aren’t always about the glitz and glamour of performing and travelling. I genuinely love seeing my own students progress, whether that’s seeing them finally get a tune they’ve been working on or seeing them progress in their own careers, to the likes of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

What are your plans for the future?
Pretty much to keep going as I am! I really love the varied career that I have and I hope to be able to continue successfully combining life as a performer and as a teacher.

Also, and I’m very excited about this, I’m planning on going on an actual, real-life proper holiday. I’m sure that anyone who knows the self-employed music lifestyle will know how much of a challenge it is to fit this in, without tagging it on to a tour or other music work. I’m determined to make it happen though!

If you would like to come along to the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards in Dundee’s Caird Hall call the Caird Hall box office on (01382) 434940 or buy online.