Tina Thornton, harpist

Tina Thornton aka Harmonic Curve (this is what the neck of the harp is called)

I started playing the harp around 15 years ago. I had no idea when I began just how much it would become such a huge part of my life.

I initially had what was classed as a student harp – a Morley 34 string but once I had been playing out in public for a couple of years I then got my beloved Teifi ‘Eos’ (which is Welsh for Nightingale) – a 36 string concert gauge Celtic lever harp.

The first wedding I played at I was absolutely terrified but loved every minute…I have now played at over 100 weddings and events across the midlands. I still get a little nervous but the response I get from the audience is so wonderful.

I think my most memorable wedding was at Coombe Abbey. The bride and groom were big fans of the film Jurrasic Park and had asked me to play the theme tune. The wedding took place outside in the beautiful grounds that surround the Abbey. None of the guests had any idea and as I began to play to a silent congregation the wind began to rustle the trees and I could see people out the corner of my eye looking bemused at each other, then someone shouted “should we run” – everyone just burst out laughing (including me).

I play classical, pop and traditional – and anything else that takes my fancy. I am currently learning Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy.

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