Llywelyn Ifan Jones

Born in Aberaeron, Llywelyn successfully completed his postgraduate studies in 2015 with the highest class from the Universität Mozarteum in Salzburg where he was First Prize winner of the 'Savarez-Corelli Kammermusik Competition.’ He was mentored by Stephen Fitzpatrick (Principal Harpist of the Staatskapelle Orchestra, Berlin). His Master’s studies were generously funded by the James Pantyfedwen Trust.

Previous to his time in Salzburg, he studied the harp intensively with Caryl Thomas at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama where he was the recipient of numerous awards including the Mansel Thomas Award, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers Award and on two occasions, the Daniel Emlyn Davies Award. In 2013 he was a winner of a prestigious Lyon and Healy Award, first prize winner at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod and the winner of the Pencerdd Gwalia Competition.

Llywelyn recently performed Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia in Salzburg during Mozart Week 2016 shortly after working with Vasily Petrenko in Norway. As a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Wales, Llywelyn was chosen to perform with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales in the BBC Proms as part of their ‘side by side’ scheme and has performed with Sinfonia Cymru, the Cory Band and at the Ungdomssymfonikerne. Also, during a placement scheme at the RWCMD, he has performed alongside the Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera.

Llywelyn was selected to perform at the World Harp Congress in Vancouver and has also given solo performances in Vienna, Salzburg and Norway. He made his concerto debut in 2014, performing Mozart’s Concerto for Flute and Harp with Jemma Freestone at the Dora Stoutzker Hall in Cardiff.

He has performed for a variety of audiences and events including various Music clubs across the U.K. He performed for the Diamond Jubilee celebration of HRH Queen Elizabeth II and celebratory Wales Rugby Union events on numerous accounts. Other sporting events include hospitality engagements with the Football Association of Wales and the London 2012 Wales Olympic launch.

In April 2014 Llywelyn was chosen for the late Yehudi Menuhin’s Live Music Now scheme both as a soloist and in a duo with the soprano Jessica Robinson with whom he performed as part of the outreach programme at the Fishguard International Music Festival. The scheme has taken him to perform in many venues across Wales, Austria and Germany.

Llywelyn has a wide variety of experience catering to many different types of special ocassions from corporate functions to weddings, anniversary milestones, birthday parties and can add a poignant touch to a funeral. Having studied a whole range of different repertoire he can offer multiple genres which include Classical favourites. He can also offer traditional folk music from the British Isles alongside Jazz standards and even current popular music. He works closely with a flautist and a soprano singer therefore can offer a Harp and Flute duo and a Harp and Voice duo.

Harp music can be a great addition to any part of your wedding day. It can be included before the ceremony as the guests await the arrival of the bridal party and can provide elegant music for the procession. It is often that Harp music is wanted for the signing of the register and to close the ceremony during the exit of the newly married couple.

It is common for a harpist to play during the ceremony and then to entertain the guests during a drinks reception as the couple take wedding photos or mingle with the guests as they wait for the wedding breakfast.