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Biography

Janet Bennett studied harp and singing at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and has played with many professional ensembles and orchestras including the Scottish National and Northern Sinfonia.

In 2006 she was appointed as the Official Harpist to the Lord Mayor of Newcastle upon Tyne and has also had the honour of performing to the King of Spain, the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, Prince Charles and her Majesty the Queen.

Currently enjoying a solo career giving recitals playing for conferences, special occasions and weddings, Janet is considered as one of the most talented harpists and self accompanied singers in Britain today. She has released 3 solo CD's "and is a regular on radio and TV having appeared in the 2014 Christmas Special of Downton Abbey.

As well as a soloist, she has a flute and harp duo and is a member of the popular Border Minstrels trio who are considered one of the leading traditional groups in Northumberland and are a perfect blend of Northumbrian pipes, fiddle, Celtic harp and voice. They have made two recordings of Northumbrian music and songs.

Teaching is also an important part of Janet’s life and she gives regular harp workshops. She is an adjudicator for harp competitions; has produced five books of her own compositions and arrangements for Celtic harp and is the main teacher of harp in the Newcastle upon Tyne area.