Llywelyn Ifan Jones

“This is no demure tinkling. Expect to be drawn to the very edge of your seat by the commitment, warmth, and fluency of his playing.” BBC Hinterland composer John Hardy perfectly captures the artistry of Llywelyn Ifan Jones: an internationally recognised harpist celebrated for his expressive musicianship, genre-spanning performances, and contemporary approach to the instrument. Winner of the 2020 Camac Harp Competition at the North London Festival, semi-finalist at the World Harp Competition, and recipient of a Gold Award at the 2026 Vienna International Music Competition, Llywelyn has built an international career across solo performance, orchestral work, theatre, commercial collaborations, and immersive recital programming. Classically trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and the Universität Mozarteum Salzburg, he has performed throughout the UK and Europe, appearing at the World Harp Congress in Vancouver and Cardiff, Mozart Week in Salzburg, and alongside organisations including the Royal Opera House, British Sinfonietta, Southern Sinfonia, and the British Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. In 2026, he joined the touring production of The Carpenters Story, further expanding his work into large-scale theatrical performance. A passionate advocate for Welsh music and culture, Llywelyn was awarded the title of Pencerdd Cymru (Chief Musician of Wales) in 2013 in honour of Welsh harpist and composer John Thomas. His work explores themes of identity, landscape, storytelling, and heritage through recital programmes that challenge traditional expectations of the harp. Recent projects include Water: A Force of Nature, an immersive recital experience exploring the emotional, political, and cultural significance of water through music by Philip Glass, Bedřich Smetana, David Watkins, Amy Beach, and Mared Emlyn. His work has also attracted coverage from Classic FM and wider media outlets. Recent and upcoming engagements include performances of Germaine Tailleferre’s Concertino for Harp and Orchestra with Sinfonia Smith Square, performances with “Operaen i Kristiansund” in Norway, and a solo recital tour across Scandinavia. Alongside his concert work, Llywelyn performs regularly for luxury events and private engagements throughout the UK, with repertoire spanning classical music, Welsh traditional music, film, jazz, pop, and musical theatre. He was also featured as the official harpist in a Guinness campaign created in collaboration with Arsenal F.C.. From concert halls and international festivals to theatrical tours and contemporary media collaborations, Llywelyn Ifan Jones continues to redefine the role of the harp for modern audiences.