I’m a freelance harpist and performer based in Dublin, with over a decade of experience performing with orchestral groups, early music ensembles, bands, and artists across Irish traditional, classical, folk, jazz, contemporary classical, and experimental genres. My versatility on the harp has let me explore new approaches and sounds, and to highlight what the instrument is capable of and where it can be found. As a DIY community artist, I’m committed to collaborative art and dynamic playing styles. I’ve maintained long‑standing collaborations with songwriters Maija Sofia and Aoife Nessa Frances, and I’ve performed with Isadora Epstein as a live soundtrack collaborator. My solo project blends voice, harp, percussion, and electronics to explore historic Irish songs, original compositions, and improvised material. I regularly perform on pedal harp and the Early Irish wire‑strung harp (backed by Arts Council research support) and I’m currently developing new recordings with Ultan O’Brien, Seamus Hyland, and the collaborative improvisational project géis. My work has taken me to the National Concert Hall, Triskel Arts Centre, Cork Improvised Music Club, IMMA’s Earth Rising festival, Feile na Gaeilge, and many other venues and festivals.

Méabh McKenna

I’m a freelance harpist and performer based in Dublin, with over a decade of experience performing with orchestral groups, early music ensembles, bands, and artists across Irish traditional, classical, folk, jazz, contemporary classical, and experimental genres. My versatility on the harp has let me explore new approaches and sounds, and to highlight what the instrument is capable of and where it can be found. As a DIY community artist, I’m committed to collaborative art and dynamic playing styles. I’ve maintained long‑standing collaborations with songwriters Maija Sofia and Aoife Nessa Frances, and I’ve performed with Isadora Epstein as a live soundtrack collaborator. My solo project blends voice, harp, percussion, and electronics to explore historic Irish songs, original compositions, and improvised material. I regularly perform on pedal harp and the Early Irish wire‑strung harp (backed by Arts Council research support) and I’m currently developing new recordings with Ultan O’Brien, Seamus Hyland, and the collaborative improvisational project géis. My work has taken me to the National Concert Hall, Triskel Arts Centre, Cork Improvised Music Club, IMMA’s Earth Rising festival, Feile na Gaeilge, and many other venues and festivals.

Available to hire

I’m a freelance harpist and performer based in Dublin, with over a decade of experience performing with orchestral groups, early music ensembles, bands, and artists across Irish traditional, classical, folk, jazz, contemporary classical, and experimental genres. My versatility on the harp has let me explore new approaches and sounds, and to highlight what the instrument is capable of and where it can be found.

As a DIY community artist, I’m committed to collaborative art and dynamic playing styles. I’ve maintained long‑standing collaborations with songwriters Maija Sofia and Aoife Nessa Frances, and I’ve performed with Isadora Epstein as a live soundtrack collaborator. My solo project blends voice, harp, percussion, and electronics to explore historic Irish songs, original compositions, and improvised material. I regularly perform on pedal harp and the Early Irish wire‑strung harp (backed by Arts Council research support) and I’m currently developing new recordings with Ultan O’Brien, Seamus Hyland, and the collaborative improvisational project géis. My work has taken me to the National Concert Hall, Triskel Arts Centre, Cork Improvised Music Club, IMMA’s Earth Rising festival, Feile na Gaeilge, and many other venues and festivals.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Performer at RTÉ
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020
Opened the RTÉ Folk Music Awards in 2020.
Band Member at RTÉ
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020
Performed as a band member at the RTÉ Choice Awards in 2020.
Band Member at RTÉ
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023
Performed as a band member at the RTÉ Choice Awards in 2023.
Live soundtracking collaborator at Ambient Orbit
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023
Collaborated on live soundtracking for Ambient Orbit’s solo radio broadcast on RTÉ Lyric FM in 2023.
Five-hour improvised collaboration at Ormiston House
October 1, 2024 - October 31, 2024
Co-collaborative improvised event 'House of Changes' at Ormiston House (October 2024).
Support / Collaboration at Aoife Nessa Frances / Julie Byrne
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023
Supported Julie Byrne for her Other Voices television performance; featured in la Blo Gothique YouTube series with Aoife Nessa Frances (2023).
Freelance Solo Performer and Collaborator at Self-employed (Dublin)
January 1, 2014 - Present
Freelance harpist and vocalist performing with orchestral groups, early music ensembles, bands, and artists across Irish traditional, classical, folk, jazz, contemporary classical, and experimental genres. Developed versatile harp approaches (pedal and Early Irish wire-strung harp) and collaborated with Maija Sofia, Aoife Nessa Frances, and Isadora Epstein for live soundtracks. Regularly performs in original performances and at major venues and festivals, including National Concert Hall, Triskel Arts Centre, Berlin and London venues, and RTÉ stages.

Education

Master of Fine Art (MFA), Art in the Contemporary World (First Class Honours) at NCAD Dublin
January 1, 2022 - May 1, 2024
Bachelor in Music Performance (Honours) at DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama
September 1, 2013 - June 1, 2018
Irish Harp Grade 8 (Distinction) at Conservatory/Irish Harp program
January 11, 2030 - February 7, 2026
Piano Grade 8 (Distinction) at Royal Irish Academy of Music
January 11, 2030 - February 7, 2026
Master of Fine Art (MFA) - Art in the Contemporary World (First Class Honours) at NCAD Dublin
January 1, 2022 - May 1, 2024
Bachelor in Music Performance (Honours) at DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama
September 1, 2013 - June 1, 2018
Irish Harp Grade 8 (with Distinction) at Conservatory of Music and Drama
January 11, 2030 - February 7, 2026
Pedal Harp Grade 8 (with Distinction) at Royal Irish Academy of Music
January 11, 2030 - February 7, 2026
RTE Concert Orchestra Mentoring Scheme at RTE Concert Orchestra
January 1, 2018 - February 7, 2026
International Jazz Harp Foundation – Brazilian Jazz Immersion Scholarship at International Jazz Harp Foundation
January 1, 2018 - February 7, 2026

Qualifications

Arts Council Agility Award
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021
Judges’ Choice Award, Dublin Fringe Festival
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
RTE Concert Orchestra Mentoring Scheme
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
Arts Council Agility Award
January 1, 2021 - February 7, 2026
Arts Council Agility Award
January 1, 2023 - February 7, 2026
Arts Council Agility Award
January 1, 2024 - February 7, 2026
RTE Concert Orchestra Mentoring Scheme
January 1, 2018 - February 7, 2026
International Jazz Harp Foundation – Brazilian Jazz Immersion Scholarship
January 1, 2018 - February 7, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Other, Non-Profit Organization, Government