Alis Huws
Former Official Royal Harpist (2019-2024), Alis Huws is a freelance soloist, orchestral and chamber musician. She regularly gives recitals across the UK and internationally, having performed at prestigious venues worldwide. She is an exclusive Decca Classics recording artist, having collaborated with Sheku Kanneh-Mason and Jess Gillam. Her latest EP, Cosy Nights by the Fire is out now on all streaming platforms.
Named on Classic FM’s 30 under 30 Rising Stars list for 2024, some recent highlights include appearing as a soloist with the Philharmonia Orchestra at Classic FM Live at the Royal Albert Hall and recording on the Gramophone Award Nominated album - Britten’s Canticles - with tenor James Way.
Alis champions living composers, and has given several world and UK premieres to date, including a new work by Alice Beckwith for Tenor and Harp commissioned for her and Mark Padmore. She is excited to collaborate with composer Cameron Biles-Liddell on a new harp concerto which will premiere with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales in 2026.
Alis was privileged to perform at His Majesty King Charles III’s Coronation at Westminster Abbey. She performed Sir Karl Jenkins’ arrangement of Tros y Garreg (Crossing the Stone) for solo harp and strings, as well as being a part of the prestigious Coronation Orchestra, formed specially for the occasion. Other high-profile engagements include the Welsh National Service of Prayer and Reflection for HM Queen Elizabeth II, The Royal Opening of the Senedd 2016 and 2021, The Welsh National Thanksgiving Service for VJ Day and the opening of the Welsh Government’s offices in Berlin. In 2019 she appeared as a soloist with Britten Sinfonia, which was later broadcast on Classic FM. Her work has been broadcast on TV and Radio across the world.
Alis is passionate about bringing music into communities, and gives regular interactive concerts for people living with dementia as well as working with children with additional needs. In 2023, she embarked on a tour of 30 primary schools across rural Powys to celebrate 30 years of Live Music Now’s work in Wales, and currently holds a weekly residency at a SEND school. It has become her mission to include some wider community work to coincide with any recital performances.
Alis was made an Honorary Associate of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD), her alma mater in 2022. She started harp lessons with Ieuan Jones, and went on to study with Caryl Thomas for her Bachelor and Master’s degrees. As part of her studies, Alis also spent time at Conservatorium van Amsterdam on the Erasmus scheme, studying with renowned harpist Erika Waardenburg. At RWCMD, she was awarded the Midori Matsui Prize for Music, the Royal Welch Fusiliers Harp Prize, the McGrennery Chamber Music Prize, and the Rev. Paul Bigmore Music in the Community Award. Her studies were generously supported by the Tillett Trust, The Biddy Baxter and John Hosier Trust, the Arts Council of Wales, the EMI Sound Foundation and a Help Musicians UK Postgraduate Award.