Need a Harper?

Gwen Knighton is a professional musician with a long history of performing for both large and small audiences, in all kinds of venues. Check out her bio to learn more.

Whether you have need of quiet instrumental music to complement your corporate, neighborhood, or private party, would like the magical sound of the wire harp at your wedding, or are looking for a competent and articulate master of this fascinating instrument to visit your school, club or coffeehouse, Gwen's an excellent choice.

What kind of music does Gwen play?

Instrumentally, Gwen's focus is Scottish music, although she is familiar with and has other styles and genres in her repertoire as well. Because the wirestrung harp is a diatonic instrument, there are some classical pieces that are difficult or impossible to play on it. So if you're looking for a wedding harpist who can play Debussy, Gwen will happily recommend another harper. If you are interested in a dynamic performer of traditional and early music, Gwen is the perfect choice. While her real love is Scottish music on the wire harp, Gwen's quite comfortable with other traditional music and often slips Irish or Welsh tunes into her sets. She also has a passion for and interest in early music.

As a singer and songwriter, Gwen's music runs the gamut from early and traditional to contemporary folk, original songs, and country. Yes, you can play country music on a wire harp! She collects and performs Scottish, English and Appalachian ballads, particularly murder ballads, and she's well-known for her memorable sets in which she guarantees at least one death in every song. Of course, if you'd rather not hear songs where people drop like flies, Gwen knows happy love songs, story songs, funny songs, and sentimental songs as well. If you'd like her to learn something special for your special occasion, email her at the link below to discuss your request; she can probably accommodate you.

How far in advance should I talk to Gwen about a booking?

As with most artists, Gwen prefers her schedule to fill up months in advance; it just makes her feel better about herself. Seriously, it depends on a number of things, including the season of the year, what Gwen's band Three Weird Sisters is up to, the festival schedule, and all kinds of other things. The best thing to do when you know what date you'd like her to perform for you is get in touch. If you're booking on short notice, weekdays and weeknights are often good. Weekend nights fill up most quickly, and sometimes entire weekends close early for conventions and festivals.

Gwen's complete schedule is coming soon!.

How much does it cost to hire Gwen?

There will be a schedule of fees linked from this page shortly. For now, the answer is, it varies. Wedding ceremonies start at £200. Gwen's per-hour rate is £50. Special repertoire, songs, songwriting-for-hire, and personal requests are extra. Remember that the rest of Three Weird Sisters, are in the United States, so hiring the whole band will entail some planning, not to mention plane fares and accommodation in the UK for Brenda, Teresa and Mary. But if you want to, go right ahead!