​Professional Harpist based in West Sussex

Fran is a passionate professional event harpist and harp teacher.
Concert Harpist - Available to hire for all events inc. weddings
Tutor - ​Harp, Piano, Vocal and Theory Tutor
Resident Harpist and Online Marketing Co-ordinator- Pilgrim Harps

Weddings

Tuition

Repatoire

Past Events

Testimonials

Biography

Fran is a professional harpist based in West Sussex. 
She enjoys a busy career running the PoppyHarp Harp Studio and as a professional harpist.
Fran is enjoys performing an eclectic music but is especially passionate about pop music and bringing the harp into the 21st century.  Fran is an experienced wedding harpist and loves creating the perfect arrangement of music for each couples special day.
Fran is known for her passion and innovation. As Pilgrim Harps,  Resident Harpist and Online Marketing Coordinator, Fran enjoys performing and conducting masterclasses on behalf of the company. Fran particularly enjoys organising "Come and Try the Harp" events which offer the opportunity for anyone of any age and ability can try a harp and learn more about the instrument. ​
​Fran has enjoyed performing in venues such as St John Smith Square, Royal Albert Hall, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Birmingham Town Hall, Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester Minerva Theatre and many more.

Fran has competed in and won many competitions including West Sussex Musician of the Year in 2011. Her solo and ensemble career with groups such as the International Harp Ensemble, and various chamber groups and orchestras has taken her around Europe.  
In 2015 Fran graduated from Birmingham Conservatoire of Music. During this time Fran enjoyed studying with teachers including Catherine White, Gabriella Dall'Olio, David Watkins, Skaila Kanga, Louisa Maria Cordell, Charlotte Seale, and Anne Hughes Chamberlain. 
​Fran has been teaching the harp for over 10 years. She currently teaches privately and in three schools in the Midlands; Kings High School for Girls and Warwick Preparatory School.  Fran ensures all her students have regular opportunities to perform and runs termly student concerts. Fran teaches privately from her harp studio in Warwick - PoppyHarp Showroom. PoppyHarp is a harp showroom for British Harp Companies including; Pilgrim Harps, Silver Spear Harps and Derwent harps. It is also a publishing company for young professional composers. Fran is Company Director of PoppyHarp Publishing. April 2015 brought the release of a new set of Harp tuition books for students of all ages, parental help guides and advice for teachers. As Company Director of PoppyHarp Publishing, Fran helps young professional musicians and composers publish their first compositions. From PoppyHarp Fran has launched the Future Blend Project. The project is now internationally renowned; it is a year long composition competition that pairs harpists and composers together in order to create some incredible new music. The project is now in its third year and has had two sell out concerts, published 18 new works and recorded 2 CD’s of brand new harp music. As Founder and Director of the Future Blend Project, Fran has enjoyed working with a wide variety of musicians such as Eleanor Turner, Kirsty Devaney, Dominic Sewell, Paul Lewis, Edmund Joillfe, Shelley FairPlay, Amy Turk and more. ​
​Fran also enjoys working with various charities and projects such as the Harp On Wight Festival as a web-designer. PoppyHarp specialises in creating easy to use websites for young professional musicians. Fran enjoys her diverse career, performing in concerts, at weddings and events, as a music and health musicians at hospitals and hospices, teaching and running her companies. For a full list of events and more information please visit: www.franbarsbyharpist.co.uk