ELEANOR TURNER

Eleanor Turner is a harpist and composer with accolades including First Prize in the 2007 European Harp Competition, Second Prize in the 2011 Gaudeamus Interpreters Contest and a Wingate Scholarship. She has released several albums of music by living composers on her label Arts In Fusion, and staged multidisciplinary shows such as 'Elusive Symmetry' (2011), a hip-hop fusion show, and 'Wild Bird' (2015), a concert that showcased her spoken word and electro-acoustic compositions.

Alongside an international recital career, Eleanor has used her professional standing to question the rigidity of classical concerts and the nature of the harp itself. Whilst being Head of Harp at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC) she worked with Dr Balandino Di Donato to enable plucked sounds to sustain and grow, and to defy the harp's static nature by 'throwing sound' around a space. Eleanor performed her gesture-controlled piece 'The Wood and the Water', based on a poem she wrote in British Sign Language and using Di Donato's ‘MyoSpat’ technology, at the 2017 International Computer Music Conference in Shanghai. A year later, she curated the world's first Electro Harp Day at the RBC.

From Eleanor's 'Philo Sophia' workshops, which highlight and explore a diverse range of feminine wisdom, to 'Disrupted Icons', her collaboration with visual artist Lucy Cade, the past five years have seen Eleanor challenging societal expectations of women within the sphere of western classical music. 'Disrupted Icons' was an exhibition that subverted expectations of motherhood using religious iconography, film and a deeply personal sonic installation by Eleanor. Last year, she was moved to compile a book of harp arrangements called 'Lullabies for the Land' to raise funds for Palestinian children's charities. With cover design and layout by Scottish-Palestinian artist Dima Nowarah, it represents Eleanor's most meaningful musical contribution to date. Order a copy here or pop to the Shop page to find the PDF digital version. The Crowdfunder and subsequent sales and launch events were well supported (thank you!) and the amount donated to the Ghassah Abu Sittah Children's Fund and the Middle East Children's Alliance exceeds £1500 so far.  

Exciting opportunities abound in 2025 for Eleanor and her tabla and harp duo, Tāla Tarang. If you'd like to book them, or Eleanor, for a concert or appearance, simply email info@eleanorturner.com and enquire about rates and availability. In April, Tāla Tarang are tutoring two courses, a workshop and performing a concert at the Edinburgh International Harp Festival. 

If you're looking for Eleanor's updated teaching schedule, it's here: view slots and book here (payment is not taken at time of booking).