'Celestial' - Shamira Ahmed, Front Row

A prolific, boldly innovative harpist, composer and singer Esther Swift works across genres, drawing inspiration from her Scottish folk roots as well as chamber pop, jazz and classical music. Her songs feature breathtaking technical agility on the pedal harp deftly interwoven with powerful lyrics and catchy melodies.

'Bjork-esque' ***** - Edinburgh Reporter

Esther writes for ensembles large and small. Recent commissions include a suite of new music setting the work of former Scottish Makar Jackie Kay's poetry (for Edinburgh International Book Festival) as well as a multi-ensemble composition for 80 musicians for East Neuk Festival.

Using poetry as a basis for songwriting is a strong theme in Esther's work and she has worked with poems by Carol Ann-Duffy, Edwin Morgan, Jackie Kay, WB Yeates and Rachel McCrum as well as he own words to create deeply moving meditative songs. She has also worked with prose by the writer Kirsty Logan and has collaborated with storytellers, dancers and electronic musicians.

Esther plays in Twelfth Day with her duo partner Catriona Price and leads the Manchester-based harp quartet Clouds. She has worked with musicians such as Fergus McCreadie, Hannah Peel, Vulva Voce, Aidan O'Rourke, Kit Downs, the Unthanks and many others.

Esther studied at Edinburgh’s St Mary’s Music School and the Royal Northern College of Music, as well as with harp pioneer Catriona McKay. She has travelled to Vietnam, New Zealand, Malaysia, Mongolia, and beyond with her music, and shared international, music led collaborations with musicians and other artists from around the world.

She has recently been commissioned by Celtic Connections, Chamber Music Scotland, Hidden Door Festival, Manchester Jazz festival and The Edwin Morgan Trust.
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Esther's debut solo studio album, Expectations of a Lifetime, was released in June 2024 and can be found on all platforms.

Entry requirements: no age restrictions — Read more — Read less