E L L E N  S M I T H graduated from University College London with a first class honours degree in Classics before pursuing a Masters in Music Performance at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where she specialised in Early Music.

A harpist and singer, Ellen has performed in some of Britain’s top concert venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Barbican, St. John Smith’s Square and St. Martin-in-the-Fields where she was also a choral scholar.

As a former member of the BBC Symphony Chorus she has often performed at the BBC Proms, including the Last Night of the Proms. She has appeared on radio and television playing her harp, most recently for the Irish RTÉ network.

Particular career highlights include London performances of the Handel harp concerto with the Clemens non Papa Consort, Britten’s Ceremony of Carols at Westminster Cathedral, The Chapel of the Savoy and St. James’ Piccadilly with the English Chamber Choir, the chamber version of Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms with Vox Cordis at Holy Trinity Kensington and Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro in Blackheath as part of her harp duo ConChordae 94.

Ellen enjoys an international career. Frequent orchestral concert and tour engagements have taken her to the Salzburg, Istanbul and Gran Canaria Festivals, and further afield, to Beijing with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Tenerife. A regular guest solo artiste aboard Cunard’s fleet since 2004, she has performed extensively throughout Europe and worldwide onboard Queen Elizabeth 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2. She has also given a series of recitals onboard Balmoral for the National Trust for Scotland and for Fred Olsen on a tour of the Middle East.

Back in England, Ellen has held the position of resident harpist at Sofitel St. James, Le Méridien Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane and The Churchill, Portman Square. She plays for numerous private functions in prestigious venues around the country and has extensive experience providing suitable music of all styles for any event.

She is a member of the Incorporated Society of Musicians.