Harp Divas - The Voice of the Harp

When Meinir Ann Thomas and Karen Hickmott met in February 2007 they had no idea what the year ahead would hold in store for them.

Meinir, a Welsh speaking soprano from Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan arrived in Sydney from the UK in December 2007 with her Australian husband, Andrew. She was delighted to discover the Sydney Welsh Society and was soon invited by Siôn Llwyd to perform at the Cantorion Sydney St. David's Day concert and the Society St. David's Day dinner. Siôn suggested that he should "hook you up with a harpist" and introduced Meinir to the harpist Karen Hickmott who had worked with Siôn and Cantorion Sydney in December 2006.

The pair soon realised that they worked well together and Meinir suggested that they work on some wedding repertoire. After months of preparation Harp Divas (or Divas Y Delyn) was born and they are now busy performing recitals, performing at weddings and providing background music at functions and in hotels.

It's almost as if the partnership was meant to be. Both girls have the same maiden name - Thomas, and both of their fathers are from Port Talbot! They even both grew up playing the harp (although Meinir admits that she is very rusty by now having given up 20 years ago, a decision she regrets to this day).

Meet the Divas - Meinir Ann Thomas

Born in Wales, Meinir has enjoyed a varied career. She spent 5 years singing in the world renowned a cappella group, 'The Swingle Singers'. During that time she performed at many of the world's greatest opera houses, concert halls, theatres and jazz clubs.
Meinir worked as a freelance singer in London, singing in the West End, working as a session singer and as a singing teacher at Stagecoach Theatre Arts. She has appeared in touring shows in the UK and South Africa and has performed on board cruise liners.
Meinir performs regularly as guest soloist for the Sydney Welsh Choir. She has also sung with Cantillation at the Sydney Opera House and sings at weddings and funerals.

	Karen Hickmott
	Born in Scotland with a Welsh father, Karen is a well-known harpist in Sydney. After an early career in the finance industry, motherhood has meant a refocus on her musical background and she is much in demand for weddings and other functions through 'Wedded to the Harp'.
	Karen is a classically trained harpist and singer. She is an experienced performer and has played in many orchestras, hotels, private functions and weddings over the last twenty years. She has been an active member of the Harp Society of NSW since its inception in 1988, teaches harp and regularly adjudicates for the Sydney Harp Eisteddfod.

'The Voice of the Harp'
The Divas can be seen performing their recital programme, aptly named "The Voice of the Harp" at the following venues:

More recitals will follow in the new year.

Harp Divas plan to record a CD in the new year which will consist of pieces chosen to compliment the combination of voice and harp and will feature Welsh songs as well as a variety of classical music, songs from the stage and screen and jazz.

They will also be performing at the Cantorion Sydney St. David's Day concert on 27th February 2008 and at the Welsh Society Dinner on 29th February 2008.

Check out their website - www.harpdivas.com and keep an eye out for their new website which will be launched very soon!