Harp Spotlight - Perth Harpists Renee Ng and Kira Gunn
The Harp
The Harp is a truly global stringed instrument with ancient origins. The unparalleled beauty of the harp has always made it a perennial favourite at weddings, but in this day and age is appears to be undergoing a “full-on” 21st Century Renaissance – of not only the classical harp, but also harpsicles, electric harps, and quality children’s instruments.
In the MetSO’s Spring Concert the orchestration of Berlioz’s masterwork Symphony Fantastique calls for 2 Harp soloists in his second movement “A ball” – a grand waltz. The ethereal voices of the harps blend with the orchestral dance, providing the glamour and sensual richness of the ball, and also symbolise the object of the young composer's affection.
For Berlioz’s glorious ball scene, MetSO is joined by two very talented rising stars of the Perth Harp scene - Renee Ng and Kira Gunn. Berlioz wrote extensively in his memoirs of his trials and tribulations in having this symphony performed, due to a lack of capable harpists and harps - here in Perth we have no such problem - the wonderful Renee and Kira are not only excellent experienced performers, but are also Harp teachers.
Read more about our accomplished harp soloists - Renee and Kira :
Perth Harpists Renee Ng and Kira Gunn (Photo : Lisa Walker)
Renee Ng
Perth Harpist & Harp Teacher
Renee Weng-Lam Ng
Renee is a graduate from Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney where she received her Bachelor of Music Performance degree. She also holds an ATCL diploma from TCL in piano performance and Licentiate Diploma in harp performance from AMEB.
Renee started playing piano when she was four years old and started playing the harp when she was fifteen. She was the highest scorer of the ABRSM harp exam in Macau in 2012. She was the recipient of the music scholarship from University of Queensland Foundation Year Program in 2014.
In 2016, Renee started her tertiary study majoring in harp performance with Ms Louise Johnson. During her studies, she was the guest harpist of many orchestras that includes North Shore Wind Symphony, Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra, Sydney University Wind Orchestra etc.
She was the recipient of many awards including the Gold Medal of Hong Kong Music Competition and First Prize of Sydney Harp Eisteddfods.
Perth Harpist Renee Ng’s studio mascot Benji
Renee’s MetSO Interview
Favourite 3 composers of all time?
Tchaikovsky, Carlos Salzedo, Parish Alvars
Favourite scale?
A flat Major - full of feeling, and replete with dreamy expressions.
Do you play other instruments?
Piano was my first instrument. I also played the cello and percussion in high school.
How do you like to prepare for a concert?
Make sure you eat before you play. I always like to have a cup of hot chocolate before I play - it gives you the energy to help you focus.
Try to play through the pieces / the part without warming up a few days before the performance and get used to that feeling.
Describe your teaching style?
Very supportive and interactive. Can help maintain a student’s motivational energy over time. I like to encourage students to ask questions and think outside the box.
What do you enjoy most about working with students
Inspiring them in musical ways. It is wonderful to watch them grow, and start to appreciate the beauty of music. I often get inspired by students’ enthusiasm and creativity during lessons.
Best practice tip?
Just do it! Take it slow. Slow is the magic.
Set a clear goal for everyday’s practice
What is the oddest thing we would find in your instrument case?
I carry a big bag containing an entire set of spare strings, along with 2 harp picks, a tuning key and a roll of surgical tape.
What music most inspires you?
Ethereal serenades. Something beautiful and gentle - e.g. Parish Alvar’s Serenade.
What makes you the happiest in your musical life?
Music helps me to bond with my family. Whenever I play music with them- even just jamming something nonsense I feel a deeper emotional connection shared among us.
What is your most memorable stage experience?
I was very lucky to be selected to be the recipient of Harp Holiday Scholarship in 2019 that was held at Blackheath near the beautiful Blue Mountains. We got to play in an ensemble that consisted of over 25 harps on stage.
What is your favourite thing about Perth?
Plenty of parking spaces.
Kira Gunn
Perth Harpist & Harp Teacher
Kira Gunn is a versatile free-lance harpist with broad industry experience across the Perth music scene. She has a passion for growing as a musician and has developed a wide range of skills to fit multiple musical contexts.
Kira has performed extensively across Perth's classical music scene with groups including the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, WA Youth Orchestra, West Coast Philharmonic Orchestra, WAAPA Symphony and UWA Symphony Orchestras, West Coast Philharmonic Chorus, and the WA Wind Symphony. She has worked professionally as an accompanist and orchestral harpist for UWA, and was employed by the WA Academy of Performing Arts in their 2018 musical production: Sunday in the Park With George. Kira looks forward to playing in the WA Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty with the Perth Symphony Orchestra at the end of this year.
Kira is in her second year of a bachelor's degree in classical performance at the WA Academy of Performing Arts. In her time at WAAPA, Kira has collaborated and performed with students from the contemporary, jazz, singer-songwriter, composition, acting and performance making courses.
In Perth’s 2021 Fringe Festival, Kira played the duo show Reunited: A Night of Iranian Folk Music with nae (Iranian flute) and daf (Iranian drum) expert, Esfandiar Shahmir. They will perform again in Fringe Fest 2022 with the addition of double bassist Kate Pass, and percussionist Steve Richter.
Kira is currently recording an album of original songs as a Special Topics project, and recently performed a world premier showcase of her song Fairy Lullaby at WAAPA’s Chamber Music Spectacular shows.
Kira believes in the power music has to heal and bless others and has done extensive community work including playing at nursing homes, fundraising events, festivals, markets and numerous church events and services. She also has substantial experience playing at weddings, private and corporate events, funerals, school performances, children's story-telling shows and more, a testament to her flexibility and adaptability as a musician.
Kira’s MetSO Interview
What instrument(s) do you play?
Hmmm I suppose it depends on how you would define “play.” The harp is my primary instrument (and my true love) and is what I most commonly perform on. This is the instrument I am most confident playing, but I also dabble in piano, guitar and voice.
Why do you play the harp?
I love people and I love music! Through playing the harp I’ve been able to play music in lots of exciting and unusual contexts, and to interact with all kinds of people. I love meeting new friends and music creates such a unique connection between those who may never have even met in person. It really is a universal language, and I feel privileged to be able to speak it.
How have you arrived at where you are today?
Wow this is a good one. I absolutely would be nowhere near where I am today without the constant support and encouragement of my parents, my grandma (Nene), all my amazing teachers, and so many others I don’t have space to list here. These beautiful people pushed me to practice, perform and expand my skillset, because they helped me really love what I do.
Best practice tip?
Ok I’m sorry, but I’ve got three I simply must share :
1) Practice every day and get a routine going.
2) Use a metronome – a lot – always starting reaaaaally slow and incrementally work your way up to speed.
3) Plan out exactly what you want to accomplish in every practice session and assign time slots to each task. Put a bit of pressure on yourself to stay focused!
What is your best tip for young players?
Just stick at it and keep practicing. Find out what or who inspires you and fill your brain with as much inspiration as possible!
What music most inspires you?
I personally connect with beautiful, truthful lyrics (in general) more than I do with instrumental music. One of my favourite musicians is Rich Mullins. Listening to his songs always inspires me to go and write music! I also really love the album The Ways and Means by Sarah Sparks. She also inspires me to write.
Describe yourself in 3 words.
Passionate, peaceful, blessed.
What is your most memorable stage experience?
For sure the West Coast Philharmonic Orchestra’s (then the WA Charity Orchestra) 10th Anniversary concert, Celebration. It was in the Perth Concert Hall with a 92-piece orchestra (including 3 harps), and a chorus 116 strong. I remember being a little nervous to play the solo piano line from Bohemian Rhapsody in front of a sold-out concert hall, but it all went smoothly and was the most exhilarating performance I can remember. I recall that one of the choir members got whiplash from headbanging too hard, and someone else headbanged their glasses onto the stage from the choir stalls!
If you could only take one recording to a desert island, what would it be?
…. Could I take an instrument instead? Ah well if I had to choose it would be It Is Well With My Soul as sung by Daniel Martin Moore.