Rachel Groves
Rachel Groves is a lever harpist and composer from Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Rooted in Scottish traditional music, she draws on influences from jazz, classical and global folk music styles as vehicles to explore the rich textural and rhythmic possibilities of the instrument. A graduate of Berklee College of Music (Valencia) and the University of Edinburgh, she is curious about the harp’s role as a contemporary voice in collaborative and intercultural contexts.
She received the award for best original composition from Maeve Gilchrist at the Princess Margaret of the Isles Memorial Prize for Senior Clarsach, and the Iain McLeod Young Composer’s Award from the Edinburgh International Harp Festival.
Alongside her work as a harpist and composer, Rachel’s freelance career includes leading the Scolty Harp Ensemble in North East Scotland and teaching both privately and with organisations such as Scottish Culture & Traditions.
Rachel joined LMNS in 2025, and is looking forward to connecting with new audiences and communities through the scheme.
“It’s rare to find such engaging composition paired with such effortless joy of playing and Rachel has both in spades.” Maeve Gilchrist, Scottish lever harpist
“A very gifted musician and performer [with] a spark that only a few people have.” Olga Roman, faculty director at Berklee College of Music, Valencia
What They Play
Paddy Fahy’s / Da Scalloway Lasses – Scottish/Irish reels
Mr Ballentine’s – Scottish jig
Hector the Hero – air by James Scott Skinner
Tha Fonn Gun Bhi Trom – trad. Gaelic waulking song
The Moon Shined on my Bed Last Night – trad. song from North East Scotland
Isn’t She Lovely – Stevie Wonder
Can’t Help Falling in Love with You – Elvis Presley
Fly Me to the Moon – standard, Bart Howard
Nature Boy – standard, Eden Ahbez
Wild Geese – original composition
Dr Neil’s – original composition