Bio
Arwen grew up with Welsh folk music around her, and its tunes, stories and sense of place continue to shape her playing. Alongside these roots, she has developed a wider approach to the harp, exploring its possibilities beyond its more familiar sound.
Classically trained, Arwen brings a solid technical grounding to her playing, while taking inspiration from the layered rhythms and percussive style of South American harp music. She combines dynamic bass patterns with contemporary and folk influenced melodies. The result is a distinctive crossover sound: percussive, driving bass-lines meet lyrical, evocative melodies, creating music that surprises audiences with its energy and emotional range.
Arwen’s repertoire includes original compositions, reimagined folk tunes, and contemporary works that highlight the harp’s versatility as both a rhythmic and melodic instrument. Her performances are known for their variety, energy and strong sense of musical storytelling, inviting listeners into a world where ancient Welsh stories and modern musical languages coexist.
A Harp Legacy
The harp has been part of her family story for generations. She is the 4x great-granddaughter of Aladdin Gibbs (1851–1931), a Romany harpist from Merthyr Tydfil known as Ladin y Telynwr - “Aladdin the harpist”.
The family’s musical legacy continued through Aladdin’s son, Aladdin Gibbs junior, and grandson Reginald Gibbs, who went on to become a professional harpist performing with leading British orchestras. Today, she continues this musical legacy, developing her own sound while staying connected to the rich traditions that have shaped her musical heritage. See Harp Heritage for more.
Performances
Arwen’s recent performances include Festival Interceltique de Lorient in France as well as a support slot with the long-established Welsh traditional folk band, Carreg Lafar.
Between 2025 and 2026, Arwen performed live harp for South Wales audiences at screenings of the touring film The Coal Beneath Our Feet, The Wind Above Our Head. As one of the young people featured in the film, she was also filmed playing the harp, with some of her playing incorporated into the soundtrack.
Arwen performed at the The Right to Food Commission UK - Wales Community Assembly at St Elvan’s Church, Aberdare in March 2026.
In September 2025, she took part in the inaugural Gwyl Heddwch (Festival of Peace) at St Elvan’s Church, Aberdare.
Arwen has also performed at the Eisteddfod Genedlaethol (National Eisteddfod) in 2024, Tafwyl in 2023, and the World Harp Congress in 2022.
Arwen is committed to expanding the harp’s presence in contemporary music through collaborations, commissions, and educational outreach across Wales and beyond.
