About
Ellen Gibling is a harpist based in K’jipuktuk/Halifax, Nova Scotia. She holds a BMus in classical harp performance from McGill University, and an MA in Irish traditional music performance from the University of Limerick.
Her recent solo harp album The Bend in the Light (2022) has been described as “bold and beautiful” (Celtic Life International) and “enchanting” (Folk London). The album garnered Ellen a nomination for the Canadian Folk Music Awards’ Instrumental Solo Artist of theYear, as well as for Music Nova Scotia's Traditional/Roots Album of the Year.
As a classical harpist, Ellen has played with Symphony Nova Scotia and has toured with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada. She has premiered new Canadian chamber and orchestral works, including Jeff Reilly's harp concerto “Unfathomable Presence” with Symphony Nova Scotia in January 2024.
Ellen is active as an improviser, ensemble musician, and composer. She has toured coast to coast with New Hermitage, an ambient improvising quintet of harp, cello, saxophone, percussion, and electric guitar. Ellen also performs with folk duo The Bombadils, flutist Charlie Wilson, fiddler Adrianna Ciccone, eight-piece minimalist ensemble Many Worlds, folk trio Swift Return, Scions, flutist Jack Chen, and orchestral pop ensemble The Heavy Blinkers.
Recently, she co-composed music for Rock Bottom Movement’s dance and circus production “The Lizard of Pause”, as well as co-composing music for an upcoming play by Mary Fay Coady.
Ellen has taught at the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts, Acadia University, the University of Limerick, the Canadian International Summer Harp Institute, and the Huron Harp Festival.
Photo: Jamie Kronick
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Ellen gratefully acknowledges the support of the following organizations:
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