Pippa Reid-Foster Harpist
Pippa Reid-Foster is a composer and harpist from the West Coast of Scotland whose work explores contemporary sound worlds through both pedal and lever harps. Performing as a soloist across the UK, her music combines minimalist influences with elements drawn from Scottish traditional music, creating immersive and atmospheric performances that reimagine the harp in a modern context.
pippa reid-foster
Her most recent release, Undercurrents, is a solo harp album centred on themes of resilience and recovery, featuring original compositions alongside music by Philip Glass, Max Richter and Alexandra Hamilton-Ayres, performed on both pedal and lever harp. Following a successful UK tour in support of the album, Pippa continues to tour extensively with recital programmes that blend contemporary classical music, storytelling and ambient soundscapes.
Pippa graduated with an MMus from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, specialising in composition and performance. Her debut album, Driftwood Harp, retained strong references to her Scottish roots while introducing the minimalist textures that have since become central to her writing. Her composition Murmurations was premiered as part of the Distil Showcase Concerts, where she performed alongside the acclaimed ensemble McFall’s Chamber. She was later commissioned to compose for Issie Barratt’s Interchange, a ten-piece all-female contemporary jazz ensemble.
Collaboration and experimentation remain at the heart of Pippa’s practice. Her recent work with Finnish kantele player Eva Alkula has explored new possibilities for two traditional instruments from different cultures, developing an evolving body of contemporary repertoire for harp and kantele.
In summer 2024, Pippa took part in the North Atlantic Islands Residency aboard the 75-foot fishing smack Excelsior, travelling to the Faroe Islands for three weeks. Inspired by the landscape and experience of the voyage, she has since composed a new suite for solo harp, with plans to further develop the work for large-scale ensemble.
Alongside her concert work, Pippa regularly performs at weddings, corporate events, private parties and receptions across the UK. With a vast repertoire of popular acoustic music spanning contemporary songs, film music, folk melodies and timeless classics, she creates elegant and memorable live performances tailored to each occasion. Whether providing atmospheric background music or a featured performance, Pippa brings warmth, professionalism and versatility to every event.
Pippa is currently working on a new EP, due for release in 2027, featuring new original works alongside music by neo-classical artists including Philip Glass, Meredith Monk, Nils Frahm and Erland Cooper. Continuing her exploration of atmosphere, minimalism and contemporary harp performance, the project further develops her distinctive voice within the modern classical landscape.
