Internationally renowned harpist, musician, arranger and composer Catrin Finch is one of the most accomplished harpists of her generation and has been delighting audiences all around the globe, bringing the beautiful sound of the harp to the forefront, popularising its sound to the wider audience. She was the Official Harpist to the Prince of Wales from 2000 to 2004 and is now visiting Professor at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff and the Royal Academy of Music in London.
I was born in Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth in 1980 and spent the first sixteen years of my life living in Lianon with regular visits to the surrounding towns, including, of course, Aberaeron. Llanon at that time was quite a self-sufficient little village; my primary school was there and Aberaeron was an exciting bus ride away for special trips out. It was less traffic on the main road and a trip to Aberaeron meant something really special, especially as it usually included a honey ice cream!
At the age of five, my world changed after being taken to a harp concert being given by the Spanish harpist Marisa Robles in Lampeter and nothing could have deterred me from following my musical dreams after that. My mother and I spent many hours travelling to performances and lessons for the next eight years and my musical world expanded.
The move to Ysgol Gyfun Aberaeron was another huge change in my life, although it was easy as all my school friends (the whole of my year in Ysgol Llanon), moved with me; my brother and sister were also already there. The school bus would collect us from outside our front gate and deliver us to the school at the top of the hill in Aberaeron, a lovely position. I didn't appreciate the amazing view then, and as you come over the top and can sometimes see all the way to North Wales and the Llyn Peninsula .... now my most favourite view in the world! I can remember the walks down into the town in the lunch break, which was always easy walking down the hill, but not so great walking back up to lessons! I enjoyed school and, as it had a swimming pool, I became a keen swimmer and member of the swimming club. However, music was always my passion and my life. The school was so supportive of my musical ambitions and allowed a half day free every two weeks to attend harp lessons in Caernarfon.
My life changed dramatically when I moved to London at the age of 16 to further my musical studies. I was terribly homesick for a while and I travelled home whenever I could. Now my base is elsewhere, but my heart is still in Llanon and Aberaeron. My family now come 'home' when we can for walks along the harbour and I love to go crabbing with my children, which has become an annual family tradition which we all enjoy. A honey ice-cream is always a must and recently I have introduced friends to the area and we love to camp in Aberaeron.
It has been delightful to see the town flourish over the years and become such a popular seaside town, with so many lovely shops and good bars and restaurants. I love the fact that my children feel a connection with the area now too, having made friends with some of my old school friends' children still living in the area. Many a good time has been had at Carnival weekends which is always a great opportunity to catch up with family, old friends and colleagues. My mother and stepfather are still in the family home in Llanon and are involved in the local choir and other activities. Walking through Aberaeron, I now often meet people from my past. I have recently been appointed Musical Director for the annual Aberystwyth Music Fest every July, so my connections to this area and Ceredigion are still very much alive.