Recently crowned ‘Musician of the Year’ at the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards 2024, Ciorstaidh Beaton is known for her rich sound, innovative arrangements and fearlessly driven style of harping.
She is a highly sought after pedal harpist, clàrsach player, educator, collaborator and Gàidhlig speaker from the Isle of Skye, now based in Glasgow.
Earlier this year Ciorstaidh was chosen to compose new music as a ‘New Voices’ commission by Celtic Connections, which was also selected to be filmed for BBC Alba’s “Seirm”.
Ciorstaidh’s debut album is set to be released later this year. An album of her own music which is deeply rooted in her Gàidhlig heritage, and passionately addresses modern day hurdles facing both rural and urban communities, spoken honestly from a woman’s perspective.
Ciorstaidh is currently lecturer in clàrsach and Traditional music at the Junior Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and at the Music School of Douglas Academy.
Recent collaborations include recording her own music for NASA’s “H.A.R.P Project” featured on NASA’s podcast ‘Curious Universe’, and recording a brand new piece by BAFTA-Nominated Scottish composer Fraser Purdie as a soloist on clàrsach with the Heritage Orchestra for the 2024 re-branding of the National Grid.
Since Graduating ten years ago from the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, she has built a multi-genre freelance portfolio that uniquely shapes her as one of Scotland’s leading in-demand artists.