Meinir Heulyn is one of Wales' most proficient and versatile harpists, equally at home on the international concert platform as contributing to the musical scene in Wales. She was brought up in Ceredigion before graduating from University College, Cardiff, where her harp teacher was Ann Griffiths. She furthered her studies at the Conservatorio di Musica, Genova with Gianuzzi, a pupil of Maria Grossi.
After a year as Principal Harpist for the BBC Training Orchestra, Meinir was appointed Principal Harpist for the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera, a position she enjoyed for thirty years, performing internationally and recording extensively with world renowned artists.
Meinir is recognized as one of Wales' foremost harp teachers and was Head of the Harp Department at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama for twelve years until 2011. Her involvement in teaching is based on her passionate aim to raise the standard of harp playing. With this in mind, in 2015 she founded the Cardigan Castle Harp Club, where young harpists from West Wales meet every fortnight to be tutored and perform. She is also co-founder of Telynau Morgannwg (The Glamorgan Harp Guild) and Coleg Telyn Cymru (The Welsh Harp College) who have held regular harp courses in Wales.
Inspired by her work with young harpists she began arranging music for her students, and is well-known in the harp world as a prolific arranger and editor, her works appearing on the syllabi of the ABRSM and Trinity examining bodies. In 1988, with her husband Brian Raby, she established Alaw Music Publishing, currently with a widely varied catalogue of over 150 titles. She herself has produced over fifty publications for harp, many being editions of Welsh traditional music, and are proving to be an invaluable addition to any harpist's library, making Welsh culture truly international.
Brian Raby studied with Denis Wick and was principal trombone with the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera for over twenty years and Musical Director of the Welsh Brass Consort. From 1994 until 2006 he was a member of the trombone section of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, playing on countless recordings and films, including The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Brian left the LPO in 2006 to concentrate on freelancing, teaching, writing, publishing and cycling. As a freelancer he has worked extensively with the London Symphony Orchestra and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, as well as with the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden playing the bass trumpet in numerous cycles of Wagner’s Ring as well as other operas.
Brian Raby has coached at numerous youth courses, including the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, the National Wind Orchestra of Wales as well as the National Youth Orchestra of Wales. He is a prolific arranger for brass and his work has received the highest critical acclaim.