Alaw was co-founded by Meinir Heulyn and Brian Raby in 1988.
Meinir Heulyn is one of Wales' most versatile harpists. Having been principal harp with the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera for thirty years, she is currently co-ordinator of the harp department and professor at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff, and is recognised as one of Wales' most experienced harp teachers. She is one of Britain's foremost professional harpists as well as a leading authority on folk music and its traditions. Meinir is a co-founder of Telynau Morgannwg (The Glamorgan Harp Guild) and Coleg Telyn Cymru (The Welsh Harp College), where she helps organize harp courses attracting teachers and students from around the world. Inspired by her work with young people, Meinir Heulyn has published several volumes of music for the harp, taking Welsh music all over the world. Meinir is a director of Alaw.
Brian Raby studied with Denis Wick, was principal trombone with the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera for over twenty years and was Musical Director of the Welsh Brass Consort. Until 2006 he was co-principal trombone with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, leaving to concentrate on freelancing, solo trombone playing, teaching, writing, publishing and cycling. Brian has coached at numerous youth orchestra courses, including the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, the National Youth Orchestra of Wales, the Wiltshire Youth Orchestra and the National Youth Brass Band of Wales. He is a prolific arranger for brass and his work has received the highest critical acclaim. Brian is heavily involved in the typesetting, production and internet side of the business and is a director of Alaw.
Meinir Heulyn is one of Wales' most versatile harpists. Having been principal harp with the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera for thirty years, she is currently co-ordinator of the harp department and professor at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff, and is recognised as one of Wales' most experienced harp teachers. She is one of Britain's foremost professional harpists as well as a leading authority on folk music and its traditions. Meinir is a co-founder of Telynau Morgannwg (The Glamorgan Harp Guild) and Coleg Telyn Cymru (The Welsh Harp College), where she helps organize harp courses attracting teachers and students from around the world. Inspired by her work with young people, Meinir Heulyn has published several volumes of music for the harp, taking Welsh music all over the world. Meinir is a director of Alaw.
Brian Raby studied with Denis Wick, was principal trombone with the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera for over twenty years and was Musical Director of the Welsh Brass Consort. Until 2006 he was co-principal trombone with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, leaving to concentrate on freelancing, solo trombone playing, teaching, writing, publishing and cycling. Brian has coached at numerous youth orchestra courses, including the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, the National Youth Orchestra of Wales, the Wiltshire Youth Orchestra and the National Youth Brass Band of Wales. He is a prolific arranger for brass and his work has received the highest critical acclaim. Brian is heavily involved in the typesetting, production and internet side of the business and is a director of Alaw.