Mared becomes the seventh official harpist to His Majesty since he re-created the role in 2000 as Prince of Wales. Between 2000 and 2004, the post was first held by the Academy's Head of Harp, Catrin Finch.
Mared graduated from the Academy with a Master's degree in 2022, having studied under Karen Vaughan. Whilst at the Academy, she co-founded the charity Music in Hospices with fellow student Joseph Cavalli Price, which has recently been selected as one of the top 20 Social Enterprises in the 2024 Deutsche Bank Award for Creative Entrepreneurship. After graduating, Mared was an Open Academy Fellow from September 2022 to July 2023, participating in projects at Great Ormond Street Hospital, Wigmore Hall and the Royal Albert Hall. She is currently a freelance musician based in London and works with the Music for Life programme at Wigmore Hall.
‘When I first asked for harp lessons at six years old it never crossed my mind that I would become the King’s Harpist. Receiving this role is a great honour and a great responsibility.’
Mared Pugh-Evans
Mared's first performance in her new position as King’s Harpist will be in Cardiff on 11 July, when Their Majesties The King and Queen visit the Senedd to mark 25 years of devolution.
The Academy would like to congratulate Mared on this brilliant achievement.