The Royal Academy of Music (RAM) in London has appointed Catrin Finch as its Head of Harp, beginning in the 2022–2023 academic year. We reached out to Finch to find out more about her recent appointment.
What are your goals as a teacher and department head at RAM?
My ultimate goal is to prepare the students for their futures and for life as a musician and harpist. They will need to be fearless, open, and ready and prepared to take on any challenge that is presented to them. After Covid and all the social and practical problems that the worldwide pandemic brought with it, there is some rebuilding to be done. I will attempt to re-address discipline and focus, through encouragement and by showing them that there is a bright future ahead, if they work hard, embrace diversity, and grasp any opportunities they are given.
How would you describe your teaching approach?
I see being a teacher as being a guide. Through sharing experience, knowledge and ideas, teachers can pass on information and help show the way. But it’s the students who need to decide what they do with that information and how they use it. I would never insist on a certain way of playing something, or a certain style of playing. I will share all my ideas, and encourage a student to adapt a technique or style that I chose, but also encourage them to style it to their way of playing. After all, if we all did the same thing, life would be quite boring, wouldn’t it?
What specialized skills or interests do you bring to the position at RAM?
I am an international performer and musician, and I have famously embraced different genres and types of music over the last decade. I can teach diversity, and I can show students how to adapt in an ever-changing music industry. I can help open their minds to all genres of music, while making sure the fundamentals of playing the harp and performance skills are in place.
What do you see as the strengths of RAM’s academic program?
The Royal Academy is one of the world’s leading music institutions, and being a student there is one of the most amazing experiences a young musician could ever have. Just being surrounded by other incredibly talented young musicians is encouraging and inspiring. RAM’s academic program offers a comprehensive wealth of music education—from solo performance skills to chamber music and orchestral playing, and from music history to jazz and media. The harp department mirrors this by offering the chance to experience many different aspects of musical training, and to find a path into a career in the music world.
Do you have any other thoughts to share about your appointment?
I am delighted to have been appointed to this role, and I look forward to welcoming young harpists to the Academy for many years to come.
Read our feature interview with Finch in the March/April 2020 issue of Harp Column. Also check out our Q&A with Finch discussing her recent book Harp Academy, intended for strengthening the technique of harpists of all ages.
