Irene Watt
Irene is an accomplished harpist and singer from North East Scotland. She is also a, Composer, Musical Director, and Teacher.
Irene was born in the idyllic fishing village of Gardenstown (known affectionately to locals as "Gamrie").
She has always loved music and went on to study music, literature, and folklore achieving a PhD in Ethnomusicology.
She is a popular teacher of Clarsach and has taught at the Edinburgh International Harp Festival, as well as the USA, the Middle East and in Europe.
She brings her expertise in Scottish music including beautiful slow airs, lilting songs & lullabies, as well as jaunty jigs and dance tunes.
However, Irene has an eclectic taste in music and has also jazz, swing, pop and classics in her repertoire.
Her relaxed and fun approach encourages learners to progress their playing and she always offers options to cover different levels of confidence and playing ability.
So, expect a fun class where you will learn a lot and with the odd surprise or two.
If you are not in Aberdeen then Irene offers Online Classes so no matter where you are in the world, you can learn with Irene.
Family Crest
"I'm immensely proud of my family crest. During my PhD studies at university one of my fellow colleagues was an expert in Scottish Heraldry.
He encouraged me to become an armiger and adopt and develop the Watt family crest.
I took my ideas to an amazing Heraldry artist, Anthony Maxwell, who sadly is no longer with us, but he poduced a wonderful crest for me.
The mermaid symbolises a "daughter of the sea" and the oak tree represents the "Watt" family, which goes back several hundred years in Scottish heraldry.
My motto: "Smaa Buik Gweed Gear" translates as "Small in stature but made of good stuff"
The Scottish Samurai Awards
Irene has been honoured with the award of Scottish Samurai Taisho for her work in the Arts and Music and for strengthening the links between Scotland and Japan.
Irene visited Japan in 2019 lecturing at Universities and bringing Scottish music into Japanese schools.
Award in Recognition of Charity Work
Irene was recognised by the Confraternity of the Knights of the Most Holy Trinity for her Charity Work.
Over the years she has helped raise thousands of pounds for charities such as Grampian Child Bereavement Trust, Archway Charity, Alzheimer Scotland, Grampian Young People's Counselling Service, VSA Mental Health, Little Schoolie - Gamrie to name a few.
This year she is championing the children's charity Charlie House to help raise funds for a centre in Aberdeen for terminally ill children.
Awarded Burgess of Guild - Aberdeen
Irene was nominated for Burgess of Guild by Ronnie Watt OBE and received this prestigious award in June 2023.
Here she is presented with her official certificate by the Lord Dean of Guild.
Irene Watt Music
"Inspired by Scotland's Natural Beauty and My Heritage"