"In your hands, the birth of a new day... " (Limahl)

27 November 2011

Yr Hwntws a Carwyn Tywyn

Fy hoff gig mewn 20 mlynedd o ganu'r delyn!
My favourite gig in 20 years of harp performance!

26 November 2011

Eisteddfod 2011: 2ail Wobr // 2nd Prize

Perfformio ar y llwyfan yn Eisteddfod Genedlaethol, Wrecsam, 2011, yng Nghystadleuaeth Tlws Coffa John Weston Thomas. Roedd yn fraint i rhannu'r llwyfan gyda ddau telynor deires arall, sef Steffan Thomas (a ennillodd y Wobr 1af) a Math Roberts.

Performing on stage at the National Eisteddfod, Wrexham, 2011, in the John Weston Thomas Memorial Trophy. It was a priviledge to share the stage with two other young triple harpists, Steffan Thomas (who won 1st Prize), and Math Roberts.

2011: Recordio "Alawon o'r Stryd"



Yn Chwefror 2011, Bu Dan Morris (Ffidil), Imogen O'Rourke (Ffliwt) a minnau yn recordio fy CD gyntaf, "Alawon o'r Stryd", yng Nghanolfan Telyn Llandysul.

In February 2011, Dan Morris (Fiddle), Imogen O'Rourke (Flute) and myself recorded my first CD, "Alawon o'r Stryd", in the Llandysul Harp Centre.

25 November 2011

Bysgio - Carwyn Tywyn a Stephen Rees

Un o'r uchafbwyntiau o 20 mlynedd o bysgio stryd: cyd-fysgio ar hap gyda Stephen Rees (Crasdant, a chyn-aelod Ar Log), yn 2010. Bore Sadwrn hyfryd o Hydref yn Rhydaman, tref mebyd Stephen.

One of the highlights of 20 years of street busking: a chance encounter with Stephen Rees (Crasdant, and formerly Ar Log) - who just happened to be carrying his whistles down the high street! A lovely Autumnal morning in Rhydaman, Stephen's home town.

"RhiannonArt"

Summary: a young Ceredigion artist was commissioned by the South Wales Unitarian District to paint an image of the 13 local Unitarian chapels.

Mae arlunydd ifanc o Geredigion wedi creu delwedd newydd ar gyfer yr Undodiaid yn y "Smotyn Du".

Cafodd Rhiannon Roberts ei gomisynnu gan y Gymdeithas Undodaidd lleol i ddylunio 13 capel y Smotyn du mewn un llun trawiadol. Cafodd y llun ei lawnsio yng Nghapel y Cwm, Cwmsychbant, ar Nos Iau Tachwedd 24, 2011

Yn y llun mae'r Parch. Cen Llwyd, Elaine Davies (Llywydd Cymdeithas De Cymru), Rhiannon Roberts, a'r Parch. Wyn Thomas.

24 November 2011

Ysbryd Chouchen

Rhwng 1997-99, roeddwn yn aelod gwadd o grŵp Ysbryd Chouchen. Cafwyd sawl gig llwyddiannus yn yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol, Gŵyl y Cnapan, yr Eisteddfod Rhyngolegol a Gŵyl y Gwyniad. Dyma'r tro cyntaf i mi recordio hefyd, ar eu CD "La La".

Between 1997-99, I was a guest artist for Ysbryd Chouchen. We had several successful gigs together, including at the National Eisteddfod, the Cnapan and Gwyniad Festivals, and the inter-varsity Eisteddfod. This was also my first recording experience, on their CD "La La".

23 November 2011

Gweithdai a gwersi / Workshops and lessons

Dros y blynyddoedd, rwyf wedi cymryd rhan mewn nifer o weithdai a sesiynnau gwerin. Rwyf hefyd wedi rhoi gwersi yn achlysurol. Rwyf yn agored i helpu gydag unrhyw gweithdy, neu cynnal sesiwn gwerin anffurfiol.

Mae fy arddul gwersi yn anffurfiol iawn. Mae'n nhw'n para tua 1 awr a hanner fel arfer, ac yn cymryd arddull "gweithdy" sydd yn canoli ar anghenion a dymuniadau cerddorol unigol y cerddor. Nid wyf yn (ac nid wyf yn gallu!) defnyddio copiau i ddysgu. Ond, rwyf yn berffaith hapus i gynorthwyo unigolion sydd yn darllen o gopi, yn enwedig os mai datblygu arddull mwy gwerinol / anffurfiol yw'r nod.

Over the years, I have taken part in a number of folk sessions and workshops. I occasionally provide tuition. I am available to help with any workshop, or to help add impetus to an informal folk session.

My teaching method is very informal. My lessons take a "workshop" approach, centering entirely on the individual needs and aspirations of each musician. I do not (and cannot!) use copies for teaching, although I am certainly competent to advise and help people who currently read from copy, particularly if the aim is to try and develop a more informal / folk style of performance.

22 November 2011

Y gig gyntaf! The first gig!

Noson o ganu'r hen glasuron protest Cymraeg ar y gitâr gyda Mair Tomos Ifans yn top y Cwps, Aberystwyth, Ebrill 1991.

An evening of singing the old Welsh protest songs on the guitar with Mair Tomos Ifans in the top of the Cooper's Arms, Aberystwyth, April 1991.



10 November 2011

Ar Daith / On Tour: 2010

GIGS – 2010

01/03/10 Three Rivers Hotel, Glanyfferi

15/05/10 Cyngerdd preifat, Penalun (Sir Benfro)

06/06/10 Eglwys Santes Fair, Porth Tywyn

15/06/10 Holiday Inn, Casnewydd

07/07/10 Prifysgol Abertawe

10/07/10 De Valance, Dinbych y Pysgod

11/08/10 Cyngerdd preifat, Dihewyd, Ceredigion

19/08/10 Cilymaenllwyd, Pwll

??/08/10 Hafan y Coed, Llanelli

??/08/10 Cartref, Henllan

??/08/10 Cilwendeg, Boncath

02/09/10 Plas y Môr, Porth Tywyn

23/09/10 Castell Tywi, Upland Arms

24/09/10 Canolfan Dydd Dyffryn Teifi, Castell Newydd Emlyn

28/09/10 Cartref, Henllan

29/09/10 Cae Maen, Llanelli

04/10/10 Plas y Môr, Porth Tywyn

07/10/10 Gorffwysfa, Bryncoch (Castell-nedd)

15/10/10 Brynmarlais, Arberth

22/10/10 Falcondale, Llanbedr Pont Steffan

26/10/10 Woodfield, Arberth

27/10/10 Plas y Dderwen, Caerfyrddin

27/10/10 Hafod, Castell-nedd

28/10/10 Allt y Mynydd, Llanybydder

29/10/10 Neuadd yr Eglwys, Castell Newydd Emlyn

01/11/10 Brondesbury Lodge, Aberteifi

03/11/10 Y Canolfan Dydd, Castell Newydd Emlyn

07/11/10 Dôl y Felin, San Clêr

07/11/10 Castle View, Llawhaden

08/11/10 Arwelfa, Cymmer (Cwm Afan)

09/11/10 Cae Maen, Llanelli

11/11/10 Taibach Residential Home, Taibach

15/11/10 Cwrt yr Enfys, Ystradgynlais

17/11/10 Neuadd Drymmau, Sgiwen

19/11/10 Perfformiad Stryd, Caerfyrddin

19/11/10 Plas y Môr, Porth Tywyn

22/11/10 Cartref, Henllan

22/11/10 Tremle, Pencader

23/11/10 Y George, Porth Tywyn

29/11/10 Trem y Glyn, Glyn-nedd

30/11/10 Y Capel, Hermon

1/12/10 Hafan y Coed, Llanelli

1/12/10 Williamston House, Houghton (Sir Benfro)

02/12/10 Y Canolfan Dydd, Cae Maen, Llanelli

02/12/10 Dôl y Felin, San Clêr

03/12/10 Mîn yr Afon, Cwmafan

06/12/10 Morfa Afan, Port Talbot

07/12/10 Pencaerau, Castell-nedd

08/12/10 Cae Maen, Llanelli

08/12/10 Mîn yr Afon, Cwmafan

08/12/10 Perfformiad Stryd, Caerfyrddin

09/12/10 Park View, Castell-nedd

10/12/10 Y Clwb Hwylio, Glanyfferi

15/12/10 Woodfield, Arberth

16/12/10 Y Plas, Felinfoel

Yn Ebrill 2010, cefais fy hun yn ol yn bysgio'n llawn-amser ar y strydoedd am y tro cyntaf ers Rhagfyr 2005. Roedd cytundeb gwaith gyda'r Disability Law Service wedi dod i ben, ac roeddwn unwaith eto'n ddibynol ar y delyn, ac yn gwneud ceisiadau swydd. Ym mis Awst, clywais Heather Jones yn siarad ar y radio ynglyn a'i pherfformiadau mewn cartrefi henoed. A minnau'n cael pethau'n anodd gyda'r bysgio, fe es innau ati i lythyru llawer o gartrefi yn ne orllewin Cymru, ac felly dyma cyfres newydd o gynherddau rheolaidd. Ar 23/11/10 cefais fy nhelyn deires, a'i perfformio ar yr un noson yn nhafarn y George, Porth Tywyn.

In April 2010, I found myself busking full-time on the streets for the first time since December 2005. My work contract with the Disability Law Service had come to an end. I was once again dependent on the harp, and trying to file job applications. In August, I heard Heather Jones on the radio talking about her performances in care homes. As I was struggling with the busking, I went about writing to various care homes in south west Wales, and thus started a new series of concerts. On 23/11/10 I was given my triple harp, and I performed it on the same evening at the George pub in Burry Port.

Ar Daith / On Tour: 2008

GIGS – 2008

27/02/08 Sefydliad y Glöwyr, Y Coed Duon

Diolch i Fenter Iaith Caerffili am sicrhau nad oedd 2008 yn cwbl moel o ran gigs! Erbyn hyn roeddwn yn swyddog prosiect llawn amser gyda Cadwch Gymru'n Daclus, ac yn dad!

Thanks to Caerffili Language Enterprise for ensuring that 2008 wasn't wholly devoid of gigs! By now, I was a full-time project officer with Keep Wales Tidy, and a dad!

Ar Daith / On Tour: 2007

GIGS – 2007

25/01/07 Sefydliad y Glöwyr, Y Coed Duon

27/01/07 Ysgol Tryfan, Bangor (Gweithdy CLERA)

14/02/07 King’s Hall Carvery, Aberystwyth

Aeth y delyn mas o'r ffenest eleni! Canolbwyntio'n llwyr ar fy ngwaith gyda Golwg (gan gynnwys Etholiad Cynulliad ym mis Mai), symud ty o Gaerdydd i Borth Tywyn ym mis Awst, a disgwyl ein plentyn cyntaf, Heledd, a ganwyd ar Rhagfyr 6ed.

The harp went out of the window this year! Focused fully on my work with Golwg, including the National Assembly elections in May; Moving house from Cardiff to Burry Port in August, and expecting our first child, Heledd, who was born on December 6th.

Ar Daith / On Tour: 2006

GIGS – 2006

13/01/06 Eglwys St. Paul’s, Poynton

11/02/06 Rhos y Gilwern, Cilgerran

03/03/06 Y Goodrich, Caerffili

23/03/06 Clwb y Bont, Pontypridd

20/04/06 Yr Eglwys Fethodistaidd, Llwynypia

17/06/06 Eglwys Penrice, Gŵyr

15/07/06 Sefydliad y Glöwyr, Y Coed Duon

16/07/06 Gwesty’r Tower, Jersy Marine

29/07/06 Eglwys Undodaidd Prince’s Street, Corc

11/08/06 Eglwys St. Paul, Abertawe

12/08/06 Castell Ffonmon, Bro Morgannwg

19/08/06 Abbey Hotel, Tindyrn

Tawelodd y perfformio wedi i mi gychwyn fy swydd gyda chylchgrawn Golwg. Ond cafwyd un perfformiad cofiadwy ar ddechrau'r flwyddyn, yn angladd fy mamgu ("Nanny") yn Poynton - gofynnwyd i mi ganu'r emyn "Lord of the Dance" yn ystod y gwasanaeth. Er bod hwn yn gwahanol iawn i'm repertoire Cymraeg arferol, dyma un o'r perfformiadau rwyf mwyaf falch ohoni erioed.

The gigs quietened again after I started my job with Golwg magazine. But I had one memorable performance at the start of the year, at my Nanny's funeral in Poynton, Cheshire. I was asked to sing the hymn "Lord of the Dance" during the service. Although this was outside my regular Welsh repertoire, it is one of the performances of which I am most proud.