Phoebe Mckernon (Keyboard/Piano and Harp)

Hiya I’m Phoebe, a multi-instrumentalist from North Wales. My main instrument is the harp but I also play the piano, guitar and more recently, drums! I had music lessons in school from age 7 years old and stuck with it ever since. Before this I was put into dance classes as I can’t stop moving once the music is on! I came to Sheffield to study for my BMus music degree and graduated in 2024. After my music degree I completed a PGCE in Early Years and Primary Education and have since been combining my two interests to teach and advocate for music education. My approach to teaching is student centered and I enjoy tailoring my lessons to students’ interests, music tastes and individual learning goals. There’s always a musical game up my sleeve, you’ll get to know my frog guiro called Blobington!

When I’m not teaching I love making music and performing. I really enjoy making and listening to ambient and improvised music, I find it so calming. I make atmospheric soundscapes on my harp using loop and effects pedals. My music has been played on BBC Radio 3 and The Lot Radio in New York. I am currently in various musical projects such as meraki, TYWYN and Emergence Collective and perform regularly in Sheffield and beyond using my electric harp. Being part of the Sheffield music community is fantastic and I enjoy attending jam sessions across the city. I help run Key of She, a music community for women and minoritised gender musicians in Sheffield. Apart from this I’m an avid music collector, you can often find me hunting for CDs and vinyl records in record shops and charity shops!

Favourite song/piece of music - Venus as a Boy by Björk at the moment. There are so many lush versions of the song, I recently discovered a harpsichord version.
Favourite thing to do outside of work - Dance and crafts. I’m currently digging into crochet, knitting and oil pastels.
Favourite food - Pho
Favourite place in Sheffield - Samuel Worth Chapel, it’s such a gorgeous place.
One thing about me that would surprise you to know - I was on a competitive cheerleading team.