Màiri Chaimbeul is a harpist and composer from the Isle of Skye, Scotland. A native Gaelic speaker, she is known for her versatile sound, rooted in language and tradition, combined with a distinctive improvising voice and expressive rhythmic approach.
Màiri is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, where she received the American Roots Award and later joined the faculty, teaching harp and Celtic music from 2018-2021. Now based in Canada, she performs internationally in her projects with acclaimed fiddler Jenna Moynihan, the CFMA-winning prog-trad group Aerialists, and as a soloist.
Her work has earned widespread recognition, including a Canadian Folk Music Award, the 2025 Princess Margaret of the Isles Memorial Prize for Scottish harp, and nominations for a JUNO Award (Canada’s Grammys), Eastern Canadian Music Award and Western Canadian Music Award. She is also a two-time recipient of the Club Passim Iguana Grant.
Màiri has collaborated, recorded and performed with a wide range of artists including Darol Anger, Liz Carroll, and Rose Cousins, and has been featured at major festivals including Celtic Connections, Celtic Colours, and Encuentro Internacional Maestros Del Arpa, in Bogota Colombia.
teaching:
Weekly private instruction and ensemble classes at Berklee College of Music 2018-2021
Courses and classes including Acadia Trad School, Bar Harbor ME, Somerset Folk Harp Festival, NJ; Edinburgh International Harp Festival, Scotland; Goderich Celtic College, ON, Canada; Wells International Harp School, BC, Canada; The Gaelic College, Cape Breton; Encuentro Internacional Maestros del Arpa, Bogota, Colombia; Passim School of Music, Boston, MA
awards:
JUNO - Traditional Roots Album of the Year 2026 nomination
Princess Margaret of the Isles Memorial Prize for Scottish harp 2025
Canadian Folk Music Award 2021 - Oliver Schroer Pushing the Boundaries award
Western Canadian Music Awards 2021 - Roots Artist of the Year
JUNO - Instrumental Album Of The Year 2019 nomination
Canadian Folk Music Awards 2018 - best emerging artist nomination
Club Passim Iguana Award 2018 & 2020
Berklee College of Music American Roots Music Award 2015
BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Finalist 2011 & 2012
BBC Radio Scotland Young Jazz Musician Finalist 2011 & 2013
BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award nominee 2010 & 2011
Celtic Connections Danny Kyle winner 2010
