ELIZABETH Jane Baldry ? one of Britain?s leading young harpists ? brings her delightful playing to the Wharf, Tavistock on January 18.

Playing a golden concert harp, she has carved a reputation with a large repertoire that ranges from medieval dances and English folk song arrangements to French impressionism, classics, jazz ? and even the Beatles.

Elizabeth Jane, who lives in Chagford, was born in Hampshire and from her earliest years begged her parents to let her play the harp.

She finally began at the age of 14 with the dynamic Ann Hughes-Chamberlain at the Hindhead School of Music.

Later she read music at Exeter University, travelling to the Royal College of Music in London for lessons with Fiona Hibbert, another inspiring teacher.

She has been a full-time professional harpist since 1994, supporting herself and her two young sons by giving almost 100 performances a year nationwide on the concert platform as well as regular television and radio appearances, including Breakfast TV and The Afternoon Shift.

Elizabeth Jane has released a successful solo CD of Victorian fairy harp music, and has taken part in a CD of chamber music by the composer Paul Lewis. This latter achieved worldwide distribution with Koch International.

In August 1998 she recorded a solo library disc for Studio G. Music from this recording has been used by ITV, the BBC and in Japan.

In 1998 she was the soloist in the premiere of Lewis?s ?Devonshire Dances? for harp and orchestra with the South West Sinfonietta.

She also took part in the much publicised exhibition of Victorian Fairy Paintings at the Royal Academy of Arts, including appearing on stage with actor Simon Callow at the Criterion Theatre Piccadilly in a show for which she also composed the songs.

In February last year the BBC twice broadcast a half-hour Radio 4 documentary on her rediscovery of Victorian fairy harp music, creating widespread interest. In May she was involved in the filming of a Canadian TV documentary.

Other highlights for last year included an open-air gala performance of ?Devonshire Dances?, an appearance at St John?s Smith Square, London, recording the soundtrack for 13 episodes of ITV?s children?s series, Bernard?s Watch, and an extensive West Country recital tour.

Elizabeth Jane divides her time between the seaside at Brighton and her cottage in the Dartmoor National Park. Her two sons are choristers at Westminster Cathedral and St Paul?s Cathedral in London.