The Louisville Orchestra has appointed Grace Roepke principal harpist, following the retirement of former principal harpist Mary Julian Rapier. The auditions took place in four rounds, held January 8–9. Roepke will begin performing with the orchestra in July.
Roepke says she is thrilled to join the Louisville Orchestra. “The Louisville Orchestra has a rich history of contemporary music and community engagement, and I feel so fortunate to be joining an organization that believes in the importance of these as much as I do,” she says. “My first official concerts with the orchestra will be a part of their ‘In Harmony’ tour, a two-year musical journey that will bring orchestra musicians to dozens of communities across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. I can’t think of a better way to start this next chapter in Louisville!”
Roepke is the first harpist to be awarded the grand prize at the Minnesota Orchestra’s concerto competition, sponsored by the FRIENDS of the Minnesota Orchestra Young Artist Competition. She will perform this June as a soloist with the Minnesota Orchestra under the baton of guest conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya. Roepke won third prize at the 2021 Dutch World Harp Competition. She presented the live premiere of Time Lapse by Patrick Harlin as part of Yolanda Kondonassis’ FIVE MINUTES for Earth project.
Learn more about Roepke on her website.
