Following auditions held in July 2024, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra has appointed Sophie Baird-Daniel principal harp, after the retirement of Julia Rovinsky. Baird-Daniel began her new role with the orchestra in October 2024. “It’s such an honor to join a storied orchestra like the Israel Philharmonic,” she says. “Since beginning in October, I’ve already had two international tours and there has been harp on almost every program!”
Baird-Daniel says she also appreciates her colleagues in the orchestra. “The level of musicianship is challenging and inspiring—I feel like I’m growing so much as an orchestral player. Moving to another country (especially during a war) is incredibly daunting but my colleagues have been so supportive.”
In addition to her appointment with the Israel Philharmonic, Baird-Daniel has also been appointed to the faculty of the Buchmann Mehta School at Tel Aviv University. “I’m so excited to work with the next generation of harpists, [and] the school has amazing scholarships and opportunities for international students,” she says.
Baird-Daniel has been a guest principal harp with the Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera, San Francisco Ballet, Houston Symphony, and the Minnesota Orchestra. She was a participant in the 2018 International Harp Contest in Israel, a quarterfinalist in the 2016 Dutch World Harp Competition, and the silver medalist at the 2017 Vancouver International Music Competition. Alongside her performing career as a soloist and collaborator, Baird-Daniel is the artistic director of Archipelago Collective, a chamber music festival on San Juan Island, Washington.
Baird-Daniel completed her Artist and Performance Diplomas at the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music under Judy Loman. Her additional harp mentors include Isabelle Perrin, Nancy Allen, Elizabeth Fontan-Binoche, Mariko Anraku, Valerie Muzzolini, and Jessica Zhou.
Check out Baird-Daniel’s feature article “Repertoire RX” in the May-June 2021 issue of Harp Column. For more information, visit her website.
