The 2025 American Harp Society (AHS) National Competition took place May 30–31 at the Colburn School in Los Angeles, California, with the winners’ recital and awards ceremony taking place June 1. As first prize winner of the Young Professional Division, Renée Murphy will serve as the 2025–2027 AHS Concert Artist, giving recitals for AHS chapters across the U.S. with the financial support of the AHS. A student of Nancy Allen, Murphy is pursuing a Master of Music degree at The Juilliard School, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree. Murphy recently won fifth prize in the 13th USA International Harp Competition. She also won first prize in the 30th Soka-Nippon International Harp Competition and first prize in the Advanced Division of the AHS National Competition in 2021, and was one of the winners of the 2024 Lyon & Healy Awards.
2025 AHS National Competition announces results
Renée Murphy is the 2025–2027 American Harp Society Concert Artist, after winning first prize in the Young Professional Division on May 31.
Young Professional Division Winners
(maximum age 30 as of June 1, 2025)
1st prize and 2025–2027 AHS Concert Artist: Renée Murphy
2nd prize: Emily Howard
3rd prize: Margaret Gunter
Prix Renié (for the best performance of a work by Henriette Renié): Margaret Gunter
Honorable mention: Julia Johnson
Advanced Division Winners
(maximum age 21 as of June 1, 2025)
1st prize: Naomi Sun
2nd prize: Maya Lindsey
Honorable mentions: Miriam Kessler and Ava Yeh
Intermediate Il Division Winners
(maximum age 18 as of June 1, 2025)
1st prize: Margaret Hodes
2nd prize: Hannah Chen
3rd prize: Olivia Shidler
Honorable mentions: Isabella Ebo and Tessa Jackson
Intermediate I Division Winners
(maximum age 15 as of June 1, 2025)
1st prize: Vicki Chen
2nd prize: Leenah Yoon
3rd prize: Erin Bai
Honorable mention: Sarah Howell
Junior Division Winners
(maximum age 12 as of June 1, 2025)
1st prize: Irene Kim
2nd prize: Wesley Park
3rd prize: Livia Cheng
Honorable mention: Thea Watkins
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