The 14th International Harp Contest in Italy Suoni d’Arpa has announced the winners of its 2025 competition, held Aug. 26–31 at the Fondazione Scuola di Alto Perfezionamento Musicale in Saluzzo, Italy. Zoé Buyck won first prize in the top division, Category C (open to solo pedal harpists of all ages and nationalities). As part of her first prize, Buyck will perform in the 2026 artistic season of Conservatorio Ghedini Cuneo. Also in Category C, Agnese Contadini won second prize and the Emilia Fadini prize for the best interpretation of a work by Domenico Scarlatti, while Yaëlle de Saint-Albin took home third prize.
Hosted by the Italian Harp Association, the competition offered a total of €25,000 in prizes, including cash awards and vouchers for music and strings, as well as opportunities such as recording CDs and presenting concerts and masterclasses. This year’s jury included Mattia Sismonda, Emanuela Degli Exposti, Oksana Sidyagina, Naoko Yoshino, and Lorenzo Montenz.
Category A (pedal harp, under age 15)
1st prize: Hara Lim
2nd prize: Martin Blazhev
3rd prize: Charlotte Maria Augugliaro
Category B (pedal harp, under age 20)
1st prize: Zeynep Duru Gulec
2nd prize: Miguel Ángel Jiménez Govea
3rd prize: Derya Köftecioğlu
Category C (pedal harp, no age limit)
1st prize: Zoé Buyck
2nd prize and Emilia Fadini special prize: Agnese Contadini
3rd prize: Yaëlle de Saint-Albin
Category D (duo with harp and any instrument, no age limit)
1st prize: Olha Belkova (harp) and Marharyta Baidak (flute)
2nd prize: Sabrina and Simona Palazzolo (harp duo)
3rd prize: Caterina Artuso (harp) and Pietro Milzani (violin)
For more information, visit the Italian Harp Association’s website.
