The fifth Wales International Harp Festival named the 2023 prize winners of its four competitions, held Apr. 5–11 in Caernarfon, Wales.
In the 2023 Chief Musician Competition, Isla Biffin won first prize. Lauren Swain was awarded second prize, and Huw Boucher took home third prize. The Chief Musician Competition is open to competitors born on or after Sept. 1, 1987, and awards cash prizes in the amount of £5,000 for first place, £2,000 for second place, and £1,000 for third place. The jury for the Chief Musician Competition included jury chair John Metcalf and jury members Veronika Lemishenko, Sioned Williams, and Imogen Barford.
The three winners of the 2023 Youth Competition are Viktoriia Smetana, Hallie Bentschneider, and Aaron Stewart. The Youth Competition is open to competitors born on or after Sept. 1, 2003, and awards three equal scholarships of £1,500. The jury for the Youth Competition included jury chair Geraint Lewis and jury members Clíona Doris and Monika Stadler.
The three winners of the 2023 Junior Competition are Millie Huang, Ben Manville-Parry, and Malena Gwynn Aled. The Junior Competition is open to competitors born on or after Sept. 1, 2009, and awards three equal scholarships of £300. The jury for the Junior Competition included Gillian Green and Catrin Williams.
In the 2023 World Music Competition, Gràinne Meyer won first prize. Aisha Palmer and Mared Pugh Evans took home second prize. Tara Viscardi and Robert Harvey were awarded third prize. Alwena Owen and Gwenna Lloyd Owen received special recognition. The World Music Competition is open to competitors of any age, performing folk and traditional music from any country or tradition, using at least one harp from any culture. Competitors may perform solo or in groups of up to five musicians. This competition awards cash prizes in the amount of £2,000 for first place, £1,000 for second place, and £500 for third place. The jury for the World Music Competition included jury chair Pwyll ap Siôn and jury members Zi Lan Liao and Parker Ramsay.
For more information, visit the Wales International Harp Festival competition website.
