9th Félix Godefroid competition announces winners

Winners of the top category of the 9th Félix Godefroid International Harp Competition hold their award certificates onstage, with members of the jury and competition organizers standing behind them

(Pictured at center stage from l. to r.) 9th Félix Godefroid International Harp Competition Soliste winners Yuki Dempo (second prize, tie), Maximilian Robin Treller (third prize), and Letizia Lazzerini (second prize, tie) receive their awards. (Photo courtesy of the Félix Godefroid International Harp Competition)

harpcolumn

May 7, 2026

The Félix Godefroid International Harp Competition has announced the winners of its 9th edition, which took place April 29–May 3 in Tournai, Belgium. The triennial competition is open to harpists ages 35 and under, divided into four categories based on the length and difficulty of the competition program. In the top category, “Soliste,” Yuki Dempo of Japan and Letizia Lazzerini of Italy tied for second prize. Maximilian Robin Treller (Germany) won third prize. No first prize was awarded in this category.

Jury members included harpists Albane Baron, Johanna Dorothea Görißen, Agnès Clément, Jean-Baptiste Haye, Anneleen Lenaerts, Isabelle Perrin, and Anastasia Razvalyaeva, as well as musician and honorary Tournai Conservatory director Michel Jakobiec and composers Fanny Bodson, Philippe Verkaeren, and Claude Ledoux.

For more information, visit the competition website. Results are listed below.

Soliste

First prize: not awarded

Second prize (tie): Yuki Dempo (Japan) and Letizia Lazzerini (Italy)

Third prize: Maximilian Robin Treller (Germany)

Special prize for the best interpretation of Un petit écho de fredons by Claude Ledoux: Letizia Lazzerini (Italy)

Excellence

First prize: Ziling Huang (China)

Second prize: Eva Kochs (Germany)

Third prize: Kalina Nowaczek (Poland)

Special prize for the best interpretation of Barcarolle by Philippe Verkaeren (tie): Anaïd Conquet (France) and Viéra Rousse (France)

Jeune Talent

First prize: Ziling Huang (China)

Second prize (tie): Natalie Chee (Canada) and Dan Kim (South Korea)

Third prize: Anna Bilalova (Latvia)

Special prize for the best interpretation of La Laura by Félix Godefroid (tie): Natalie Chee (Canada) and Manon Ladrière (Belgium)

Special prize for the best interpretation of Le Désir by Félix Godefroid (tie): Ziling Huang (China) and Anna Bilalova (Latvia)

Espoir

First prize: Carlotta Maria Augugliaro (Italy)

Second prize: Valerij Greblo (Slovenia)

Third prize: Yu Sze Caitlyn Yip (Australia)

Special prize for the best interpretation of Le reflet de l’insouciance by Fanny Bodson (tie): Hermione Dommanget (France) and Carlotta Maria Augugliaro (Italy)