The United Kingdom Harp Competition has announced the winners of its 2025 competition. Heather Brooks won first prize; Brooks is a student of Imogen Barford and graduated from Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2024. Natalie Lo (Royal Academy of Music)...
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...
The 2nd International Harp Competition “Ángel Padilla Crespo” has announced the results of its online contest held this spring, in which recorded video submissions serve as the competition performances. In the solo harp category for competitors up to 16 years of age,...
Legendary harpist and pedagogue Susann McDonald, distinguished professor emeritus of harp at Indiana University (IU) Jacobs School of Music and founder of the USA International Harp Competition (USAIHC), died on May 29 at the age of 90. Susann McDonald appeared on the...
Ruth Bennett won the audition for the principal harp position at Opera Philadelphia and will begin performing with the ensemble this fall. “I love that opera is a collaborative fusion of many facets of art—music, theater, lighting design, sets, and fashion (I’m an...
The 13th USA International Harp Competition (USAIHC) took place May 14–24, 2025, in Bloomington, Indiana, at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Watch for our interview with the gold medal winner in an upcoming issue of Harp Column. May 24, 2025 Final...
The Kansas City Symphony has appointed Yun Chai Lee principal harp. “I’m most looking forward to making music with, learning from, and being inspired by an incredible group of musicians—and of course, working with Maestro Matthias Pintscher,” Lee says. “Oh, and also...
The Toronto International Harp Festival and Summer Institute (iHarp) has announced the first edition of its annual event, to be held July 7–13 at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto. Featuring performances, workshops, and masterclasses, the festival is led by artistic...
Following principal harp auditions held in South Australia last November, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO) has appointed Jessica Fotinos to a trial period. “Whilst I’m still on trial for another three months, I have loved my time with the ASO so far,” Fotinos...
Canadian harpist Andrew Chan is launching a new international harp festival in Toronto, to be held annually beginning this summer. Catherine Michel and Kathleen Bride are serving as artistic advisors. We asked Chan, Michel, and Bride to tell us more about the...
The Greek National Opera has appointed Ersilia Mikrou principal harp. “I am deeply honored to join the Greek National Opera as principal harpist,” Mikrou says. “This institution has been a cornerstone of my musical upbringing, and it is incredibly meaningful to return...
Welsh harpist and composer Amanda Whiting is releasing a new EP June 6 on First Word Records. Can You See Me Now? is available for pre-order on Bandcamp. The album will be available in vinyl format in addition to digital download and streaming options. Whiting is...
Italian-Swiss experimental harpist and composer Kety Fusco released a new single on May 16 featuring a collaboration with rock performer Iggy Pop, who has previously selected and broadcasted Fusco’s music on BBC Radio. Available on all digital platforms, “SHE” is...
Harpist Alina Bzhezhinska and Ibiza-based producer Tulshi will release their collaborative album Whispers of Rain on July 11. The eight-track recording is Bzhezhinska’s debut album with the Tru Thoughts label. Whispers of Rain is available for pre-order and comes in...
Harpist Gretchen Chell Cover recently collaborated with classical guitarist Miguel Bonachea and violist Stephen “Adam” Savage to release Chiaroscuro: Music of Light and Darkness. The 45-minute album features world premiere recordings of four compositions by Anthony...
Caroline Wilkins joined the Boise Philharmonic as principal harp in 2024. “It’s been an honor to join the Boise Philharmonic and perform alongside these talented musicians,” she says. “I’ve been highly impressed with the fabulous programming, and am thrilled to be...
The Detroit Opera Orchestra has appointed Juan Riveros principal harp, beginning in the 2025–2026 season. “I’m thrilled to be joining the Detroit Opera Orchestra and look forward to memorable music-making alongside my colleagues,” Riveros says. “After many years of...
TThe 13th USA International Harp Competition (USAIHC) took place May 14–24, 2025, in Bloomington, Indiana, at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Watch for our interview with the gold medal winner in an upcoming issue of Harp Column. May 24, 2025 Final...
Harpist-composer Caroline Lizotte received the Jan V. Matejcek Prize for New Classical Music at the Society of Composers, Authors, and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) Gala 2025 in Montreal on May 4. The award recognizes her notable contributions to the harp...
Viennese harpist Elisabeth Plank is releasing her new album chimaera on June 6 on the Genuin label. The digital release will be available on all streaming and download platforms. According to a press release, chimaera consists entirely of world premiere recordings of...
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