The seventh edition of the International Harp Competition in Szeged, Hungary, took place Nov. 19–23 at the Reök Palace in Szeged. 57 young harp players participated, representing 17 countries (England, Belgium, Czech Republic, South Korea, France, Ireland, China,...
The 3rd International Harp Competition Elena Carfi has announced the winners of its 2025 contest, held by online video submission October 1–15. In the Junior I division (for contestants born in 2009 or later), Caleb Rodríguez of Argentina won first prize; Rodríguez is...
The USA International Harp Competition, Inc. (USAIHC) has elected Barbara W. Lepke-Sims as its new president and chair. Former USAIHC president and chair Joyce E. Claflin remains on the board of directors, now serving as vice president. Cheryl D. Cunningham and...
The Dutch-based electroacoustic lever harp manufacturer Harp-E has opened a new facility in London, its first international office and assembly facility outside of the Netherlands. According to a press release, the company says this expansion will “allow Harp-E to...
French harpist Mélanie Laurent will release her debut album Pastel on Nov. 22 on Indésens Calliope Records. The album features two new transcriptions by Laurent of works by Cécile Chaminade and Mel Bonis, as well as compositions by Grandjany, Tournier, Tailleferre, de...
Harpist Kristina Finch and her husband Dannel Espinoza are taking on ownership of the Virginia Harp Centers and the Atlanta Harp Center, following the retirement of previous owners David and MJ D’Arville. “For decades, David and MJ D’Arville built a legacy of...
BEATrio’s eponymous debut album is nominated for a 2026 GRAMMY Award in the Best Contemporary Instrumental Album category. The band features American banjo player Béla Fleck, Colombian harpist Edmar Castañeda, and Mexican drummer Antonio Sánchez. In addition to...
The 1000 Strings Festival (formerly the Dutch Harp Festival) will take place April 18, 2026, at TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht, The Netherlands. The program starts at 4 p.m. with pre-festival activities for all ages, including the final of the World Harp Competition...
The Italian Harp Association has announced dates and repertoire for the 15th edition of its International Harp Contest in Italy Suoni d’Arpa. The competition will take place Aug. 25–30, 2026, at the Fondazione Scuola di Alto Perfezionamento Musicale, in the medieval...
Harpist Kirsten Agresta Copely is nominated for a 2026 GRAMMY Award in the Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album category for her recent New Age album, Kuruvinda, which had earned a silver medal in the Global Music Awards before its release on Aug. 1, 2025. “Inspired...
Harp Center Los Angeles (HCLA), owned by California harpist Xochitl Derycz, celebrated its grand opening on Oct. 19. “Harp Center Los Angeles began as a response to the many challenges harpists face just to meet their basic needs—whether it’s finding quality strings,...
The New Haven Symphony Orchestra (NHSO) has announced an opening for principal harp, with auditions to be held April 11, 2026. Applicants must submit an application form, resume, and refundable deposit check by mail or email by March 11. Please see the audition...
Vancouver-based harpist, vocalist, and composer Elisa Thorn releases her album xiik on Nov. 7 on major streaming platforms. According to a press release, the album is “whimsical, curious, and intimate … exploring [themes of] time, selfhood, and transformation. Thorn...
Alessandra Münger (Switzerland/Italy) took home first prize at the 2025 International Reinl Harp Competition, organized by the Franz Josef Reinl Foundation. Lauren Swain (United States) was awarded second prize, and Gabriela Dudziak (Poland) won third prize. Enzhuo Wu...
The Italian Harp Association has announced the winners of its First International Competition of Harp Composition “Daniele Garella,” which the association organized in collaboration with the Omraam Foundation ETS and the Stella Mattutina Publishing House. Arianna...
The 7th International Competition of the Slovenian Harp Association will take place April 23–26, 2026, at the Fran Korun Koželjski Music School in Velenje, Slovenia. According to a press release, the competition aims to promote musical culture, encourage young...
Organized by the “Opera Zero” Cultural Association of Bari (Italy), the 3rd International Harp Competition “Ángel Padilla Crespo” will take place in the spring of 2026. The online competition is open to musicians of all nationalities and is divided into four solo harp...
Scottish harpist Ailie Robertson and her husband have opened a new harp shop in Argyll, Scotland. According to a press release, the Saltire Harp Centre provides harp sales, rentals, and accessories, as well as Dusty Strings pickups and installation services near Loch...
Dutch harpist Remy van Kesteren is one of two performing artists to receive this year’s Gieskes-Strijbis Podium Prize, alongside Amsterdam-based theater director, writer, and actor Carolina Bianchi. “I’m truly honored to receive the Podiumprijs 2025—it means a great...
Quebecois harpist Valérie Milot released her new album Nebulæ on Oct. 7 on the 2xHD label. Inspired by space exploration, the album features two new works for harp by Quebecois composers Denis Gougeon and Amélie Fortin (with sheet music to be published in early 2026),...
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