harpcolumn

United Kingdom Harp Competition announces 2025 winners

United Kingdom Harp Competition announces 2025 winners

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)...

2025 AHS National Competition announces results

2025 AHS National Competition announces results

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...

2nd Ángel Padilla Crespo competition announces winners

2nd Ángel Padilla Crespo competition announces winners

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,...

Remembering Susann McDonald (1935–2025)

Remembering Susann McDonald (1935–2025)

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...

Bennett wins audition for Opera Philadelphia principal harp

Bennett wins audition for Opera Philadelphia principal harp

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...

13th USAIHC announces final results

13th USAIHC announces final results

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...

Lee appointed to Kansas City Symphony

Lee appointed to Kansas City Symphony

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...

Toronto International Harp Festival announces inaugural edition

Toronto International Harp Festival announces inaugural edition

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...

Fotinos appointed to trial with Adelaide Symphony Orchestra

Fotinos appointed to trial with Adelaide Symphony Orchestra

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...

Mikrou appointed to Greek National Opera

Mikrou appointed to Greek National Opera

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...