harpcolumn

Worth a closer listen: three new harp albums

Worth a closer listen: three new harp albums

Three new harp albums caught our eye this month. A Danish mother-daughter duo, a contemporary Irish harp duo, and a specialist in the field of jazz harp have all recently recorded music worth a closer listen. Mother-daughter duo Josephine and Trine Opsahl released...

CNU Harp Competition announces prize winners

CNU Harp Competition announces prize winners

The Christopher Newport University (CNU) Harp Competition named winners of its 2021 event, held virtually in March. Eunice Park, student of Nancy Allen, won first place in the junior division (grades 9–10). Jocelyn Chang, student of Melissa Tardiff-Dvorak, was named...

AHS postpones 44th National Conference

AHS postpones 44th National Conference

The American Harp Society, Inc. (AHS) announced the postponement of its 44th National Conference due to the ongoing pandemic. The 44th National Conference, originally scheduled for June 2021 in Orlando, Fla., will now take place in June 2022 in Sioux Falls, S.D....

Remembering Pierick Houdy (1929-2021)

Remembering Pierick Houdy (1929-2021)

French composer Pierick Houdy died in March at the age of 92. He was one of the most prolific composers of his generation for the harp, and many of the pieces he wrote for our instrument have become part of the core classical repertoire. Pierick Houdy fell in love...

Madeline Jarzembak appointed principal harpist with U.S. Navy Band

Madeline Jarzembak appointed principal harpist with U.S. Navy Band

Following three rounds of auditions, Madeline Jarzembak was named the new principal harpist with the United States Navy Band. "I was thrilled to be offered the position," Jarzembak says. "As principal harpist with the U.S. Navy Band, I'll have the opportunity to serve...

Groundbreaking harpists featured in The New York Times

Groundbreaking harpists featured in The New York Times

Brandee Younger, Marilu Donovan, Hannah Stater, and Madison Calley are the subjects of a new article from The New York Times titled "How the Harp Got Hip." Author Alexis Garcia's March 16 article outlines the harp's stereotype as a "niche instrument" with "prudish...

2021 Guide to Spring Harp Festivals

2021 Guide to Spring Harp Festivals

What harp resolutions did you set this year? Has the pandemic affected your motivation or canceled your plans? If you’re looking for ways to amp up your motivation and find inspiration this spring, you’re in luck! Check out these spring harp festivals around the...

Lyon & Healy announces 2022 Awards competition

Lyon & Healy announces 2022 Awards competition

Lyon & Healy announced details for the 2022 Lyon & Healy Awards, scheduled to take place March 9–12, 2022, at its concert hall in Chicago. The competition is open to harpists under the age of 30, with applications due Jan. 15, 2022. The announcement comes...

Remembering Mary-Elizabeth Collins

Remembering Mary-Elizabeth Collins

Mary-Elizabeth Collins died peacefully on Jan. 24, 2021. Mary-Elizabeth was blessed with an abundance of musical talent. She began harp lessons at the age of ten studying under renowned harpist Mildred Dilling. She started playing professionally at age 17 and became a...

Ashley Jackson appointed to Hunter College faculty

Ashley Jackson appointed to Hunter College faculty

Hunter College has appointed Dr. Ashley Jackson to its faculty as both an assistant professor and director of undergraduate studies. As assistant professor at the New York City school, Jackson teaches performance related courses, chamber music classes, private...