We’re talking with featured performers leading up to this summer's One Harp World (OHW), a joint conference organized by the American Harp Society (AHS) and World Harp Congress (WHC). It takes place July 28–Aug 3, 2026, in Toronto. This month, we’re featuring Sharlene...
The China National Centre for the Performing Arts Orchestra (NCPAO) in Beijing has appointed Chinese harpist Qi Han associate principal harp. “After seven years of studying and performing in Europe, returning to my home country feels both meaningful and inspiring as I...
The Kalamazoo (Michigan) Symphony Orchestra has appointed Anna Dunlap principal harp. “I am really looking forward to performing Mahler 3 in February and to the world premiere of a new violin concerto in March with my colleagues in the Kalamazoo Symphony,” Dunlap...
Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester, has named Bridget Kibbey associate professor of harp, starting in fall 2026. “I’m excited to join a community with a rich history of excellence, while supporting the next generation of musicians as they prepare for and...
Filipino harpist Lourdes Gregorio passed away on Thursday, Jan. 22, at the age of 91. Born on Feb. 27, 1934, Gregorio was the first Filipino to obtain an artist diploma in solo courses for harp and piano from the Vienna Academy for Music and Dramatic Arts. She was a...
New York-based harpist and composer Zeena Parkins released her album Lament for the Maker in December 2025, titled after a poem by Jack Spicer. Parkins explains, “In 2022, with the closing of Mills College imminent and my bicoastal life coming to an end along with it,...
Irish harper, composer, and songwriter Aisling Urwin recently released her second solo album, The Other Place. Though the harp is central, the album also features field recordings of streams, birdsong, storms, a grandfather clock, bells, and old wind-up toys, as well...
The Toronto International Harp Festival (a.k.a. “iHarpFest”) takes place July 6–12, 2026, in Toronto, Canada. Venues include the Aga Khan Museum, The Ismaili Centre, and the All Nations Event Center. The event coincides with The Toronto International Harp Summer...
The University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance has appointed Yolanda Kondonassis to join the department of strings faculty as director of the harp studio, starting this fall. Kondonassis will assume leadership of the harp studio upon the retirement of...
Electric harpist Abbie Palmer recently self-released her fifth album, featuring her original music and self-produced electronics in the style of electronic dance music (EDM). Palmer is joined by guest musicians Jonathan Moorman (fiddle) and Arden Moscati (voice). The...
