harpcolumn

Sacchi releases album dedicated to music of Joe Hisaishi

Sacchi releases album dedicated to music of Joe Hisaishi

Harpist, composer, and producer Floraleda Sacchi recently released a new album titled Joe Hisaishi by Floraleda Sacchi on the Amadeus Arte label. According to a press release, this recording is a tribute to the Japanese contemporary composer Joe Hisaishi and contains...

Remembering Laurie Buchanan (1939–2026)

Remembering Laurie Buchanan (1939–2026)

Laurie Ellen Bolvig Buchanan of San Antonio, Texas, died on Feb. 18, 2026, at age 87. Buchanan was born in Brooklyn, New York, on Jan. 28, 1939, to Doris Hevener Bolvig and Col. Lawrence John Bolvig. She earned a degree in harp performance from the Eastman School of...

Remembering Mari Lola Higueras (1930–2026)

Remembering Mari Lola Higueras (1930–2026)

Spanish harpist Mari Lola Higueras died on March 30, 2026. She was born in Madrid on Aug. 3, 1930, to sculptor Jacinto Higueras and violinist María Dolores Domínguez Palatín. The following tribute is by Spanish harpist María Rosa Navas-Pérez: “Mari Lola Higueras was...

2026 Korea International Harp Competition names winners

2026 Korea International Harp Competition names winners

The Korea International Harp Competition (KIHC) has announced the winners of this year’s contest, which took place March 29–April 5 in Seoul, South Korea. Jia Yao (China) won second prize in the young professional division, in which no first prize was awarded. Hei U...

Wheaton College seeks guest lecturer in harp

Wheaton College seeks guest lecturer in harp

The Conservatory of Music at Wheaton College (Illinois) invites applications for a part-time guest lecturer position beginning in August 2026. Primary responsibilities for this position include teaching applied harp lessons and contributing to studio class offerings....

Remembering Moya Brennan (1952–2026)

Remembering Moya Brennan (1952–2026)

Irish singer-songwriter and harpist Moya Brennan died on April 13, 2026, at age 73. Born Máire Ní Bhraonáin on August 4, 1952, to her parents Leo and Máire Brennan, she grew up in the Irish-speaking Donegal Gaeltacht area of Gaoth Dobhair, Ireland. She is best known...

Colorado Ballet Orchestra announces principal harp opening

Colorado Ballet Orchestra announces principal harp opening

The Colorado Ballet Orchestra has announced an opening for principal harp. Applicants must send a one-page resume by email to the orchestra personnel manager by May 11. Auditions will be held in Denver on May 25. Please see the audition listing for more information.

9th World Harp Competition in Utrecht announces prize winners

9th World Harp Competition in Utrecht announces prize winners

Ukrainian harpist Veronika Lemishenko is the first prize winner of the 9th World Harp Competition, which took place at the 1000 Strings Festival in Utrecht, The Netherlands. The competition’s semifinal and final rounds took place April 16–18. According to a press...

Anraku among four musicians on JUNO Award-winning album

Anraku among four musicians on JUNO Award-winning album

Harpist Mariko Anraku is one of four musicians on the JUNO Award-winning album Kevin Lau: Kimiko’s Pearl, named Classical Album of the Year (Small Ensemble). The other performers on the album are Conrad Chow (violin), Ron Korb (Japanese and Western flutes), and Rachel...