The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra has appointed Charlene Chin principal harp, following auditions held this spring. Chin began performing with the orchestra in September of the 2024–2025 season.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to have joined the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra; it has been incredible performing alongside such welcoming and fantastic musicians,” Chin says. “The season covers a wide array of repertoire (in addition to symphonies) including ballet, opera, and a new music festival. Winnipeg is a city with a supportive community for the arts and I’m excited to be a part of it!”
Originally from Washington State, Chin traveled to Toronto, Ont., to pursue an undergraduate degree at the Glenn Gould School of Music with internationally acclaimed harpist Judy Loman and Toronto Symphony Orchestra principal harpist Heidi Elise Bearcroft. She returned to the United States at the Indiana University Jacob School of Music studying with Florence Sitruk, who furthered her interests in contemporary music. These interests led to the creation of the harp duo, Duo XCIV, who won second prize at the Ceren Necipoğlu International Competition in Istanbul. Later, she returned to Toronto where her studies continued at the University of Toronto.
Chin has performed with orchestras such as the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, National Ballet of Canada, Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, Rochester Philharmonic, and Buffalo Philharmonic.
