Ingrid Bauer is the new principal harpist with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, following the retirement of harpist Rebecca Harris, who has played with the ensemble since 1981. The audition took place on Feb. 23, 2018 and was open to citizens and residents of New Zealand and Australia. When asked about the audition process, Bauer says, “The APO made a real effort to make the process as friendly and calm as it possibly could be, which I definitely appreciated.” She adds, “Coming from a small country that has only two full-time harp jobs, it’s a great privilege to be able to stay in New Zealand. I’ve applied for many jobs much further from home in the past, so I’m doubly grateful to have won this one. Although I’ll miss my personal and professional connections in Wellington, I’m looking forward to giving up the freelance lifestyle, and to playing some great repertoire with my new colleagues at their beautiful hall.”
Bauer’s freelance work has included solo performances with the Australian National Academy of Music Chamber Orchestra, Bach Musica, the Bay of Plenty Symphonia, and the Kapiti Concert Orchestra. She has also performed at the Huntington Estate Music Festival and was a quarterfinalist in the 2nd Dutch Harp Competition. As a chamber musician, she is a member of many ensembles: Toru, a trio for flute, viola, and harp, Parp!, a duo with trombonist Peter Maunder, and the Australian harp septet SHE, which opened the 2014 World Harp Congress in Sydney. She holds degrees from Victoria University and Australia National University, and has studied with Alice Giles, Judy Loman, and Carolyn Mills.
For more information about Bauer, visit her website at www.ingridbauer.com.
