The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) appointed Alyssa Katahara principal harpist after the retirement of former principal harpist Elizabeth Volpé Bligh. Following three rounds of auditions on February 3–4, 2020, and a trial week in March 2020, Katahara began her first season with the VSO in September 2021. Katahara began the 2021–2022 season performing with the VSO on a one-year contract, but in December her contract was changed to a permanent tenure-track position.
Katahara describes performing with the orchestra after being shut down by the pandemic. “Following the pandemic closures, my first concert with the VSO was a gala performance where we played Berlioz’s masterpiece Symphonie Fantastique and Massenet’s lush “Méditation” from Thaïs. Maestro Tausk placed the harps at the very front of the orchestra, so it was an absolutely exhilarating and unforgettable experience. It was quite surreal to experience the rich sound of the orchestra bubbling forth to introduce the first iconic Symphonie Fantastique arpeggios! Since then, I have loved the challenge of learning the style of each wonderfully unique player and how to best support the orchestra. Maestro Tausk is a visionary, and both he and the passionate, supportive orchestra community continue to inspire me to show up to every rehearsal and concert with zeal.”
As principal harpist of the VSO, Katahara says she is excited to play new repertoire each week. She also says she aspires to become like the most experienced orchestral harpists on the recordings she listens to. “They instinctively phrase the music, support every player throughout the orchestra, and breathe life into each piece they encounter. I hope to hone this skill and reach the point where my orchestra playing feels reactionary, playful, and creative. I have so much to learn from every member in the orchestra, and I am filled to the brim with gratitude for the opportunity of sitting alongside the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra to share music with an enthusiastic audience.”
Katahara received her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the Colburn Conservatory of Music, where she studied with JoAnn Turovsky. She recently won second prize in the Young Professional Division of the 2021 American Harp Society National Competition.
