Following auditions that took place in October and November, Marguerite Lynn Williams has been named principal harpist with the Minnesota Orchestra. “I am extremely excited to be joining the Minnesota Orchestra and Music Director Osmo Vanska in September 2020,” Williams shares. “I am very appreciative of support by retiring harpist Kathy Kienzle, who is a beloved member of the orchestra and leaving enormous shoes to fill!” Kienzle has played with the orchestra since 1993.
The application process began with over 80 applicants, with four rounds of auditions taking place Oct. 5–7 in Minneapolis. The committee then invited four finalists back to Orchestra Hall to rehearse noteworthy harp excerpts with the ensemble on Nov. 14.
Williams has been principal harpist with the Lyric Opera since September 2011. She is also a founding member of the Chicago Harp Quartet, International Chamber Artists, and La Folia, a chamber duo for harp and flute. A passionate educator, Williams currently teaches at Northwestern University and the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, and founded the Chicago Harp Ensemble in 2010.
Read our 2013 interview with Williams here.
