The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra has appointed Claire Thai principal harpist, following auditions held June 9–12. Thai begins performing with the orchestra this fall. “I am thrilled to join such a wonderful ensemble—throughout my audition and trial process, everyone was incredibly kind and welcoming,” Thai says. “I am looking forward to performing some wonderful harp repertoire this season with a group of such excellent musicians!”
Thai has won prizes at international competitions, including 1st place at both the Suoni d’Arpa competition in Italy and the International Portuguese Harp Competition. She is also a winner of the Anne Adams Awards and the Lyon & Healy Awards. As an orchestral harpist, Thai frequently performs with the Philadelphia Orchestra as a substitute harpist and was a fellow at both the National Repertory Orchestra and the Aspen Music Festival and School. Thai also performs as a soloist with orchestras such as the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra and Tucson Symphony Orchestra.
In addition to her performance career, Thai composes and transcribes works for harp. In 2022, she was commissioned to compose and perform a harp concerto with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra to be performed in conjunction with the Mozart Flute and Harp Concerto. Her solo recitals often feature transcriptions of her favorite keyboard pieces, and she has premiered numerous solo works by composers at the Curtis Institute of Music.
Thai holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in harp performance from the Curtis Institute of Music, where she studied under Elizabeth Hainen, principal harpist of the Philadelphia Orchestra.
