One Harp World: Full Schedule

arrow_back View All Dates

07:00 EDT

In Stillness, Part III: Whisper of the Ancients

Friday July 31, 2026 07:00 - 08:15 EDT

Session 3. Learn how sound and vibrational frequencies may be used to influence the body, calm the nervous system, and support emotional and energetic balance. Experience a soundscape meditation with harp (electric), crystal bowl, didgeridoo, flute, and gong.

Presenters

Alexander Coronado

Alexander Coronado is founder of Mystical Xander Vibes, a Dallas-based wellness and experiential education practice integrating sound healing, energy work, ancient symbolic traditions, Authentic Relating, and communication facilitation. He creates transformative experiences that cultivate... Read More →

Kimberly Snaufer Derosa

Kimberly Snaufer DeRosa, known for her “stunningly beautiful” expression, has performed across North America, in the UK, and in Australia. Her career as performer and educator includes traditional and innovative collaborations, reflective sound immersions, founding/directing the... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 07:00 - 08:15 EDT
Birchwood Ballroom

Participatory Workshop, Healh & Wellness

08:30 EDT

Move Well, Play Better: #3 The Arms and how we use them

Friday July 31, 2026 08:30 - 09:20 EDT

Willow East

Move Well, Play Better: A Course of 5 Practical Interactive Workshops Exporing Our First Instrument (The Body) In Relation To Our Second (The Harp) Presented by Imogen Barford and Fiona Tree, both highly experienced harpists and teachers of the Alexander Technique.

Session #3: The Arms and How We Use Them - We will explore the arm/hand structure in our own bodies and discover useful ways of thinking to gain ease and freedom.

Presenters

Imogen Barford

Imogen Barford runs the 'Move Well, Play Better' programme of Alexander Technique and Body Mapping at the Guildhall School of Music in London, where she is Head of Harp. As well as a wide-ranging harp career, she holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Performing Arts Medicine.

Friday July 31, 2026 08:30 - 09:20 EDT
Willow East

Participatory Workshop, Health & Wellbeing

09:00 EDT

Susann McDonald: Thoughts for Teachers and Students

Friday July 31, 2026 09:00 - 09:45 EDT

Grand East

Perspectives on Susann McDonald's inspirational teaching legacy through generations of harpists and harp teachers.

Moderators

Isabel Moreton

Editor, World Harp Congress Review

Isabel Moretón studied harp at the internationally renown Schools of Music of Hanover (Germany) and Bloomington (Indiana University, USA).. She works as a professional harpist in Hanover, Germany, giving regular solo and chamber concerts and concerts for harp and orchestra, nationwide... Read More →

Presenters

Nancy Allen

Nancy Allen has enjoyed 50 years as a soloist, 25 years with The New York Philharmonic and over 40 years leading the harp department of The Juilliard School. Her students fill principal harp positions in major symphonies and conservatories across the globe, carrying forward the legacies... Read More →

Jaymee Haefner

International Harp Archives & UNT Harp Beats

Jaymee Haefner (DM, MM, BM), is the University Distinguished Research Professor of Harp and Director of Graduate Studies at the University of North Texas, Denton, Texas. She has premiered works by composers Libby Larsen, Paul Patterson, and Gary Schocker; taught masterclasses in the... Read More →

Linda Wood Rollo

Linda Wood Rollo has taught on the faculties of Indiana University, San Francisco State University, Dominican College and the Ursuline School of Music and Drama. Her honors include the World Harp Congress Award of Recognition, American Harp Society Lifetime Achievement... Read More →

Elzbieta (Ela) Szmyt

Elzbieta Szmyt is Professor of Music and Chair of the Harp Department at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. A native of Poland, she has given master classes, judged competitions and performed recitals in Europe, Canada, Asia, and the United States. She has been a featured... Read More →

Elisa Torres

Elisa Torres is principal harpist of the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra. She earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in harp performance from Indiana University under the tutelage of Susann McDonald. An active soloist and chamber musician, she also records across genres and for film. Her ind... Read More →

Naoko Yoshino

London-born Japanese harpist Naoko Yoshino started her solo career after winning First Prize at the Ninth International Harp Contest in Israel, in 1985. Her solo engagements with the world’s top orchestras have included the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 09:00 - 09:45 EDT
Grand East

Lecture, Panel Discussion

09:00 EDT

Functional Movement and Instrumental Gesture

Friday July 31, 2026 09:00 - 09:50 EDT

Willow

AMTA- Analysis of instrumental gestures from the perspective of functional movement and biomechanics. Lecture; interactive practical demonstrations with and without harp with auxiliary tools.

Presenters

lisetta rossi

Lisetta Rossi has held lectures, seminars and masterclasses in Europe, China and California. A former Professor at the Milan Conservatory, she was principal harpist in prestigious symphony and opera orchestras. She has performed at international contemporary music festivals, including... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 09:00 - 09:50 EDT
Willow Willow West + Willow Centre

Lecture, Health & Wellbeing

09:30 EDT

Valentina V. by Timothy Roy, for Solo Harp and Immersive Electroacoustic Sound

Friday July 31, 2026 09:30 - 10:05 EDT

Birchwood Ballroom

Valentina V. is a powerful and evocative new work for harp and immersive electronics exploring the dramatic and tragic life of Valentina Visconti.

Presenters

Timothy Roy

Electronics

Timothy Roy composes music steeped in imagery and allusion, which seeks to elicit a sense of time, place, and feeling. His music has been presented at such venues and events as the National Theater of Taipei, Music Biennale Zagreb, ZKM Karlsruhe, Los Angeles County Arboretum... Read More →

Hope Cowan

Hope Cowan performs and teaches throughout the Houston area as a soloist, chamber and orchestral musician, and event harpist. Active as both an orchestral and chamber musician, she is principal harpist with the Symphony of Southeast Texas and is a core member of the chamber music... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 09:30 - 10:05 EDT
Birchwood Ballroom

Performance, Multimedia

09:30 EDT

Steel6ix 🍁

Friday July 31, 2026 09:30 - 10:30 EDT

Grand Ballroom

Harpist Heidi Bearcroft and flutist Kelly Zimba Luckic, offer an program spanning evocative 19th Century French lyricism to polyphonic African Pygmy chants.

Presenters

Heidi Bearcroft

Toronto Symphony Orchestra

Heidi Bearcroft is the Principal harpist of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Sun Valley (Idaho) Summer Symphony. Ms. Bearcroft is a graduate of The Juilliard School, where she studied with Nancy Allen. She is the winner of numerous U.S. national competitions, and... Read More →

Kelly Zimba Lukić

Flute, Steel6ix

Kelly Zimba Lukić joined the Toronto Symphony Orchestra as Principal Flute in 2017. She teaches at the Glenn Gould School, the University of Toronto, and the OAcademy Orchestra Institute. She has served on the faculties of NYO Canada, NYO-USA, Atlantic Music Festival, Orford Winds... Read More →

Ensembles

Steel6ix

Steel6ix, a duo of harpist Heidi Bearcroft and flutist Kelly Zimba Lukić, blends two iconic representations of our hometowns: Steel for our beloved Pittsburgh roots, and 6ix for the six boroughs of Toronto, our new home.

Friday July 31, 2026 09:30 - 10:30 EDT
Grand Ballroom Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel

Performance, Chamber Music

10:00 EDT

Exhibit Hall Open

Friday July 31, 2026 10:00 - 18:00 EDT

Vendor Exhibit Hall

Friday July 31, 2026 10:00 - 18:00 EDT
Vendor Exhibit Hall

Exhibits

10:15 EDT

An Overview of Modern Canadian Music for the Harp 🍁

Friday July 31, 2026 10:15 - 10:50 EDT

Willow

Explore modern Canadian harp music, chronologically delving into the repertoire and what it means to write Canadian music for harp.

Presenters

Kalen Smith

Kalen Smith (b.2001) is an award-winning Canadian composer and harpist. His compositions combine his experience as a performer on harp, tonal music structures, contemporary techniques from his academic studies, and effects from electronic music. The result is a musical style akin... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 10:15 - 10:50 EDT
Willow Willow West + Willow Centre

Lecture, Lecture Recital, Canadian Music & Musicians

10:30 EDT

The Italian Triple Harp as a Solo Instrument

Friday July 31, 2026 10:30 - 11:15 EDT

Birchwood Ballroom

“The Italian triple harp as a solo instrument” is a 45-min performance on the Italian triple harp.

Presenters

Lise Vandersmissen

Lise Vandersmissen was one of the Classical Radio Artists in Belgium and won the Supernova Chamber Music Competition with her Aglica Trio. Lise won the First Prize at the 5th International Slovenian Harp Competition and Second Prize at the 5th International Harp Competition in Hungary... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 10:30 - 11:15 EDT
Birchwood Ballroom

Performance, Solo Harp

10:30 EDT

Focus on Youth 🍁

Friday July 31, 2026 10:30 - 12:30 EDT

Church of the Holy Trinity

10.30 Hanyun Yu, China
Robert Nicolas Charles Bochsa (1789-1856) - Zitti, zitti (Rondeau on the Trio Zitti, zitti from Rossini’s opera Barber of Seville)
Yinghai Li (1927) - Spring on the moonlit river

10.50 Anna-Helena Hamann, Finland
J.S. Bach (1685-1750) - Praeambulum from Partita n. 5 in G Major BWV 829
Marcel Grandjany (1891-1975) - Rhapsodie
L. MÅRTENSON (1934-2016) - Theme from Myrskyluodon Maija (arr. Anna-Helena Hamann)

11.10 Emma Wong, Canada
Sharlene Wallace - Acacia Street
Martin Pierre Dalvimare (1772-1839) - Variations on a Theme of André Campra’s opera Achille et Deidamie (1735) (arr. Odette Le Dentu)
Deborah Henson-Conant (1953) - Nataliana

11.30 Martin Sadilek, Czech Republic
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) - Sonate Hob. XVI/52 Es dur: Allegro
Bedřich Smetana (1824-1884) - The Moldau (arr. M. Sadílek)

11.50 Yixuan Bing, China
Konghou
Xie He (1983) - Memories of Time (2019)
Pingqiu Yue - Spring on the Moonlit River (2011)

12.10 Yan Lin, China
Konghou
Gang Chen (1935) - Sunshine on Tashkurgan (1976)
Hong He - Leisurely Dream (2024)
Yixuan Bing and Yan Lin will give a short explanation on playing the Konghou

Presenters

Hanyun Yu

15 years old Yu Hanyun began learning the guzheng at the age of five and the harp at seven. She was admitted to the Primary School Affiliated to the Central Conservatory of Music in 2019. She studies with Professor Wang Guan. Yu has won numerous international and domestic harp awards... Read More →

Anna-Helena Hamann

Finnish-American harpist Anna-Helena Hamann began playing the harp at age 8 at the Vantaa Conservatory (Finland). She is currently completing her first year of harp performance studies at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki studying under Päivi Severeide, with additional studies with... Read More →

Emma Sarang Wong

Emma Sarang Wong is a 4th-grade student at James Thompson Elementary School in Richmond, B.C., Canada. She studies harp with Rosanna Chiu (harp) Emma has received numerous awards at local and international competitions including First Class Honours with Distinction and the B.C... Read More →

Martin Sadílek

Martin Sadilek began his musical journey as a member of the boys' choir Pueri gaudentes. He studied with Hana Müllerová from 2016 until 2024, and currently studies at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague with Ernestine Stoop and Sylvain Blassel. Martin has won first prizes in numerous... Read More →

Yixuan Bing

Focus on Youth

Bing Yi Xuan is currently an undergraduate student at Shenyang Conservatory of Music, studying with Professor Hong He. In 2024, Bing was shortlisted for the finals of the second "Guoyun Cup" National Traditional Musical Instrument Art Exhibition. She performed at the cultural dinner... Read More →

Yan Lin

Focus on Youth

Lin Yan studies at the Shenyang Conservatory of Music's Ethnic Instruments Department. She studies under the renowned Konghou artist Professor He Hong. During secondary school, she has performed at the 13th World Harp Congress and the Sino - Slovak anniversary concert, and won awards... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 10:30 - 12:30 EDT
Church of the Holy Trinity 10 Trinity Square, Toronto, ON, M5G 1B1

Focus on Youth Recital, Solo Harp

10:45 EDT

Decoding Spohr: A Journey Through the Newly Published URTEXT Editions

Friday July 31, 2026 10:45 - 11:30 EDT

Grand East

This presentation explores the newly published URTEXT Bärenreiter edition of Spohr’s works, offering fresh insights into his musical language through the lens of historically informed performance. By examining period-specific phrasing, articulation, and expressive detail, we aim to illuminate interpretive possibilities that go beyond the written notes.

Presenters

Masumi Nagasawa

Masumi Nagasawa studied in the Netherlands with Phia Berghout. Masumi is a world-renowned harpist, celebrated for her expressiveness and stylistic mastery. She blends classical and contemporary repertoire with deep insight into 18th and 19th century performance practice. A PhD graduate... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 10:45 - 11:30 EDT
Grand East

Lecture, Lecture Recital

11:15 EDT

Original Voices: New Works for Organ & Harp

Friday July 31, 2026 11:15 - 12:15 EDT

Metropolitan United Church

Aaron David Miller and Rachel Brandwein present a stellar program of originally composed and newly arranged works by the performers, for harp & organ.

Presenters

Rachel Brandwein

Rachel Brandwein has toured the United States and Asia as a soloist, chamber musician, and concerto soloist. She is on the faculty of St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota, and is the recipient of multiple first prizes in performance competitions as well as receiving grants and... Read More →

Aaron David Miller

Organ

Aaron David Miller is Director of Music and Organist at House of Hope Presbyterian Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. He concertizes regularly throughout the U.S., and is a forensic musicologist for Donato Music. Mr. Miller is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, studying organ... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 11:15 - 12:15 EDT
Metropolitan United Church 56 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M5C 2Z3, Canada

Performance, Chamber Music

11:30 EDT

Everyday Harp Care: Strings and Tuning

Friday July 31, 2026 11:30 - 12:20 EDT

Osgoode West

Strings and Tuning: How to identify strings moving toward falseness and breakage. Mechanics of string movement, dynamics. Mechanics of optimal tuning.

Daily harp care education sessions covering maintenance, repair, and preservation, guided by a panel of Certified Harp Technicians sharing expert insights and practical techniques.

Presenters

Jo Baee

Jo Baée is a certified harp technician and professional harpist based in NSW, Australia. She was first inspired by the harp around 10 years of age. She holds a degree in harp performance, and apprenticed as a harp technician with Lyon & Healy and Salvi harp makers. Jo enjoys being... Read More →

Gabriel Diaz

Gabriel was introduced to the harp when he was brought on to help out at an AHS competition. He began his career as a harp technician when he was hired to work with master harp technician Peter Wiley. Gabriel is a Lyon & Healy/Salvi certified technician (2023), and devoted to maintaining... Read More →

Peter Wiley

Harp Doctor Llc

For over 40 years Peter Wiley has enjoyed sharing his passion for harp care in 16 countries. Working for Lyon & Healy from 1984-2005 he has cared for harps freelance since. Peter loves to bring his experience to life by sharing and educating harpists whenever the chance rises.

Danielle Williams

Danielle is a certified Lyon & Healy and Salvi harp technician and guild member. Current areas of service include the United States (all regions), Mexico, and Australia.

Friday July 31, 2026 11:30 - 12:20 EDT
Osgoode West

Lecture

11:30 EDT

Sylvain Blassel

Friday July 31, 2026 11:30 - 12:30 EDT

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church

Presenters

Sylvain Blassel

Keen to expand the repertoire available to him as a harpist, Sylvain Blassel has come to specialise in the virtuoso adaptation of music hitherto undreamt-of on the harp. He performs not simply transcriptions of digestible solos, but giants of the piano and orchestra repertoire. These... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 11:30 - 12:30 EDT
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church 73 Simcoe St, Toronto, ON M5J 1W9, Canada

Concert, Solo Harp

12:30 EDT

Stringing Waters

Friday July 31, 2026 12:30 - 13:00 EDT

Open Stage, Vide Lobby

A flowing journey through Slovenian heritage and global classics, uniting water’s motion, reflection, and emotion in a narrative for harp quartet from Škerjanc to Piazzolla.

Presenters

Maria Gamboz

SIH4rps

Slovenian native Maria Gamboz grew up in Tokyo, Japan, where she studied with Sumire Kuwashima. Maria has won several scholarships and international competitions including the Victor Salvi Competition and the TIM, Salon de Provence, France, competition. She released the CD R... Read More →

Tea Plesničar

SIH4rps

Tea Plesničar is a graduate of the Academy of Music in Ljubljana studying with Ruda Ravnik Kosi, and the Royal Conservatory of Brussels studying with Jana Bouškova. Tea is an avid chamber musician and has performed at festivals in Belgium, Portugal, Italy, the Netherlands, and... Read More →

Sofia Ristic

SIH4rps

Since 1996 Sofia Ristic* has been the Principal Harpist of the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra. Her recordings of Handel, Mozart, and Gliere performed with the RTV Slovenia Symphony orchestra are frequently broadcast throughout most major european national radios. Sofia graduated... Read More →

Urška Križnik Zupan

SIH4rps

Urška Križnik Zupan graduated from the Academy of Music of the University of Ljubljana in 2003 and is currently the solo harpist in the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra. She performs as a soloist and in various chamber groups including for the Festival Ljubljana, Piran Music... Read More →

Ensembles

SIH4rps, Slovenian Harp Quartet

SIH4rps is a Slovenian harp quartet of concert artists—Urška Križnik Zupan, Maria Gamboz, Sofia Ristic, and Tea
Plesničar—active in major orchestras and conservatories. They have commissioned works from Bec and Naumovski Potisk, a Škerjanc arrangement by Maerz, and pieces by Maria and Tea. Their concerts, many recorded by RTV Slovenia, are heard across Slovenia and Croatia, and they will... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 12:30 - 13:00 EDT
Open Stage, Vide Lobby

Performance, Harp Quartet

14:00 EDT

Evelyn Huber - Magic of Harp

Friday July 31, 2026 14:00 - 14:45 EDT

Willow

Evelyn performs originals and favorites with loop station and improvisations, blending jazz, world music and contemporary classical for a distinctive and personal harp style.

Presenters

Evelyn Huber

Evelyn Huber earned her Master’s degree in Munich under Professor Helga Storck. Drawn to jazz, she studied in the U.S. with Carrol McLaughlin and Deborah Henson-Conant, earning recognition at the International Jazz Harp Competition in Arizona. She has taught at the University of... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 14:00 - 14:45 EDT
Willow Willow West + Willow Centre

Performance, Contemporary Styles

14:00 EDT

Music Unearthed from the Silk Road 🍁

Friday July 31, 2026 14:00 - 14:45 EDT

Grand East

Historical background of the Konghou and demonstrations of contemporary and traditional repertoire featuring various techniques unique to the instrument.

Presenters

Nathania Ko

Nathania Ko is Canada’s first Konghou performer and an educator in both Harp and Konghou. A faculty member at the Vancouver Academy of Music and conductor of the B.C. Youth Chinese Orchestra, her award-winning Konghou compositions are now part of Shenyang Conservatory’s undergraduate... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 14:00 - 14:45 EDT
Grand East

Performance, Lecture Recital

14:00 EDT

Nico Muhly's The Street

Friday July 31, 2026 14:00 - 15:15 EDT

St. Thomas Anglican Church

The Street is fourteen meditations on the Stations of the Cross, music composed by Nico Muhly, text/libretto by Alice Goodman. The Street was commissioned by King’s College, Cambridge, with the generous support of the American Harp Society, the Association of Anglican Musicians, Michael Davidson and Benedict Cadbury. First performed on April 16, 2022 and recorded by Parker Ramsay. The first performance was given on 16 April 2022.

Note: This church is approximately a 40 minute walk from the Sheraton. It is 16 minutes by Metro.

Walk 4 minutes to the Osgoode Metro Station.
Take train 1 Yonge-University to Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Station. Trains every 3 minutes. 6 min, 4 stops:

St Patrick
Queen's Park
Museum
St George EXIT HERE
3. Walk about 6 min (483 meters, 0.3 mi) to St. Thomas's Anglican Church, 383 Huron St,

Presenters

Parker Ramsay

Parker Ramsay has forged a career that defies classification. Whether premiering, rediscovering, or transcribing, he dedicates himself to expanding the harp’s repertoire, bringing the instrument to conversations — and audiences — it had never before known.

Friday July 31, 2026 14:00 - 15:15 EDT
St. Thomas Anglican Church 383 Huron Street, Toronto

Performance, Multimedia

14:30 EDT

In Memoriam: Daphne Boden 🍁

Friday July 31, 2026 14:30 - 15:15 EDT

Grand Ballroom

Tribute to Daphne Boden (1942 – 2025).
Daphne Boden served on the Corporation and Board of Directors of the World Harp Congress from 2002-2025. For many Congresses (until 2014) she managed the Focus on Youth program.

Itheia Bong & Natalie Lee, Singapore
Deborah Henson-Conant (1953) - Baroque Flamenco (1994)
Meredith Hau, UK
Pearl Chertock (1918-1981) - Around the Clock Suite: Ten past two, Beige Nocturne, Harpicide at Midnight, The morning after
Viktoria Smetana, Ukraine
Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992) - Le Grand Tango (1988) with Armand Morelli, violoncello
Momoko Komori, Japan
Albert Zabel (1834-1910) - Fantasie on a Theme from Gounod’s opera Faust

Yi Wei Ng & Chew Yi, Singapore
Caroline Lizotte (1969) - Stellae Saltantem (harp duo)

Moderators

Ernestine Stoop

Ernestine Stoop studied with Edward Witsenburg in Amsterdam. She then studied for two years with the legendary harpist Pierre Jamet. She is harp-professor at the Royal College of Music in the Hague. She initiated the 3rd and 5th European Harp Symposia (1995 and 2001) in Amsterdam... Read More →

Presenters

Itheia Bong

Itheia Bong, who has recently turned 8, absolutely loves music. Under the tutelage of Ms Katryna Tan and Ms Cheryl Tan of Rave Harps, Itheia started performing on the harp at age 4. Itheia’s harp journey has taken her to Germany for solo, ensemble, and orchestra performances, and... Read More →

Meredith Hau

UK-based harpist Meredith Hau studies with Gabriella Dall’Olio, and is a music scholar at Godolphin & Latymer School in London. Meredith achieved distinctions in ABRSM Grade 8 harp and piano at age 10, was harpist with the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain for four... Read More →

Viktoria Smetana

Focus on Youth

Viktoria Smetana is a versatile harpist with a passion for exploring a wide range of styles and genres. She began studying the harp at the age of seven in Kharkiv, Ukraine, under the guidance of Larisa Klievtsova. Since then, she has been recognized as a laureate of numerous Ukrainian... Read More →

Momoko Komori

Momoko Komori attended the Toho Gakuen Music High School and Toho Gakuen College, studying with Kazuko Shinozaki, Ayako Shinozaki, and Mieko Inoue. Currently she studies at the Norwegian Academy of Music with Isabelle Perrin. Momoko is the recipient of multiple awards including from... Read More →

Ng Yi Wei

Focus on Youth

Ng Yi Wei was born and raised in Penang, Malaysia, and migrated to Singapore at 13, where she is a year 12 student in an international school. Her parents instilled an early interest in music, and her harp lessons, beginning at the age of 6, under Rave Harps Academy. Ng Yi chose the... Read More →

Armand Morelli di Popolo

Cello, Focus on Youth

Cellist Armand Morelli di Popolo is completing the Bachelor of Music degree this year at the Amsterdam Conservatory. Since 2023, Armand has participated in the orchestra academy of the Jong Metropole Orkest in the Netherlands, and in 2024 as solo cellist. Armand participates in projects... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 14:30 - 15:15 EDT
Grand Ballroom Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel

Performance, Focus on Youth

15:00 EDT

How the Light Gets In: Poetry in Music

Friday July 31, 2026 15:00 - 15:50 EDT

Birchwood Ballroom

Cosmic Fragments: Words and Music About Life, the Universe, and Everything (Amy Nam): A sweeping, whimsical, and sincere survey of human experience and the cosmos, “Cosmic Fragments” pairs poetry with contemporary harp works exploring impermanence, wonder, and possibility.

The Listening of Light — a poetic study for solo harp (Uno Alexander Vesje): A new minimalist project for solo harp by Uno Vesje, inspired by light’s shifting forms, exploring resonance and color in a space of deep listening.

Presenters

Amy Nam

American harpist and composer Amy Nam uses music to ignite curiosity and express wonder. 2nd Prize Winner of the 2024 Dutch Harp Festival World Harp Competition, she was also named 2025 Guest Composer at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. Her award-winning music has been featured... Read More →

Uno Alexander Vesje

@unoharp

Uno Alexander Vesje is a Norwegian harpist and composer with a distinctive artistic voice. Combining artistic curiosity with a rich and varied sonic palette, he creates music that resonates emotionally and invites reflection — challenging conventions and encouraging deeper listening... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 15:00 - 15:50 EDT
Birchwood Ballroom

Performance, Solo Harp

16:30 EDT

Exploring Turkish Tunes

Friday July 31, 2026 16:30 - 17:00 EDT

Osgoode West

Would you like to learn Turkish tunes with interesting scales, melodic behavior, uneven rhythmic patterns and tune your harp microtonally? Then this workshop is for you.

Seymen Özdeniz, percussion accompaniment

Presenters

Şirin Pancaroğlu

The Turkish Harp

Praised by the Washington Post as a “major talent of international caliber”, Şirin Pancaroğlu is equallyactive in traditional Turkish music, improvisation and contemporary music, as she is in mainstreamharp. With concerts in over 35 countries and 14 recording releases, she... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 16:30 - 17:00 EDT
Osgoode West

Participatory Workshop, History & Practice

16:30 EDT

Research into the Validity of Therapeutic Harp Music and Opportunities in the Field

Friday July 31, 2026 16:30 - 17:15 EDT

Willow East

In this workshop we will cover the science and research why live therapeutic music is effective and explore training and job opportunities in the field.

Presenters

Barbara Lepke-Sims

USAIHC

Barbara Lepke-Sims is a professional harpist in Denver, CO, after graduating in 1978 from The Juilliard School with her MM under Susann McDonald. Also interested in arts management, Barb earned her MBA in 1986. In 2017 Barbara was awarded the AHS Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2019... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 16:30 - 17:15 EDT
Willow East

Lecture, Health & Wellbeing

16:30 EDT

International Transformations 🍁

Friday July 31, 2026 16:30 - 17:30 EDT

Birchwood Ballroom

Italy in Edinburgh (Julia Seager Scott & Alison Melville): In the mid-1600's, Italy was all the rage. Other countries adopted their artistic tastes and this led to some interesting developments, especially in music. We explore this topic with our instruments: harp and wooden flutes and recorders. Listen for some Vivaldi appearing in a Scottish folk tune!

Obras latinoamericanas para arpa (Latin American works for Harp) (Juan Riveros): A showcase program of diverse works highlighting the aesthetics of Alba Quintanilla, Arturo Márquez, Mario Ruiz Armengol, and María Suárez.

Presenters

Julia Seager-Scott

Born and raised in Toronto, Julia Seager-Scott has had the privilege of leading a multi-harp, multi-genre freelance career. Starting at age 8 on the lever harp, Julia switched to concert grand pedal harp at age 12, studying with Judy Loman. Now in her 50s Julia also plays baroque... Read More →

Alison Melville

Flute, recorder

Alison Melville’s career as a performer on historical flutes and recorders has taken her across North America, Scandinavia, Europe, Asia and New Zealand. She performs with the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, is a former member of Toronto Consort and Ensemble Polaris, and was Artistic... Read More →

Juan Riveros

Michigan State University

Juan Riveros serves as the AHS Diversity Coordinator and the IDEA Committee (Co-Chair). Riveros is currently the Associate Professor of Harp at Michigan State University, and Principal Harpist of the Flint Symphony Orchestra and Detroit Opera.

Friday July 31, 2026 16:30 - 17:30 EDT
Birchwood Ballroom

Lecture, Lecture Recital

17:00 EDT

Concept to Concert: Composing for Harp Quartet

Friday July 31, 2026 17:00 - 17:45 EDT

Grand East

Chicago Harp Quartet alongside composers Alfredo Rolando Ortiz and Tristan Coelho demonstrate and discuss the collaborative process of composing, workshopping, and performing new works for harp quartet.

Presenters

Emily Granger

Chicago Harp Quartet

Praised for her “impressive virtuosity and eye-opening versatility" by Limelight Magazine, harpist Emily Granger is Principal Harp with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, on the faculty at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and a member of Ensemble Q. She has performed as guest Principal Harp with orchestras in Australia and the U.S. She is a graduate of Indiana University's Jacobs School... Read More →

Catherine Litaker

Chicago Harp Quartet

Catherine Yom Litaker is a versatile solo, chamber, and orchestral harpist, serving as Principal Harpist of the San Luis Obispo Symphony. She has performed internationally across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, and with ensembles including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and... Read More →

Alfredo Rolando Ortiz

Alfredo Rolando Ortiz was born in Cuba. His family immigrated to Venezuela,when Alfredo was 11. He studied the Venezuelan folk harp with his Fernando Guerrero, adding studies in the Paraguayan harp with Alberto Romero. Mr. Ortiz performs folk, classical, and popular music from many... Read More →

Ensembles

Chicago Harp Quartet

The Chicago Harp Quartet, described by Harp Column Magazine as “the quartet that put harp quartets on the map,” is the leading harp ensemble in the United States. Founded in 2012, CHQ has performed at major venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Ravinia Festival... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 17:00 - 17:45 EDT
Grand East

Lecture, Composition

17:00 EDT

Les signes de l'arc: A Guide to the Contemporary Harp

Friday July 31, 2026 17:00 - 17:50 EDT

Grand Ballroom

The association Les signes de l’arc is dedicated to organising harp related events, creation, combining contemporary and experimental music figures (commissions, concerts, recordings, conferences, editions). The association supports the Collegium21 project, composer masterclasses and competition on contemporary harp repertoire.

Presenters

Laurence Bancaud

Laurence Bancaud obtained a First Prize in Harp at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris in 1993 and holds the Master of Music degree in Musicology from the University of Tours. She is President and co-founder of the association Les Signes de l'Arc; co-artistic... Read More →

Hélène Breschand

Les signes de l’arc

Performer, composer, improviser… harpist Hélène Breschand 's approach stems from a collaborative process that unites sound, gesture, and vibration in a resolute engagement with the world. Born in Paris, her solo career began at the age of twenty. She works with numerous composers... Read More →

Eloïse Labaume

Les Signes De L'arc

Eloïse Labaume, harpist, vocalist, and co-artistic director of Bazar Électrique, shapes today’s music through vibrant performance and creation. Trained at Musikene, the Hochschule der Künste Bern, and the Paris CNSM (DAI-Post master), she collaborates with major contemporary... Read More →

Ensembles

Les signes de l'arc

The association Les signes de l’arc is dedicated to organising harp related events, creation, and combining contemporary and experimental music figures (commissions, concerts, recordings, conferences, editions). The association supports the Collegium21 project: composer masterclasses... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 17:00 - 17:50 EDT
Grand Ballroom Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel

Participatory Workshop, Composition

19:15 EDT

Music Generation Laois Harp Ensemble

Friday July 31, 2026 19:15 - 19:45 EDT

Metropolitan United Church

Composition process, original music created by children and young people in collaboration with a professional musician. The program includes excerpted movements from The Day of Seven Storms and White Horse.
Aoife Buckley
Emily Breslin
Kiêu Conroy
May Jo Faherty
Lucy Molloy
Eunice Grobler
Ciara Kennedy

Presenters

Siobhan Buckley

Music Generation Laois

Siobhan Buckley is a harper from Co Cork who has performed nationally and internationally at festivals including Electric Picnic. Siobhan has collaborated and performed with various groups and musicians, and features on singer songwriter John Spillane’s album ‘One Hundred Snow... Read More →

Ensembles

Music Generation Laois Harp Ensemble

Established in 2015,the Music Generation Laois Harp Ensemble, directed by Siobhan Buckley has collaborated with Catriona McKay, Michael Rooney, Maeve Gilchrist and Ernestine Healy. Live performances include a Tour of Japan, US Ambassador to Ireland’s Residence, Edinburgh International... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 19:15 - 19:45 EDT
Metropolitan United Church 56 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M5C 2Z3, Canada

Performance, Harp Ensemble

20:00 EDT

Concerto Night with Full Orchestra 🍁

Friday July 31, 2026 20:00 - 22:00 EDT

Metropolitan United Church

Sisters Joana and Elena Daunytė perform Lithuanian composer Jonas Jurkūnas, On Being for solo harp and solo violoncello. The iconic Judy Loman performs Kelly Marie Murphy's powerful concerto, And Then At Night I Paint the Stars, commissioned by the CBC in 2002 to mark Judy's retirement from the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Caroline Lizotte & Etienne Ratthe perform Lizotte's Concerto Techno. Isabelle Moretti performs Gabriel Pierne's harmonically rich and evocative Concertstucke Op. 39, for harp and orchestra.

Presenters

Sylvain Blassel

Elena Daunytė

Cello

Lithuanian cellist Elena Daunytė is a Grand Prix winner and international competition laureate, a member of the Čiurlionis Quartet, and of the ensemble Regnum Musicale. She lectures at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. She has performed as soloist in Europe, Asia, and... Read More →

Joana Daunytė

Všį Arfos Menas

Dr. Joana Daunytė is harpist of the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, Associate Professor of Harp Performance at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, and director of Arfos menas (Harp Art), an organization dedicated to performance, education, and new repertoire. A soloist... Read More →

Judy Loman

A prominent soloist and teacher, Judy Loman studied with Carlos Salzedo at the Curtis Institute of Music. She received Canada’s Juno Award, the Canada Council’s Grand Prix du disque Canadien, and in 2015 was appointed to the Order of Canada. Judy Loman served as principal harpist... Read More →

Caroline Lizotte

Caroline Lizotte is the Composer-in-Residence for One Harp World. She is a Québécoise harpist and award-winning composer whose works have become pillars of the contemporary harp repertoire. An associate composer of the Canadian Music Centre, her music – distributed through les... Read More →

Isabelle Moretti

Camac Harps

Isabelle Moretti is an iconic figure in today’s harp world, captivating audiences worldwide with her charisma and powerful yet refined playing. A highly respected teacher, she shares her passion through international masterclasses and teaches at the Conservatoire National Supérieur... Read More →

Étienne Ratthé

Étienne Ratthé is a multi-instrumentalist and a live electronic act musician who recorded and toured with many French Canadian pop singers. As the music director of Québec Issime, a production company whose shows were seen by more than a million spectators, he leads his... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 20:00 - 22:00 EDT
Metropolitan United Church 56 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M5C 2Z3, Canada

Concert, Concerto

22:00 EDT

Exploring the Harp in Jazz through Standards and Original Compositions

Friday July 31, 2026 22:00 - 22:30 EDT

Grand Ballroom

Exploring the harp in jazz through standards and original compositions, this session blends classical forms with improvisation, highlighting the instrument’s expressive potential across harmonic, rhythmic, and stylistic boundaries. This session explores the creative fusion of classical and jazz traditions through original compositions for harp that incorporate improvisation as a central element. Drawing from both structured classical forms and the spontaneity of jazz, the performance offers a fresh perspective on the harp’s expressive potential beyond conventional boundaries. The presentation will include live performances of original pieces that demonstrate how improvisational techniques can coexist with through-composed structures. Each piece reflects a unique synthesis of styles, from rich harmonic textures rooted in classical music to
rhythmically vibrant and harmonically adventurous passages inspired by jazz.

Presenters

Klara Poznachowska

Klara Poznachowska is a harpist and composer from Poland with Ukrainian heritage, known for her versatility across many forms and genres of music. She has performed both in Poland and internationally, collaborating with orchestras and choirs. In 2020, Klara attended Berklee College... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 22:00 - 22:30 EDT
Grand Ballroom Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel

Performance, Contemporary Styles