One Harp World: Full Schedule

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09:00 EDT

Forging Your Own Way In Music; Finding the Freedom

Sunday August 2, 2026 09:00 - 09:45 EDT

Delve into taking risks, sharing vulnerability, expectations, mindset and creative process to unpick what you really want from your journey with music and the harp.

Presenters

Emily Sanzaro

Emily Sanzaro is a Tasmanian harpist, vocalist, violinist and electronic loop artist known for her innovative, genre blending approach. She creates original compositions, bold arrangements and experimental improvisations. Her annual six week solo residencies at MONA—Australia’s... Read More →

Sunday August 2, 2026 09:00 - 09:45 EDT
Willow Willow West + Willow Centre

Lecture, Health & Wellbeing

09:00 EDT

Highlights from The Turkish Harp

Sunday August 2, 2026 09:00 - 09:45 EDT

Grand East

Şirin Pancaroğlu performs and lectures on selections from The Turkish Harp Music Collection, featuring six instrumental genres, six makams, seven rhythmic patterns, microtonal tuning, ornamentation, and improvisation.

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 →

Sunday August 2, 2026 09:00 - 09:45 EDT
Grand East

Lecture, Lecture Recital

09:00 EDT

In Search of Clarity: a Discussion on Effective Strategies for Harp Notation.

Sunday August 2, 2026 09:00 - 09:45 EDT

Osgoode West

This panel explores conflicting practices and challenges in harp notation, offering strategies from harpist-composers and an expert engraver to improve clarity and communication.

Presenters

Matthew Karas

Matthew Karas is a Toronto-based music engraver and editor specializing in new music and re-engravings of classic works. He has prepared materials for hundreds of composers and organizations, including Boosey & Hawkes, Dunvagen Music Publishers, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the... Read More →

Danielle Kuntz

Danielle Kuntz is a harpist and educator whose work centers on contemporary music and harp notation practices. She has mentored numerous composers through workshops, residencies, and individual instruction, and her educational YouTube channel on harp writing is widely used by composers... Read More →

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 →

Elisabeth Plank

The internationally sought-after harpist Elisabeth Plank performs as a soloist & chamber musician in renowned concert halls and festivals around the world and has released four critically acclaimed solo albums. She was "Great Talent" of Wiener Konzerthaus, is a „Next Generation... Read More →

Joseph Rebman

Harpist and composer Joseph Rebman is based in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he directs the harp program for students in grades 4 through 12, at the magnet k-12 School for the Creative and Performing Arts. Rebman is also professor of harp at Northern Kentucky University, principal harpist... Read More →

Sunday August 2, 2026 09:00 - 09:45 EDT
Osgoode West

Lecture, Composition

09:30 EDT

Beyond the Strings: Managing Burnout, Anxiety, and Pressure as a Harpist

Sunday August 2, 2026 09:30 - 10:15 EDT

Willow East

Where brain science and cognitive psychology meet to explain performance pressure and burnout — plus realistic, research-backed practices for sustainable artistry.

Presenters

Kiernan O'Mara

Kiernan O’Mara is a harpist, psychiatry researcher, certified medical assistant, and mental health advocate. She is the founder of Musician Mental Health, offering personalized, one-on-one performance psychology coaching for musicians. Drawing on her background in neuroscience and... Read More →

Sunday August 2, 2026 09:30 - 10:15 EDT
Willow East

Lecture, Health & Wellbeing

10:15 EDT

Harp in Video Games: The Infinite Expansion of the Harp's Canonical Repertoire

Sunday August 2, 2026 10:15 - 10:50 EDT

Willow

Exploring the prominence of harp in video game scores, and potential for game music to contribute to the expansion of the instrument’s core repertoire.

Presenters

Paul Nicolaou

“Rapidly emerging as one of Australia’s most exciting young artists” (ABC Classic), Paul Nicolaou is a harpist-composer based in Sydney, Australia. An Honours graduate from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Paul studied under internationally celebrated harpist Alice Giles... Read More →

Sunday August 2, 2026 10:15 - 10:50 EDT
Willow Willow West + Willow Centre

Lecture, Contemporary Styles

11:30 EDT

Everyday Harp Care: Exploding a Harp

Sunday August 2, 2026 11:30 - 12:20 EDT

Osgoode West

Exploding a Harp: Taking one apart to identify parts and materials.

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.

Sunday August 2, 2026 11:30 - 12:20 EDT
Osgoode West

Lecture

11:45 EDT

Become a Better Sight reader, Part 2: Jazz Styles, & Beyond

Sunday August 2, 2026 11:45 - 12:30 EDT

Willow

Felice Pomeranz shares resources and processes that support building confident and reliable improvisation skills. Session II includes a brief review of the materials presented in Session 1, Classical and Popular styles.

Presenters

Felice Pomeranz

American Harp Society/world Harp Congress

Felice Pomeranz is Professor of Harp at Berklee College of Music, in Boston, Massachusetts. She is an author, performer, presenter, and instructor worldwide. Pomeranz directs The Gilded Harps, a music consortium of the best harpists and instrumentalists in New England. She is active... Read More →

Sunday August 2, 2026 11:45 - 12:30 EDT
Willow Willow West + Willow Centre

Lecture, History & Practice

11:45 EDT

Susann McDonald: The World of the Harp

Sunday August 2, 2026 11:45 - 12:30 EDT

Grand East

Perspectives on Susann McDonald's singular achievements to create community and excellence connecting harpists and audiences through the harp.

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

Jana Boušková

Jana Boušková is one of the world’s leading harpists, acclaimed for her extraordinary technique, musical depth, and individuality. She is Professor of Harp at the Royal College of Music and the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, and Principal Harpist of the Czech Philharmonic... Read More →

Kathy Kienzle

Kathy Kienzle studied with Marcel Grandjany at The Juilliard School, and with Susann McDonald. She placed third in the Sixth International Harp Competition in Israel. Kathy was principal harp of the Minnesota Orchestra from 1993-2020, gave the world premiere of Einojuhani Rautavaara’s... Read More →

Mieko Inoue

World Harp Congress

Mieko Inoue graduated from Toho Gakuen School of Music completing its advanced program studying with Josef Molnar. She studied at Indiana University earning the Performers Diploma with Susann McDonald. Mieko is Vice President for Asia of the World Harp Congress, currently a visiting... Read More →

Kaori Ogawa

Harpist Kaori Ogawa graduated from Indiana University, The Juilliard School and The Curtis Institute of Music. She is aboard member of the USAIHC and has served as an adjudicator at several International Harp Competitions. Kaori has won numerous competitions and has given many recitals... 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 →

Ann Yeung

Ann Yeung has premiered numerous compositions and is the author of articles published worldwide, particularly on the works of Henriette Renié. She is a Past President of the American Harp Society and former Editor of the World Harp Congress Review. Ann is Professor of Harp and Chair of the Strings Area at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her students are international and national competition prize winners, and leaders in secondary school music education, arts administration and entrepreneurial leadership, post sec... Read More →

Sunday August 2, 2026 11:45 - 12:30 EDT
Grand East

Lecture, Panel Discussion

14:30 EDT

African American Spirituals for Harp Ensemble

Sunday August 2, 2026 14:30 - 15:00 EDT

Grand East

An exploration of ways to arrange folk music for harp ensembles of all skill levels utilizing a collection of African American spirituals for harp ensemble.

Presenters

Maurice Draughn

Maurice Draughn is currently a freelance harpist performing with several orchestras throughout Southeastern Michigan and Western Ontario. As an arranger and composer specializing in music for harp and chorus, Maurice regularly receives commissions further expanding the harp canon... Read More →

Sunday August 2, 2026 14:30 - 15:00 EDT
Grand East

Lecture, Lecture Recital

15:15 EDT

Singing Strings: The Aesthetic and Dramatic Role of the Harp in Rossini

Sunday August 2, 2026 15:15 - 15:45 EDT

Grand East

Why does Rossini entrust the harp with some of the most emotionally charged and poignant moments in his operas?nThis lecture explores the aesthetic, timbral, and dramaturgical functions of the instrument within the Rossinian operatic tradition.

Presenters

Alba Brundo

Fine Arts Academy Of Naples

Alba Brundo is an Italian harpist and PhD candidate in Performing Arts at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Napoli. Her work brings together performance and research, with a focus on the harp’s history, repertoire, and contemporary development. She has premiered new works and collaborates... Read More →

Sunday August 2, 2026 15:15 - 15:45 EDT
Grand East

Lecture, History & Practice

15:15 EDT

Teach to the Top: Pedagogical Insights of Elzbieta Szmyt

Sunday August 2, 2026 15:15 - 16:00 EDT

Willow East

Elzbieta will explore selected pieces and discuss challenges of choosing the right repertoire to enhance learning and help one become a better harpist and musician.

Presenters

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 →

Sunday August 2, 2026 15:15 - 16:00 EDT
Willow East

Lecture, Lecture Recital, Pedagogy