One Harp World: Full Schedule

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08:30 EDT

Move Well, Play Better: #5 Virtuosity Workshop

Sunday August 2, 2026 08:30 - 09:20 EDT

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 #5 Virtuosity Workshop - Using harpist volunteers, we will look at releasing tension and imbalance while playing, to improve freedom, flow and sound quality.

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.

Sunday August 2, 2026 08:30 - 09:20 EDT
Willow East

Participatory Workshop, Health & Wellbeing

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

11:00 EDT

Young Composers Project: Mini Movie Challenge and Improv Session

Sunday August 2, 2026 11:00 - 12:00 EDT

Willow East

The AHS Young Composers Project – Mini Movie Challenge invites everyone to explore new ways of combining sound and image for One Harp World. Create a 10-20 second mini movie and compose or improvise an original soundtrack to accompany it.
Submissions will be showcased in a premiere-style presentation on Sunday, August 2nd at 11:00 a.m. EDT during the Young Composers Project Video Challenge & Improv Session. The challenge is open to all ages, levels, and styles, and participation is welcome whether or not you attend One Harp World in person. For inspiration, we invite you to explore the creative process from our first Mini Movie Challenge. Submit here by May 1st, 2026.

Presenters

Rosanna Chiu

American Harp Society

Rosanna Chiu is a performer and teacher based in Vancouver, Canada. She is harp faculty and ensemble director at the Vancouver Academy of Music and leads student harp ensembles at different ages and levels. She enjoys writing harp arrangements, and her ensembles often play works by... 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 →

Sunday August 2, 2026 11:00 - 12:00 EDT
Willow East

Multimedia

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