Elizabeth Hainen Named Artistic Director of the USA International Harp Competition
The Curtis faculty member and principal harpist of The Philadelphia Orchestra will lead the world-renowned competition as it prepares for the 13th triennial competition in 2025
Curtis congratulates Elizabeth Hainen, Maryjane Mayhew Barton Chair in Harp Studies and principal harpist of The Philadelphia Orchestra, on her appointment as the new artistic director of the USA International Harp Competition. Founded in 1989 by Susann McDonald, this prestigious triennial harp competition—sponsored by Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington and Lyon and Healy Harps—recognizes the accomplishments and fosters the careers of gifted young harpists worldwide. Accompanying the announcement of Ms. Hainen’s new leadership role, harpist Emmanuel Ceysson has also been named associate artistic director of the competition.
Hailed by the Washington Post for her “unusual presence with silky transparency” and by the New York Times for her “earthy solidarity,” Ms. Hainen’s virtuosic performances and diverse programming choices have thrilled audiences across the world and locally with The Philadelphia Orchestra for over twenty-five years. In addition to her role at Curtis, she also serves as the artistic director for Harp at Temple University’s Boyer School of Music. Ms. Hainen has appeared as a concert soloist with the City of London Sinfonia, Hong Kong Philharmonic, Bulgaria National Radio Orchestra, the Mexico State Symphony, and she has appeared regularly with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. As founding artistic director of the Lyra Society, an organization to promote new works for the harp and educate young harpists, she has provided educational outreach to hundreds of school children in urban Philadelphia.
Read the official statement about Ms. Hainen’s appointment HERE.
Visit Elizabeth Hainen’s official website.