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THANK YOU

For making the 2025 Toronto International Harp Festival unforgettable. Your presence and passion truly made our inaugural year extra special.

The success of the festival would not have been possible without our dedicated and inspiring audience. Your commitment to the arts nurtures talent, strengthens community, and ensures that events like ours continue to grow and thrive.​

 

With you as our pillar of support, we look forward to bringing even more incredible music and cultural exchange to the stage in 2026. Stay connected and join us on this exciting journey by following us on social media @iharpfest.

DAY
ONE

The 2025 Toronto International Harp Festival opened with "25 Harps, One Sound", transforming the stage into a breathtaking sea of harps at the Aga Khan Museum Rose Garden. The concert began with a powerful tribute to reconciliation, featuring Indigenous singer Claire Tillapaugh and young Canadian harpist Noelle Simpson performing on a Totem Pole-inspired harp crafted by Korean Canadian artist Hoi Kwon Choi. This symbolic opening reflected fully the multicultural fabric of Canada. The international harp ensemble performed a rich and diverse program, including a rare arrangement of Debussy’s La Cathédrale Engloutie by Salzedo, Gershwin’s Prelude No. 2, and the world premiere of ”Step Into the Light” written by Hungarian Canadian composer Gergo Teleki for the occasion. The concert concluded with four lively South American selections by Alfredo Rolando Ortiz. The opening concert was met with enthusiastic applause and heartfelt appreciation, as the audience responded warmly to the artistry and cultural dialogue on display.

DAY
TWO

The second day of the Toronto International Harp Festival was a celebration of legacy, innovation, and artistic excellence. The day was filled with a rich tapestry of music, history, and education, spotlighting the harp’s past, present, and future. A vibrant mix of presentations, performances, and masterclasses drew harp enthusiasts, students, and professionals from around the globe. The day began with an emotional and enlightening Grandjany Exhibition led by Kathleen Bride, esteemed harp professor at the Eastman School of Music. Her tribute to mentor Marcel Grandjany was brought to life through heartfelt performances by both current and former students, offering a poignant reflection on Grandjany’s enduring impact on harp pedagogy and performance. French historian Michel Faul followed with "Re-discovering Bochsa," a compelling deep dive into the often-overlooked works of Nicholas Charles Bochsa. His talk, paired with a performance by New York harpist Frances Duffy, gave audiences a renewed appreciation for the composer’s contribution to the harp repertoire. A highlight for students and educators alike, Catherine Michel’s European Harp Legacy masterclass offered a sweeping overview of the continent’s harp traditions. Her expert commentary and demonstration connected historical context with modern technique, underscoring the instrument’s cultural evolution. In the afternoon, aspiring professionals benefited from the Orchestra Audition Panel, featuring Michel, Duffy, and Elizabeth Volpé Bligh. Harp students from prestigious institutions like Eastman and Juilliard received invaluable guidance on navigating the high-stakes world of orchestral auditions. The day concluded on a high note with the Finale Concert, where Alexander Boldachev (electric harp, Zurich) and Alexandr Misko (guitar, Berlin) stunned audiences with an electrifying genre-blending set. Their boundary-pushing performance fused classical elegance with modern innovation, embodying the festival’s forward-thinking spirit. Throughout the day, attendees also explored a range of exhibitions, including displays by Lyon & Healy and Salvi Harps, a fascinating Historical Exhibit featuring a harp once owned by Marie Antoinette, and a Harp Care Booth hosted by technician Manuel Gamalinda.

SUMMER INSTITUTE

Our Summer Institute, held from July 7 to 11, was a whirlwind of music, mentorship, and meaningful growth. From learning with legends to performing with heart, our 18 talented young participants — who joined us from around the world — immersed themselves in a week of inspiration and artistic development. A heartfelt thank you to our extraordinary faculty: Catherine Michel, Kathleen Bride, Frances Duffy, Joel von Lerber, and Andrew Chan — your wisdom, generosity, and passion lit up every session.

 

Special thanks to Manuel Gamalinda of Harp Care for his insightful and practical harp maintenance workshop — an invaluable addition to the week. We’re dreaming big for the 2026 Summer Institute, stay tuned!

2025 ARTIST SPOTLGHT

Harp Concerto Night 
with National Broadcasting Orchestra

Maestro Ken Hsieh led the audience on a sweeping musical journey with the National Broadcasting Orchestra featuring 5 harp soloists at the Aga Khan Museum - Nanji Family Foundation Auditorium.

After a delightful introduction with Gossec‘s Symphonie Concertante for two harps and strings performed by two top students from the world-renowned Eastman School of Music, legendary French harpist Catherine Michel swept us off our feet with a stunning and rare performance of Bochsa’s Concerto di Camera. 

Charming soloist Joel von Lerber of Berlin captivated listeners with his luminous interpretation of François-Adrien Boieldieu’s Harp Concerto in C major. 

Madame Michel then returned to the stage with Canadian flutist Suzanne Shulman and gave the world-premiere performance of “Il Passaggio” by renowned Parisian composer Richard Galliano for Flute, Harp & Orchestra. The audience was deeply moved to witness the duo’s reunion for the first time after 55 years. 

Canadian harpist and the Artistic director of iHarpFest, Andrew Chan, concluded the very special concert with Saint-Saens’ Morceau de Concert in G major to a standing ovation.

2026
TORONTO INTERNATIONAL HARP FESTIVAL COMING SOON

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