The USA International Harp Competition is one of the most prestigious and important music competitions in the world, founded in 1989 by world-renowned harpist and pedagogue Susann McDonald

Susann McDonald

Susann McDonald is an American-born classical harpist. In addition to a successful performing career, she has made a number of recordings and held significant academic and organizational posts.-Life:...

. It is the only international harp competition held in the United States, and it is one of only seven music competitions in the United States to belong to the World Federation of International Music Competitions

World Federation of International Music Competitions

The World Federation of International Music Competitions is an organization based in Geneva, Switzerland that maintains a network of the internationally recognized organisations that aim to discover the most promising young talents in classical music through public competition...

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The Competition is held every three years at the Jacobs School of Music

Jacobs School of Music

The Jacobs School of Music of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, is a music conservatory established in 1921. Until 2005, it was known as the Indiana University School of Music...

 on the campus of Indiana University

Indiana University

Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...

 and is open to harpists of all nationalities ages 16 to 32. Since its inception, over 300 harpists from 19 countries have competed for this coveted title. In addition to helping launch careers, the Competition offers impressive prizes including a commemorative, Concert Grand Gold Harp designed and built specifically for the USA IHC by Lyon & Healy Harps. Cash prizes are also awarded through eighth place.

2010 Competition

First Prize – Agnès Clément

Second Prize – Rino Kageyama

Third Prize – Vasilisa Lushchevskaya

2007 Competition

First Prize – Maria Krushevskaya

Maria Krushevskaya

Maria Krushevskaya - Gold Medalist of the 2007 USA International Harp Competition, where she was awarded the 'Jan Jennings' Prize for best performance of Pierné’s Concertstück for Harp and Orchestra, the Mary L...

Second Prize – Hanako Hirano

Third Prize – Coline-Marie Orliac

Coline-Marie Orliac

Coline-Marie Orliac, HarpSince her first public performance at age seven, French harpist Coline-Marie Orliac has captivated audiences in over fifteen countries with her flawless technique, rich tone and compelling artistry...

2004 Competition

First Prize – Emmanuel Ceysson

Second Prize – Julie Ann Smith

Third Prize – Lavinia Meijer

Lavinia Meijer

Lavinia Meijer is a Dutch harpist.-Education:When she was 11 years old, Lavinia was accepted by Erika Waardenburg to study at the Young Talent Department of the Utrecht Conservatory...

2001 Competition

First Prize – Dan Yu

Second Prize – Maria Luisa Rayán

Third Prize - Julie Ann Smith

1998 Competition

First Prize - Xavier de Maistre

Second Prize – Maria Luisa Rayán

Third Prize - Kyo-jin Lee

1995 Competition

First Prize - Gaëlle Vandernoot

Second Prize – Marie-Pierre Langlamet

Third Prize – Gaëlle Thouvenin

1992 Competition

First Prize - Jana Boušková

Second Prize – Beatrice Guillermin

Third Prize – Nika Riabchinenko

1989 Competition

First Prize - Maria Casale

Second Prize - Elizabeth Hainen

Third Prize - Kirsten Agresta

Kirsten Agresta

Kirsten Agresta is an American harpist based in New York City. She received her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from Indiana University Bloomington in Harp Performance. Agresta was Bronze Medal winner in the 1989 USA International Harp Competition...