A hearty congratulations to all finalists in the Intermediate II Division of the 2021 American Harp Society National Competition! Your commitment, passion and musicality were strikingly evident in all your performances.
Get to know the finalists below, and watch the winners' performances on our YouTube Channel.
Anna Lien
What was the most fun part of participating in the National Competition?
The most fun part about participating in the National Competition was figuring out all the different interpretations there are of the pieces that I chose, along with finding my own interpretation.
What's next for you?
I am currently looking for new pieces to play, and am actually learning a new one right now. But as soon as the music for the 2023 AHS competition comes out I will start my journey once again and hopefully we will be in person!
David Lin
Emily Howard
Did you learn anything that surprised you?
I learned more about how I handle stressful surprises. I learned how to handle my stress and put my focus on what’s really important.
What advice would you share with a harpist who is thinking about entering the National Competition in 2023?
If you put all your work into preparing for the competition, that makes you a winner already! Just work hard and believe in your hard work!
What's next for you?
I will begin my studies at Brigham Young University in Provo this fall for my bachelors in harp performance!
Eunice Park
Did you learn anything that surprised you?
Through the competition, I found that there are many ways to play one song, and that all interpretations are unique. I truly learned something new with each and every performer.
What's next for you?
I am looking forward to going back to the Juilliard School building for pre-college, and learning new pieces with Prof. Allen. I’m also excited to participate in new events and programs from AHS or the DC Chapter!
Janice Hur
Judy Liu
Did you learn anything that surprised you?
I learned so much about music, music preparation, and myself while preparing and participating in the National Competition. The pieces I played gave me more insight into the musical phrasing and the thought needed to portray the musical piece as a whole. Additionally, I discovered better-practicing methods and performance preparation methods. But most importantly, I surprised myself at my ability to perform under pressure. Through this experience, I was able to make personal breakthroughs and I will remember this experience forever. And finally, I learned that soaking my fingers in warm Epsom salt water was of super great help whenever I got finger problems and I greatly recommend it! :)
What's next for you?
Judy Liu will be entering her senior year at Basis Independent Silicon Valley in the coming fall. She will continue to practice harp and prepare for harp competitions while pursuing other passions and interests such as physics and Wushu.
Kartika Santoso
Did you learn anything that surprised you?
Something that I learned more about while preparing for the competition was how different harps make different sounds and suit different pieces better. I loved having the opportunity to try playing different harps and learning about each harp’s unique characteristics and sound, which makes each piece sound different on each harp. This also helped me learn how to adjust and control my playing for different harps to produce the best sound for each piece. Preparing for the National Competition also allowed me to learn to stretch myself physically and mentally.
What’s next for you?
I will be applying to college this fall and I am hoping to take a double major in harp!
Lynn Koschnitzke
What was your favorite part about the competition?
To me, the best part of the competition was the fact that my friends and family were able to view my performance regardless of where they are around the globe. My grandparents, who are all the way in America, were able to watch me play live while I was still in Korea. Moreover, people from my church were able to watch me play without having to be physically in the same place as I was. Even my harp teacher, who had undergone a kidney transplant, was able to watch my performance from the comfort of her hospital room.
What advice would you share with a harpist who is thinking about entering the National Competition in 2023?
I would definitely advise them to practice WITH a camera and to make sure that they already know exactly where the mic and the harp is going to be. I also think it's crucial that they practice in the location that they will play in so that they are able to sound check and get comfortable with their environment.
Marina Tiffany
Momoko Komori
Naomi Sun
What was the most fun part of participating in the National Competition?
As the competition was virtual this year, our performances were influenced by recording setups. I had a lot of fun experimenting with different microphones and different settings, as I was able to explore different kinds of tones a harp could produce - such as sounding warm, sounding bright, sounding powerful, etc.
What's next for you?
As a rising senior, I'll be focusing on my college auditions after spending three weeks in the Boston University's Tanglewood Institute summer program.
Raquel Nisi
Shaylen Joos
Did you learn anything that surprised you?
The one surprising thing I learned was how to set up my computer with an ethernet cable. I had never done it before, but I know that skill will come in handy in the future.
What's next for you?
The next thing for me is starting my freshman year at New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA. I will be studying harp performance under the teaching of Jessica Zhou. I’m super excited for the fall!
