About the ArtistElizabeth Hainen has earned an international reputation as one of classical music's great harp ambassadors. Hailed by the Washington Post for her 'unusual presence with silky transparency' and by the New York Times for her 'earthy solidarity,' she has thrilled audiences throughout the world with programs showcasing the diversity—and virtuosity—of her modern-day instrument. As principal harp of The Philadelphia Orchestra for over 25 years, she has presented numerous featured performances to captivated audiences and has been praised by the PhiladelphiaInquirer for 'her ability to blend and color the musical line' and 'to find transparency in an almost timeless atmosphere.' In high demand as a guest artist, Hainen has collaborated with such eminent conductors and musicians as Joshua Bell, Hilary Hahn, Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Michael Tilson Thomas, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Michael Stern, and the Juilliard String Quartet. In addition to The Philadelphia Orchestra, she has appeared as concerto soloist with the City of London Sinfonia, the Hong Kong Philharmonic, the Bulgaria National Radio Orchestra, and the Mexico State Symphony, and she has appeared regularly with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Hainen has appearing at such festivals as the International Music Festival (Cartagena, Colombia), OZ (Australia), Lyon & Healy Harptacular (Chicago), and Shanghai Arts Festival (China). Her most recent recording, Home, was described by the Irish Times as 'utterly gorgeous.' A champion of new music, Hainen gave the United States, China, European, and Australian premieres of Nu Shu: Secret Songs of Women, written especially for her by Tan Dun. Hainen's extraordinary progress took her to the Indiana University School of Music, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree and an Artist Diploma and was awarded the prestigious Performer's Certificate as a student of Susann McDonald. Hainen holds the Maryjane Mayhew Barton Chair in Harp Studies for the Curtis Institute of Music and also teaches on the faculty at Boyer School of Music, Temple University. She is artistic director of the USA International Harp Competition.