Our Story
The story of the USA International Harp Competition (USAIHC) began in 1989, sparked by the vision of world-renowned harpist Susann McDonald, Distinguished Professor Emerita of Harp at Indiana University, alongside co-founder Linda Wood Rollo. Inspired by the excellence of her teacher Henriette Renié, McDonald set out to establish a premier, world-class stage in America that could discover, celebrate, and launch the careers of the world’s most exceptional, hardworking young harpists. What they established in Bloomington, Indiana, has grown into one of the most prestigious and unique musical events on the global stage. The solo competition has welcomed over 500 elite competitors from more than 30 countries, establishing an unmatched legacy of artistic excellence and career-launching opportunities.
In the decades since its inception, USAIHC continues to grow in its commitment to inspire, promote, and sustain artistic excellence on the harp. The first Composition Contest took place in 2002, and the winning works were included in the required repertoire for the 2003 USA International Harp Competition. The contest was named posthumously in honor of Dr. Ruth Inglefield, whose leadership and advocacy for contemporary harp music shaped the contest during its first six cycles. The Ruth Inglefield Composition Contest (RICC) continues to receive as many as 100 works per cycle, reflecting its pivotal role in the creation of new harp compositions.
Susann McDonald and Linda Wood Rollo
Harp Start, USAIHC’s foremost education program, began introducing schoolchildren to the harp in 2007. The program was spearheaded and shaped by Elżbieta Szmyt, a student of Susann McDonald and a passionate pedagogue herself. Harp Start brings interactive harp performances and music education to schools, libraries, retirement communities, healthcare venues, service clubs, and other organizations throughout Indiana.
USAIHC began presenting its concert series to the Bloomington and Indianapolis community in 2018. Since then, more than 20 renowned harpists have shared their artistry with Hoosiers of all ages, enriching the Indiana arts landscape and bringing world-class performances to local stages. Our unique post-concert receptions, open to all attendees, carry on our founders’ legacy of hospitable connection and international friendship.
Through this combination of world-class competition, new music, educational outreach, and local performances, the USAIHC continues to fulfill the vision its founders set in motion in 1989.
Today, the organization is led by Artistic Director Elizabeth Hainen, Associate Director Emmanuel Ceysson, and a multi-disciplinary board of directors headed by President & Chair Barbara W. Lepke-Sims.
The USA International Harp Competition advances the harp on the world stage by setting the highest standards of excellence, inspiring the next generation of artists, and strengthening the global community that connects musicians and audiences through the harp.
Vision
The USA International Harp Competition exists to inspire, promote, and sustain artistic excellence while fostering a broader appreciation of the harp and its repertoire. We enrich international and community relationships by producing our harp competition, concert series, education programs, and composition contest.