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Elizabeth Hainen is an internationally acclaimed harpist and educator serving as Adjunct Faculty in the Instrumental Studies department at Temple University's Boyer College of Music and Dance, while also maintaining a faculty position at the Curtis Institute of Music. She has held the position of principal harp with The Philadelphia Orchestra for over two decades, establishing herself as a leading figure in classical music performance.
Her educational foundation began with harp lessons at age 10 in Toledo, Ohio, followed by advanced studies under Susann McDonald at the Indiana University School of Music, where she earned a performance certificate and two performance degrees.
Hainen's artistic focus centers on expanding the harp repertoire through commissioning new works and showcasing the instrument's versatility. She has premiered groundbreaking compositions including Melinda Wagner's 'Pan Journal' with the Juilliard String Quartet and Tan Dun's 'Nu Shu: Secret Songs of Women', the latter performed with The Philadelphia Orchestra under Yannick Nézet-Séguin during a tour in China. Her performances consistently highlight the harp's expressive range across orchestral, chamber, and solo contexts, earning praise for 'silky transparency' and 'earthy solidarity' from major publications.
Her accolades include:
- American String Teachers Association competition winner
- Chicago Symphony Civic Orchestra competition winner
- Silver Medalist at the First USA International Harp Competition
As an educator, Hainen founded the Saratoga Harp Colony in 2004, which continues today as the Elizabeth Hainen Harp Colony through Curtis' Summerfest. Through her nonprofit Lyra Society, she provides extensive music education outreach to urban school children in Philadelphia and surrounding areas, demonstrating significant commitment to pedagogy beyond traditional academic settings.
Hainen maintains a rigorous international performance schedule, having appeared as soloist with major orchestras including the Adelaide Symphony, Hong Kong Philharmonic, and Vancouver Symphony. Her critically acclaimed discography features five solo recordings such as 'Music for Solo Harp' and 'Harp Concertos', with the latter receiving a four-star review from The Telegraph for showcasing 'the tonal range of Hainen's playing, coupled with her technical finesse and sense of style'.
