The winner of the American Harp Society competition Young Professional division also serves as the AHS Concert Artist, receiving the opportunity and financial support to perform chapter recitals for a two year term.  $3000.00 is available per year, along with funds from the Escosa Memorial Fund.

Local chapters are encouraged to invite the Concert Artist to perform, and the AHS will pay transportation costs for the Artist.  To request a Concert Artist performance, Chapters should contact the Chairman of the Concert Artist committee.   The current Chairman of the Concert Artist Program is Karen Lindquist, who can be reached at speyquist@earthlink.net.

The Chairman will contact the Concert Artist, who will then set a date with the local chapter.  The expenses of the concert must be approved in advance by the Chairman and the AHS Bookkeeper before the concert date is finalized, and all publicity involving the concert must acknowledge the American Harp Society.

The Concert Artist for 2011-2013 is Elizabeth White Clark

Harpist Elizabeth White Clark studies harp performance at Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia under the direction of Elizabeth Hainen and Judy Loman.  Previously, Elizabeth studied with ShruDeLi Ownbey in Salt Lake City for 13 years.  Recent venues of performance include: Field Concert Hall, The Kimmel Center, Carnegie Hall, and the Temple Square Concert Series.  Achievements and honors include: First place in the American Harp Society (AHS) National Harp Competition Young Professional Division, "Concert Artist" for the AHS 2011-2013, Utah State Music Sterling Scholar Finalist, Winner in the National Lyon and Healy Scholarship Competition in 2009 and 2011, second place in the AHS Advanced Division in 2009, and first place in the AHS Intermediate II Division in 2007.  Elizabeth soloed at the World Harp Congress in Dublin, Ireland in 2005, at the USA International Harp Competition in the “Stars of Tomorrow” concert in 2004, and with the Utah Symphony, in the Salute to Youth concert in 2004.

The Concert Artist for 2009-2011 was Heidi Van Hoesen Gorton

Heidi Van Hoesen Gorton is currently the principal harpist of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra (CT). While holding a professional job, she maintains her studies as a full time student of Nancy Allen at the Juilliard School of Music.  Previously, she studied the harp with her mother, Gretchen Van Hoesen, as well as with Anne-Marguerite Michaud and Elizabeth Fontan-Binoche. Heidi has swept many first place awards including the Victor Salvi Awards, the Lennox Young Artist Competition, the Richardson Symphony Concerto Competition, A.S.T.A., and several American Harp Society competitions. She has performed concertos with the Juilliard Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, National Repertory Orchestra and several local Pittsburgh Orchestras.

Past Winners*

*Partial Listing