Harp Society LA
is the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Harp Society
(also known as AHS-LA)
The Los Angeles Chapter presents harp concerts, workshops and other educational events, annually awards scholarships to young harp students, and hosts other fun events where we gather to celebrate the harp and to socialize with other harp enthusiasts.
Our diverse membership comprises harp students of all levels and all ages, harp teachers, amateur and professional players of both lever harp and pedal harp, harp vendors, composers and arrangers, and other friends of the harp.
If you’re a member, you’ll receive newsletters and/or flyers with details.
Latest News
2026 Finzi Award Recipients
Congratulations to the many participants in this year's Valeria Finzi Scholarship Auditions. The level of playing by everyone involved was amazing. Here are the awards given by the evaluators (two harpists and one non-harpist). This year's recipients are: Robin Yang...
2025 Finzi Award Recipients
AHS Los Angeles is happy to announce the 2025 Valeria Finzi Scholarship awards. This year's recipients are: Naomi Gesk Emmeline Liu Colin Hong Livia Cheng Robin Yang Max Huang The judges (two harpists, and one non-harpist) were especially struck by the exceptionally...
2024 Finzi Memorial Scholarship Awards
Congratulations to the five outstanding students who participated in the Valeria Finzi Memorial Scholarship auditions on Sunday, April 7th. The level of musicianship was impressive, and all five received awards.Isabelle BowlerLivia ChengJoshua HoColin HongGrace...
Maria Casale, 1962-2024
Remembering Maria Casale, 1962-2024 The Los Angeles Chapter is deeply saddened to announce the passing of harpist Maria Casale. Maria Casale was Professor of Harp at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. She was the Gold Medalist of the first USA...
2021 Virtual Celtic Music Ensemble on YouTube
With guidance and expert video editing by Gracie Sprout (AHS-LA 1st VP & director of events), several members participated in creating a virtual harp ensemble (performing arrangements by our President Ellie Choate) to celebrate St. Patrick's Day! You can...
2020 Holiday Harp Extravaganza on YouTube
December 2020 Holiday Harp Extravaganza on YouTube (click to view)! This year, we celebrated the holidays in accordance with our new social distancing guidelines. Customarily we meet at Huntington Hospital on a Saturday in December and play all our holiday...
2019 Finzi Scholarship Recipients Announced
AHS-LA wishes to congratulate the outstanding young harp students who are the recipients of this year's Valeria Finzi Memorial Scholarships: Colin HongGrace HongJoshua HoChloe Bang We look forward to hearing these young artists perform at the upcoming Spring...
2018 Valeria Finzi Memorial Scholarship Recipients Named
Congratulations to the outstanding young students who auditioned for this year's Valeria Finzi Memorial Scholarships! Congratulations also to their families and their harp teachers, who guide them along their harpistic paths. Auditions (organized by AHS-LA 2nd VP and...
Carrol McLaughlin, 1952-2018
We are saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Carrol McLaughlin, a world-renowned Canadian-born harpist and educator, at the age of 65 following a courageous battle with liver cancer. Dr. McLaughlin lived in Los Angeles for a short time after receiving her Doctorate...
Brad Hufft, 1957-2017
In Memoriam of Brad Hufft, composer and husband of harpist Ellie Choate: A devoted harp husband who attended many AHS-LA events, Brad served as a jury member for the AHS-LA Composition Competitions*. (See write-ups of Composition Competition concerts...
2017 Finzi Scholarship Recipients announced
The 2017 committee of the Valeria Finzi Memorial Scholarship has selected to recognize: Julianne Jimenez, $1,000 scholarship Annette Lee, $1,000 scholarship and $100 Harp in LA Award. All participants gave performances reflecting high levels of preparation...
Winners of 2016 Composition Competition Announced
Winners of 2016 Composition Competition Announced AHS-LA would like to congratulate the winners of the 2016 Composition Competition (for Pedal Harp and Flute, on the theme of Water),and thank them for adding to the repertoire of quality music available for harpists to...
2016 Finzi Scholarship Recipients Announced
AHS-LA would like to congratulate the students who have been chosen to receive 2016 Finzi Scholarships (and other awards): Erin Kim $200 Scholarship Emily Linlo $200 Scholarship and a $25 Gift Certificate from Pacific Harps as Promising New...
2015 Finzi Scholarship Recipients Announced
Congratulations to all the students who auditioned for the 2015 Valeria Finzi Memorial Scholarship Award on April 26, 2015 in Pasadena. Whether they received awards or not, they all gained valuable experience in auditioning, which will be needed if they decide to...
Dorothy Remsen
In October of 2010, the entire harp world felt a great loss with the passing of Dorothy Remsen, who had been one of the premier Hollywood studio harpists for decades, as well as a beloved teacher and one of the pillars of the American Harp Society. The Los...