harpcolumn

ASTA Competition Winners

Anna Odell is the winner in the Senior Division of the 2013 ASTA National Solo Competition.
April 13, 2013

Anna Odell was the Senior Division winner in the harp category of the 2013 American String Teachers Association National Solo Competition, which was held April 6–8, 2013, at Merkin Hall, in New York City. Odell currently attends the Curtis Institute of Music where she studies with Elizabeth Hainen. She received $1,000 and performed Impromptu for Harp (Faure, Gabriel) in a winner’s recital on April 8. Jessica Ding was the Junior Division winner and received $500.

“I was honored to compete in the ASTA National Solo Competition, and even more honored to win in the harp category,” says Odell. “I found the competition to be a very rewarding experience in performance—I played Viejo Zortzico by Jesus Guridi, Fugue in D Minor by J.S. Bach, and the Faure Impromptu. All of these pieces are challenging in very different ways and require a great amount of concentration. Among the most rewarding parts of the experience was participating in the evening concert for competition winners—that was a real treat with truly excellent performances on violin, cello, and bass. It was unforgettable. I am truly grateful for the opportunity and would encourage harpists to participate in future ASTA events.”

Senior Division finalists also included Natalie Severson andHannah Blalock. Junior Division finalists included Heidi Moreyand Mia Venezia. For more information about ASTA visitwww.astaweb.com.

more like this