Nancy Allen

Nancy Allen, harp, made her New York recital debut in 1975, and she became principal harp of the New York Philharmonic in 1999. In 2000, Ms. Allen was featured in the Philharmonic's American premiere of Siegfried Matthus's Concerto for flute, harp, and orchestra. Ms. Allen also appears regularly with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. She has appeared with the Chamber Music Society on PBS's Live From Lincoln Center and has performed as recitalist for Music at the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. Ms. Allen maintains a busy international concert schedule, making solo appearances at major international festivals and collaborating with numerous artists. A recording artist for Sony Classical, Deutsche Grammophon, and CRI, her recording of Ravel's Introduction and Allegro received a Grammy nomination. A native of New York, Ms. Allen studied with Pearl Chertok, spent the summer of 1972 in Paris with Lily Laskine, then entered Juilliard to study with Marcel Grandjany. In 1973, she won Israel's Fifth International Harp Competition and was later awarded a National Endowment for the Arts Solo Recitalist Award. Ms. Allen heads the harp departments of The Juilliard School and the Aspen Music Festival and School. Many of her students hold positions in prominent orchestras worldwide.