Charles H. Webb, dean of the Indiana University School of Music, received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Southern Methodist University and his doctoral degree in music from Indiana University. In addition to his administrative duties, he maintains an active performance schedule as a conductor and pianist and serves as a judge for international music competition throughout the world. He currently is chairman of the Board of Advisors of International Festivals, Inc.

Kathleen Bride has appeared as a soloist with orchestra and has performed extensively as a recitalist in the United States and Great Britain. Professor of harp at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, and a visiting faculty member of the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England, she also gives master classes in London and in Cardiff, Wales. She received the Master of Music degree from The Juilliard School, studying with Marcel Grandjany. As a member of the Juilliard Ensemble of Contemporary Music, Kathleen Bride has recorded for Phillips and RCA Victor. In addition to solo recitals and concerto performances, she tours with organist Jon Gillock in duo recitals throughout the United States and Europe. Currently she is associate editor of The American Harp Journal.

Solo harpist with the Orchestra National de Lyon since 1996, Germaine Lorenzini has won prizes in international competitions in Israel, Geneva, and Tournier. She concertizes regularly both as a soloist and chamber musician. Germaine Lorenzini began her harp studies in Marseille. She entered the Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique in Paris, where she studied with Lily Laskine and Jacqueline Borot and was unanimously voted the Premier Prix. In recent years, Ms. Lorenzibi has also dedicated herself to teaching; her students have included Isabelle Moretti and Beatrice Guillermin. Most recently, Ms. Lorenzini was a judge at the 12th International Harp Contest in Israel.

One of the leading harpists in Russia, Natalia Shameyeva is both teacher and the principal harpist with the Bolshoi Theater Orchestra. She graduated from the post-graduate course of the Moscow Conservatory, where she studied with Vera Dulova, distinguishing herself in many competitions. Her career also includes regular tours both in Russia and abroad, as well as performing on radio and television. In 1992 Natalia Shameyeva was awarded the Master of Art Criticism degree for her dissertation, “A History of the Development of Harp Music in Russia in the Twentieth Century.” In 1993 she received the title of Honored Artist of Russia.

Ann Mason Stockton performed the U.S. premiere of Castelnuono-Tedesco’s Concertino for Harp, and the world premieres of Lalo Schifrin’s Continuum and David Grusin’s Anasazi. Her discography includes solo works on the Capitol, Angel, Crystal, and Avant Records labels. Ann Mason Stockton was a former member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic (under Otto Klemperer) and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (under Neville Marriner), and she worked as a freelance recording musician in film and television. She is a native of California, Los Angeles, where she studied composition with Arnold Schoenberg. She is a founding member and chairman of the board of the World Harp Congress, past president and chairman of the board of the American Harp Society, and is on the Board of Directors of Recording Musicians of America.

Helga Storck studied harp at the Folkwang-Hochschule in Essen, Germany, and at The Juilliard School in New York. She has been the principal harpist of several major orchestras in Germany, including a recent position in the Munich Philharmonic under Sergiu Celibidache. As a soloist, she performs regularly in Germany and elsewhere, and teaches at the Musikhochschule in Munich. Many of her students hold leading positions in major orchestras. Helga Storck’s recordings are available on Deutsche Grammophon, Teldec, Philips, Vox, Calig, Erato, Colosseum, Polskie Nagrania, and other labels.

David Watkins has performed as soloist and as harpist of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, where he was principal. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music. Also a composer, Mr. Watkins has written a complete method of harp, published by Boosey & Hawkes, and is editor of manuscripts and rare harp music from the Clive Morley Collection. The World Harp Congress has featured him in recital. He recently returned from Israel, where he was a judge at the 12th International Harp Contest.

John J. Weinzweig, composer, has been considered the dean of Canadian music for over 30 years. He was the first Canadian to advocate the use of the 12-tone technique. Weinzwieg studied at the University of Toronto and Eastman School of Music. He joined the Royal Conservatory in 1939 as a teacher of composition and orchestration, and then held a professorship at the University of Toronto from 1952 until his retirement as professor emeritus in 1978. During this period, Weinzweig and several of his former students founded the Canadian League of Composers. Weinzweig has served in several Canadian music organizations and has received numerous awards, including honorary doctorates form the University of Ottowa and the University of Toronto and nomination to the Order of Canada. His contribution to the contemporary harp literature include the Harp Concerto (1967) and 15 pieces for Harp, which have secured him an Honorary Membership in the American Harp Society (1984).

In 1961, Atsuko Yoshino was one of the first Japanese harpists to give a solo recital in Japan. She also has been principal harpist of the Kyoto Symphony Orchestra and professor at Soai Women’s University of Osaka. She has appeared throughout Japan as a soloist and chamber musician. After graduating from Tokyo University of Arts, she studied with Maria Korchinska in London and with Susann McDonald in America. Atsuko Yoshino is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the World Harp Congress. She is an active harp teacher in Japan.