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Hampton Roads Harp Festival 2026
Hampton Roads Harp Festival 2026
The F. Ludwig Diehn School of Music at Old Dominion University is excited to announce the 10th anniversary of the Hampton Roads Harp Festival, Friday-Saturday, February 27-28, 2026 in Norfolk, Virginia! Join us for 2 exciting days filled with workshops, masterclasses, and performances open to all ages, styles and levels.
Register at the link below!
Please note: Only one parent/guardian accompanying a full-fee paying minor may attend free of charge; we regret that we are unable to accommodate unregistered siblings. Limited street parking is available; aditional parking information can be found here.
*Registration fees are non-refundable.
HRHF 10th Anniversary Schedule
HRHF 10th Anniversary Schedule
Friday, February 27, 2026
Friday, February 27, 2026
7:00 PM — Welcome Reception & Open Mic Night
HRHF Faculty & Participants
Mingle with presenters and participants in a relaxed setting to kick off our 10th anniversary Festival!
Saturday, February 28, 2026
Saturday, February 28, 2026
9:30–9:45 — Check-in and Registration
Great Hall
Pick up materials, settle in, and get ready for a full day of music-making. Vendor shopping will take place in the Great Hall throughout lunch.
10:00–10:30 — HRHF Competition Finals
Chandler Hall
Experience the artistry and preparation of our competition finalists as they perform for distinguished adjudicators.
10:45–11:45 — Workshops (Parallel Sessions)
Chandler Hall: Bold Harp Method: from the Basics to Virtuosity — Alexander Boldachev
Choir Room: Harp Maintenance & Care — Danielle Williams, Lyon & Healy Certified Technician
Learn essential maintenance tips to keep your instrument performing at its best.
12:00–1:00 — Lunch
Lunch break with vendor shopping available.
1:00–2:30 — Masterclass with Alexander Boldachev
Chandler Hall
Gain insight through live coaching as selected performers receive individualized feedback.
2:45–3:45 — Workshops (Parallel Sessions)
Choir Room: Get Gigging with Vanessa Putnam
Learn how to present yourself authentically and professionally online.Chandler Hall: Motivation with Melissa Dvorak
Develop sustainable strategies for motivation, focus, and effective practice.
4:00–5:00 — Workshops / Tours (Parallel Sessions)
Recording Studio Tour — Diehn School of Music
Step inside a professional recording environment and learn what goes into capturing high-quality sound.Choir Room: "The Modern Harpist: Integrating Technology into Your Musical Life" Kristina Finch
Learn how to utilize modern technology to increas practice and performance standards
5:15–5:35 — Performance: American Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (AYPO)
Choir Room
Enjoy a dynamic performance highlighting the next generation of young musicians.
5:45–6:30 — Community Jam Session — Élan Ensemble
Choir Room
A collaborative session celebrating creativity, groove, and shared music-making.
6:30–7:15 — Dinner Break
Take time to relax, dine nearby, and prepare for the evening recital.
7:30–9:00 — Evening Recital — Alexander Boldachev
Chandler Hall
Conclude the event with an inspiring recital showcasing artistry, virtuosity, and expressive depth.
*Please check for any updates closer to the event
2026 Featured Artists
2026 Featured Artists
Alexander Boldachev
Alexander Boldachev
Alexander Boldachev is a virtuoso-harpist, composer, exclusive artist of Italian harp house Salvi Harps, initiator of the World Harp Day, founder of the Zurich Harp Festival, and co-founder of community “LYUDẎ.” Laureate of more than a dozen prestigious international competitions, including composing competitions; awarded by the “Britain's Brilliant Prodigies”, “Aoyama Music Award” in Kyoto, “Pro Europa” in Austria, presented by Heinz Fischer for high achievements in the field of culture; Fellow of the international foundations Vontobel in Switzerland and Banque Populaire in France, as well as the Russian foundations for the development of young musicians Spivakov, Temirkanov, the Rotary Club and Houses of Music that gave a start to his career. Laureate of the Prix Walo television award in Switzerland.
Plays the harp, piano and writes music from the age of five. Travels with solo concerts around the world, leads master classes at such educational institutions as the Royal Conservatory in Toronto, Juilliard School in New York, Royal Academy in London, Ferenc Liszt Academy in Budapest. In 2018, wrote and performed an electronic harp solo at the FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony, sharing the stage with Robbie Williams and Aida Garifullina. Performs in such world halls as Carnegie Hall in New York, the Hall of Gaveau in Paris, the Musikverein in Vienna, the Great Hall of the Philharmonic in St. Petersburg, and others, both with solo concerts and in collaboration with many European and Russian orchestras.
Alexander Boldachev is a participant of the festivals Burning Man, Musical Olympus, New Names, Mozart+, Davos and Gstaad in Switzerland, Big Russian Ball in Rome, Bravo Award, SKIF Sergey Kuroyokhin, Burberry and D&G shows, projects of The Moscow and St. Petersburg Houses of Music.
*Please note that photographs and footage will be taken throughout the Hampton Roads Harp Festival and Competition (HRHF). They will be used by the HRHF for marketing and publicity in our publications, on our website, and in social media or in any third party publication.
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