Bio

Praised for her “vibrant musical personality” (Harp Column Magazine) and hailed by ABC Classic as a “queen of contemporary classical performance in Australia,” American-Australian harpist Emily Granger has built a reputation as one of the most compelling harpists of her generation. Appointed Principal Harp of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra in 2023, she has captivated audiences worldwide in performances as Guest Principal Harpist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Canberra Symphony Orchestra, Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Orchestra Victoria, and Opera Australia Orchestra.

​​Emily released her debut solo album, In Transit, in 2022 on UK-based AVIE Records. Selected as Featured Album on ABC Classic and 2MBS Fine Music Sydney. BBC Music Magazine praised the album as “beautiful” and Limelight Magazine as “an impressive debut.” receiving more than 6.5 million streams since its release.

She has since gone on to release the critically acclaimed album, Suite Magica, on ABC Classic with guitarist Andrew Blanch which debuted at #1 on the ARIA Classical Chart; Something Like This (AVIE) with Sally Walker; and Magic Sky (HUSH Foundation) with percussionist Claire Edwards OAM.

Emily was a Finalist in the 2021 Art Music Awards for Performance of the Year for her interpretation of Ross Edwards’ solo, The Harp and The Moon and a finalist in the 2022 Freedman Classical Fellowship.

Recent performance highlights include appearances with the Orava Quartet, Ensemble Offspring, guitarist Andrew Blanch, percussionist Claire Edwardes, Sydney Dance Company, Nexas Quartet, Sydney Art Quartet, Sydney Chamber Choir, Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra and many more, in performances for Melbourne Recital Centre, Musica Viva Australia, Musica Viva Tasmania, Sydney Fringe Festival, Orange Chamber Music Festival, Music in the Regions, Bellingen Muse, and many more. 

Hailing from Kansas City, Missouri, Emily studied at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University and Chicago College of the Performing Arts. Following her studies, she served as Principal Harp in the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and is a founding member of the Chicago Harp Quartet. 

Emily is represented by Tier 1 Arts.

Teaching Info

Emily is a passionate harpist and educator with a thriving teaching studio in Brisbane. Serving on faculty at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and University of Queensland, Emily mentors some of the countries most promising young harpists. Her students have won positions as Principal Harp in the Australian Youth Orchestra, Queensland Youth Orchestra, Sydney Youth Orchestra, and Chicago Youth Orchestra. In addition they’ve won prizes at competitions around the world including the Mexico International Competition, American Harp Society and Queensland Harp Society Competitions and received High Distinctions at AMEB Exams. Please note that Emily is not currently accepting beginners.