KIRSTEN AGRESTA COPELY has charmed audiences internationally since she began study of the harp at the age of five. By the time she was fourteen, she was soloist on a full tour of the British Isles and has since performed extensively throughout the United States, Europe, South America, Israel, Japan, and the South Pacific. Known for her passionate performances and versatility, Kirsten commands a wide range of genres from classical to hip hop. She has been awarded top national and international prizes and honors, including the Bronze Medal in the prestigious 1989 USA International Harp Competition. Kirsten debuted as concerto soloist at Lincoln Center (Avery Fisher Hall) and Carnegie Hall, where she has also performed numerous solo recitals.
Following a feature in People Magazine, she was presented on segments of NBC, CBS, and ABC-TV and later made appearances on MTV, "Saturday Night Live,""Late Night with David Letterman", and the "Today Show". In Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center, and the concert extravaganazas Live8 and Lollapalooza, Kirsten has played alongside and worked with artists such as: Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Enya, Adam Levine of Maroon 5, John Legend, The Roots, Barry Manilow, and Amy Lee of Evanescence. She is featured on Erykah Badu's latest album, New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh.
Kirsten has also privately performed for notable officials and dignitaries, such as: Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, and former Vice President Al Gore. Most recently, Kirsten had the honor of performing with Beyoncé at the second official White House State Dinner, performing for Mexican President Felipe Calderón and President Barack Obama.
KIRSTEN AGRESTA COPELY studied with Nancy Allen at The Juilliard School and Distinguished Professor Susann McDonald at Indiana University. She received her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from Indiana University, where she also served as Associate Instructor of the Harp Department from 1991-93. She is currently a member of the Music Faculty at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY, and maintains a private teaching studio in New York City. Kirsten is Web Manager for the World Harp Congress Review, former New York Regional Director of the American Harp Society, and a Voting Member of the Grammy Recording Academy (NARAS).
