Elizabeth Jaxon’s career as a harpist has taken her to all corners of the world. Originally from the United States, she has lived in France and Thailand. She is now based in Utrecht, the Netherlands.

CURRENT ACTIVITIES

Dutch Harp Festival

Elizabeth is director of the Dutch Harp Competition, a three-stage international harp competition which runs alongside the Dutch Harp Festival. Since its inception in 2010, Elizabeth has been closely involved with the Dutch Harp Festival, acting as the official festival blogger for the first three editions, in 2010, 2012, and 2014. She has also served as photographer, social media correspondent, newsletter editor, and festival performer.

Visit the official website: harpfestival.nl.

 

Mozart Effect

Violinist Merel Vercammen and Elizabeth Jaxon have collaborated to produce an interactive presentation combining science and music. Part concert and part scientific exploration, The New Mozart Effect invites audience members to participate in an experiment demonstrating how music combines with mood to enhance cognitive performance. With the help of a smart-phone app designed by software developer Gert Wijnalda, data and results are projected live during the show. The concert program consists of emotionally powerful works by Mozart, Fauré, and Piazzolla.

Visit the official website: mozarteffect.nl.

 

Harp Column

Starting in June, 2016, Elizabeth has joined the production team of the Harp Column – a magazine and online news source for harpists, based in the U.S. She also helps support Harp Column Music – a PDF publishing company – and Harp Column Academy – an online learning platform which produces curated educational content.

Visit the official website: harpcolumn.com.

 

Atlantic Harp Duo

In 2006, while living in Paris, Elizabeth Jaxon formed the Atlantic Harp Duo with harpist Marta Power Luce. The duo performs regularly in both the United States and Europe and also has had engagements in Asia, South America, and Australia. Together, their discography includes A Journey with Chopin & Sand, and Rhythms of Spain. They have completed many of their own arrangements for two harps and also commissioned new works. In July, 2014, they performed at the World Harp Congress in Sydney, Australia, where they premiered their original show Ariadne Rediviva. A CD recording of the music from the show is currently in production.

Visit the official website: atlanticharpduo.com.
 
 

Past Activities

Mahidol University & Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra

For five semesters between 2010 and 2013, Ms. Jaxon lived and worked in Bangkok, Thailand. She was the harp instructor at the Mahidol University College of Music and also taught string chamber music. She served as the principal harpist of the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra.

International Competitions

From 1999 to 2009, Ms. Jaxon was active in the international competition circuit, participating in such competitions as the USA, Nippon, and Israel International Harp Competitions. She was awarded top prizes in the North London Festival of Music and Drama, the first International Harp Competition of Szeged, Hungary, and the American Harp Society National Competition.

École Normale de Musique

Following her graduation from the University of Illinois, Elizabeth was accepted at the École Normale de Musique in Paris, when she continued her musical studies with Isabelle Perrin. In 2009, she obtained the highest-level degree offered there—the Diplôme Supérieur de Concertiste.

University of Illinois

Elizabeth did her undergraduate studies with Dr. Ann Yeung at the University of Illinois, School of Music, in her hometown of Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. She graduated in 2006 with a bachelor of music in harp performance.