Maria Harpist

About Maria Harpist

Maria Harpist — an exquisitely refined presence for the world’s most discerning celebrations, based in Italy.

Born in France and now residing in Italy, Maria embodies a rare synthesis of cultural depth and artistic mastery. Her musical journey is a bespoke tapestry, woven from a lifelong pursuit of personal expression and impeccable craftsmanship, offering an auditory experience that is entirely her own.

Her artistry graces the most prestigious international stages and exclusive private events across Italy, France, Portugal, Ireland, Belgium, Switzerland, Sweden, Holland, Spain, Mexico, Brazil, the USA, Dubai, China, India, and Egypt. Her curated repertoire traverses traditional, Celtic, and early music with effortless grace, creating an atmosphere of refined elegance for every occasion.

For clients seeking the ultimate in luxurious musical accompaniment, Maria is regularly engaged by the finest estates, including the esteemed Locanda in Tuscany, the Castelfranco Veneto in Treviso, and the Conti di San Bonifacio Wine Resort in Gavorrano.

A prolific and visionary artist, Maria has contributed to over ten distinct early music projects. Her solo albums, Ankaa and Believe, are exquisite compilations of her original compositions, while her duet albums with the Harp & Hang duo, Menhir and Nyanga, showcase a sophisticated collaborative spirit. Her published scores with Stella Mattutina and three acclaimed Ebooks on the Celtic harp with Area 51 further cement her status as a leading authority in her field.

Since 2008, Maria has served as the visionary director of the Harp School at the "Arpeggi" Cultural Association in Bologna, an institution she personally founded. She is the Artistic Director of the Bologna Harp Festival and a distinguished member of the artistic committee of the Italian Harp Association. Her leadership extends globally as the Director of the International Harp Therapy Programme Italy, overseeing a holistic approach to the instrument that is both profound and unique.

Maria’s artistry is frequently sought after for exclusive events at the world’s most refined destinations, including:

• Locanda in Tuscany, Val d'Orcia, Italy
• Castelfranco Veneto, Treviso, Italy
• Conti di San Bonifacio Wine Resort, Gavorrano, Italy
• St. Moritz, Switzerland

A distinguished lecturer and clinician, Maria regularly presides over masterclasses and conferences on improvisation, composition, harp therapy, and early harps at esteemed institutions worldwide. Her illustrious engagements include the Nobber Harp Festival (Ireland), Harp on Wight (UK), the Conservatory of Pesaro, the University of Bologna, the University of Colorado, and the Virtual Harp Summit (USA). A sought-after speaker, she has been invited to deliver a TEDx Conference and has collaborated with the International Museum and Library of Music in Bologna since 2004.

Her journey of mastery began in Brittany, France, where she devoted herself to the Celtic harp under the tutelage of Anne Le Signor, earning her Diploma from the Conservatory of Lannion in 1997. She specialized further in ancient Celtic harp with metal strings under the guidance of Violaine Mayor and Katrien Delavier, embarking on her first tour of Celtic music in 1996. Her study of early harps continued at the Centre de Musique Medievale in Paris, culminating in a Diploma in Ancient Harp from the Tours Conservatory and a Diplôme d'Études Approfondies in Musicology from the University of Tours in 2002. She refined her craft under the legendary Myrdhin, Grainne Hambly, and Christina Tourin, earning her Certificate in Harp Therapy (CHTP) in 2017.

Her global prestige is reflected in a calendar that features the world's most illustrious festivals. Whether performing solo, in duo, or with esteemed ensembles such as Doulce Mémoire, Francesca Caccini, and Celic Dream, she has captivated audiences at the Wonder Festival (USA), the World Harp Congress (China, Hong Kong), the Stockholm Early Music Festival (Sweden), the Wight Harp Festival (UK), the Brussels Harp Festival (Belgium), the Rio Harp Festival (Brazil), and the Rencontres Internationales de Harpes Celtiques de Dinan (France).

Within Italy, her presence elevates the Ravenna Festival, Festival Taggia in Arpa, Bologna Festival, and the Grandezze e Meraviglie series, among many others.

She has commanded the stages of the world's most revered venues, including the Royal Opera House Mumbai, the Concert Hall of Hong Kong, the Theatre of Boulogne-Billancourt in Paris, the Carlo San Felice Theatre in Genova, La Chapelle Royale in Versailles, the Sforza Castle in Milano, and the Fondation Querini Stampalia in Venice.