Ann Yeung

Biography

Known for her bold artistry and diverse repertoire, Ann Yeung is recognized as one of the leading teachers and harpists of her generation throughout the world. She has performed in festivals and judged competitions throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas, and enjoys a multi-faceted creative career. She has won top international prizes (France, Japan) and numerous national harp solo competitions. “A dynamic performer with considerable flair” – Harp Column, her performances have been described as “splendid and cast a powerful spell” – New York Concert Review. She is a Past President of the American Harp Society, Inc., having overseen a transformative period, and formerly Editor (2002-2014) of the World Harp Congress Review, for which the World Harp Congress recognized her in 2014 for outstanding dedication and service.

Recent activities have included the final article on Henriette Renié and her Concerto en ut mineur published in the World Harp Congress Review.

Other activities have included: serving on the jury for the 2025 Rave Harps International Prestige Awards in Singapore; the 8th Hong Kong International Harp Competition; a presentation on Henriette Renié, “Recalling Agency for Modern Times” featuring research supported by an Arthur O. Beckman Research Award from Illinois at the 2022 World Harp Congress in Cardiff, Wales; and the world premiere and presentation of kinna for shira banki by Richard Prior for the Aletheia Duo at the 2022 American Harp Society National Conference. Other activities have included serving twice as a jury member (including Jury President) for the USA International Harp Competition, adjudicating the 2024 USA International Harp Competition Ruth Inglefield Composition Contest, the Dutch Harp Festival’s 2020 World Harp Competition Scouting Jury, and the 2024 Lyon and Healy Awards in Chicago.

She is the only person to simultaneously receive first prizes in the two highest divisions of the American Harp Society, Inc. (AHS) National Competition as well as the Prix Renié. As a winner of Artists International, she premiered her transcription of the Goldberg Variations at Carnegie Hall in 1999, the first known performance of the complete work on the harp. Dedicated to the expansion of the repertoire, she has premiered numerous compositions as a performer and as a conductor. She has made recordings for the Innova, Fons, Albany, and Cadenza labels including the critically acclaimed Voyage: American Works for Flute and Harp as part of the Aletheia Duo with Jonathan Keeble (“A spectacular pairing” – Harp Column; “achingly beautiful.” – American Record Guide), and Song of the Black Swan: Works Inspired by Nature (” … the sound is marvelous. It particularly suits the Debussy [Sonate]; this is my new favorite recording.” – American Record Guide).

She is the author of articles and reviews, which are published in the World Harp Congress Review, The American Harp Journal, Association International des Harpistes et Amis de la Harpe, United Kingdom Harpists Association, The American Liszt Society Newsletter, and American String Teacher. She is also a contributing author for the American String Teachers Association book, A Harp in the Schools: Guide for School Ensemble Directors and Harpists. She is considered an authority on the works and method of Henriette Renié. She has also given numerous presentations on Parish Alvars.

Recognized for her exceptional ability to foster individual creativity, agency, and artistry in her students, she has given master classes at renowned institutions, including the Royal Academy of Music in London, and the Shanghai Conservatory, as well as lectures and presentations. Her students have won international and national first prizes, hold faculty positions including at the Curtis Institute of Music and Arizona State University, garnered principal harp positions worldwide, published significant editions and articles, founded innovative ensembles, lead some of the largest secondary school harp programs across the USA, enact change through arts administration and entrepreneurial leadership, and have achieved distinction in a variety of professions. She is a recipient of the 2014 Campus Award for Excellence in Graduate and Professional Teaching.

Currently serving as Secretary and as a Member of the Corporation and Board of Directors of the World Harp Congress and on the USA International Harp Competition Board and Executive Committee, she has received the 2015 College of Fine and Applied Arts Faculty Award for Excellence in Service in Illinois. She also is a 2013-2014 Fellow in the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (now Big Ten Academic Alliance) Academic Leadership Program. Currently Strings Area Chair, she has also served as Associate Director of Faculty Affairs in the Illinois School of Music.

Dr. Yeung notes that her goal is to provide an innovative and comprehensive education that will help her students reach their potential as creative artist-citizens in the 21st century. She is the Founder and Director of the Illinois Summer Harp Class (ISHC), that celebrated its 21st edition in 2024 with the world premiere of Journey to the Center  by Julia Kay Jamieson.  In the tradition of the ISHC, the inaugural Illinois Harp Jam was held in October this year. She is also Principal Harp of the Sinfonia da Camera.

Teaching Philosophy:

Create, inspire, innovate. Become an artist-citizen for the 21st century at Illinois and explore much more. At Illinois, be who you are and become who you want to be. Harp@Illinois