Biography/CV

Elizabeth Volpé Bligh, Principal Harpist 1982-2018, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
E-mail: evolpebligh@gmail.com

Training

• graduated from University of Toronto, 1975, Mus. Bac. in Performance
• one post-graduate year in Cleveland, studying with Alice Chalifoux, followed by solo recital at The Grange in Toronto
• harp teachers: Judy Loman (Toronto Symphony) Alice Chalifoux (Cleveland Orchestra) Edna Phillips (Philadelphia Orchestra)
• four summers at Salzedo Harp Colony
• participated in master classes with:
  Osian Ellis, Nancy Allen, Heidi Lehwalder, Cheryl Ann Fulton (early music)
• member of National Youth Orchestra of Canada 1973 and 1975

Performing

• Principal Harpist, National Ballet Orchestra, 1975-1982
• 1975-1982 - extra with Toronto Symphony, National Arts Centre Orchestra, Edmonton Symphony, Atlantic Symphony, Charlottetown Festival
• Principal Harpist, Vancouver Symphony from Sept., 1982-2018

Solo Concerto Performances with VSO

• Mozart's Flute and Harp Concerto, Grandjany's Aria in Classic Style, Mozetich's El Dorado, Debussy's Danses Sacrée et Profane, Michael Conway Baker's Harp Concerto (broadcast on CBC), Scott Good's Sonata for Harp and Strings (latter pieces both written for Elizabeth)

Solo Concerti with Regional Orchestra

• Mozart Concerto, Handel Harp Concerto, Debussy Danses, Michael Conway Baker Concerto

Recordings

• "Due North" and "Rise, Shine" with Vancouver Chamber Choir
• "The Greater Vancouver Album" (works by Michael Conway Baker including "Intermezzo" for flute and harp)
• various VSO recordings, i.e. Rhapsodies, and Glazunov: The Seasons and Valse de Concert, and notably the Grammy- and Juno-winning recording of James Ehnes of the Korngold, Barber and Walton Violin Concerti
• VSO recording of Bramwell Tovey's opera The Inventor (soon to be released)

Chamber Music Performances

• Vancouver Chamber Players, Turning Point, Masterpiece Music, UBC Noon Hour concerts, VSO Chamber Players
• commissioned and premiered two pieces by John Armstrong: “Earth, Wind, Sea” for soprano, violin and harp, and “Caol MacAoidh” for oboe and harp
• commissioned and premiered Sonata for Harp and Strings by Scott Good (world premiere July 2014, World Harp Congress, Sydney, Australia)

Soundtracks

• "Poison Ivy", "The Alamo" and "Miracle on I-880"

1983

• performed for HRH Queen Elizabeth II at luncheon 

2010

• July 3, 2010: performed at American Harp Society Conference in Tacoma
• August, 2010: performed at Festival of the Sound in Parry Sound, Ontario, with Judy Loman, Nora Bumanis, Sharlene Wallace, Julia Shaw
• November 2010: judge for final stages at OSM Standard Life Harp Competition

2011

• July 24-31, 2011: hosted World Harp Congress in Vancouver, BC at Sheraton Wall Centre (see www.worldharpcongress2011.com)

2012

• July: taught and performed recital at International Harp Workshop, Sanctuaria del Crea, Italy
• July 29 - Aug 11: inaugural Canadian International Summer Harp Institute at VSO School of Music

2014

• February: Debussy Trio Sonata for flute, harp, viola at Pyatt Hall, with Matt Davies, viola and Mark McGregor, flute
• June: taught and performed at PRISMA with flautist Janet Arms and violinist Soyoung Yoon
• July: CISHI Faculty Recital with Judy Loman, Gianetta Baril and Julia Kay Jamieson
• performed my own pieces and premiered Scott Good's Sonata for Harp and Strings at World Harp Congress in Sydney, Australia

2015

• performed Scott Good's Sonata for harp and Strings with Vancouver Symphony, Gordon Gerrard conducting
• performed Debussy Trio for flute, viola and harp with Mark McGregor, flute, and Matthew Davies, viola
• performed Jocelyn Morlock's Nightsong for bassoon and harp with Sophie Dansereau at the faculty recital for VSO Institute at Whistler
• coached at VSOIW
• Ibert Trio with Yi Zhou, violin, and Charles Inkman, cello, and Morlock Nightsong with Sophie Dansereau, bassoon, on VSO Chamber Players concert

2016

• article published in Harp Column magazine
• out all year due to illness

2017

• performed in faculty recital at VSOIW, coached harp students
• performed and gave a lecture at World Harp Congress in Hong Kong

2018 and 2019

• performed in faculty recital at VSOIW, coached harp students

2020

• published new pieces and editions 
• added videos to YouTube channel
• coached harp students at VSOI online

2021

• VSOI
• was an adjudicator for 6th Hong Kong International Music Festival harp division by Zoom, was awarded Best Teacher 
• played in Orfeo e Euridice by Gluck for Vancouver Opera

2022

• 2022, March - played in opera Blond Eckbert by Judith Weir with Vancouver Opera, Les Dala conducting
• 2022 - Apr. 29 - adjudicated and gave workshop, Sunshine Coast Island Music Festival
• 2022 - May 19  - gave lecture on fingerings for Harps, Etc. 
• 2022 - May 28 - performed at Fund-raising concert for CIAMS and LGH, Christ Church Cathedral
• 2022 - June 4, 1:30 pm performed with Lani Krantz at VSO Day of Music
• 2022 - June 23-26, played in opera Rusalka by Dvorak at UBC Old Auditorium, Norbert Baxa conducting
• 2022 - July 17 - online judge for Harp Division of the Hong Kong International Music Festival in Fujian District, Fuzhou, China

2023

• February - performed and presented at New Zealand Harp Fest in Auckland, NZ

2025

• July - guest panellist and performer for Toronto International Harp Festival

Adjunct Professor of Harp, University of BC 1984-

President of BC Chapter of American Harp Society 2006 - to present

President of West Coast Harp Society, 2008 - to present

President of Toronto Chapter of American Harp Society 1976

Vice-President of Organization of Canadian Symphony Musicians, 1986

Chairman, Host Committee for World Harp Congress 2011 in Vancouver

Co-founder, Canadian International Summer Harp Institute

Composer - in Royal Conservatory of Music and Trinity College London Harp Syllabi