The 2024 Jury list
Judy Loman, harpist
USA
President of the International Jury
Recognized as one of the world’s foremost harp virtuosos, Judy Loman graduated from the Curtis Institute of Music, where she studied with the celebrated harpist, Carlos Salzedo. She became Principal Harpist with the Toronto Symphony in 1960.
As a soloist, Judy Loman has won the admiration of audiences and critics alike across Canada, the United States, Europe and Japan. The Toronto Symphony has featured her as soloist on several tours and she has appeared as guest artist with numerous other orchestras and ensembles worldwide. She has participated in many of North America’s music festivals and several of her performances have been filmed by Rhombus Media and aired on public television.
A prolific recording artist, she has been a recipient of Canada’s Juno Award for best classical recording and the Canada Council’s Grand Prix du disque. Canadien. Her newly released CD, La Harpe Fantastique, is a part of her “80s Project”, in which she is learning and recording all the pieces that she has wanted to do and never had time for.
In addition to performances of traditional harp repertoire, Ms. Loman has commissioned several new works for her instrument by Canada’s foremost composers, including John Weinzweig, R. Murray Schafer, Glenn Buhr and Kelly Marie Murphy. She has introduced these compositions worldwide through her recordings and recitals in North America, Europe, Israel and Japan. Always seeking to add to the harp repertoire, she is active in transcribing classical and baroque works for the harp from the piano repertoire, as well as arranging folk and Christmas music for voice and harp.
Ms. Loman has been a featured recitalist at several American Harp Society Conferences and for the World Harp Congress. She gave the opening recital for the American Harp Society’s Millennium Conference in 2000. A highlight of this concert was the World Premiere of Kelly Marie Murphy’s “Illuminations”, commissioned for Ms. Loman by the Canada Council of the Arts. Her appearances with the World Harp Congress were in Paris, France, Tacoma, Washington, Dublin, Ireland, where she performed R. Murray Schafer’s Harp Concerto, Glen Buhr’s Concerto for flute and harp, and Kelly Marie Murphy’s Harp Concerto, respectively. In her opening recital at The World Harp Congress in Vancouver, Canada, she performed R. Murray Schafer’s Crown of Ariadne, and the premiere of Trio for Flute, Viola and Harp by Kelly Marie Murphy.
A dedicated teacher, Judy Loman taught at The Curtis Institute of Music for several years and continues there as a Visiting Artist on occasion. She is Adjunct Professor of harp at the University of Toronto, and Instructor of harp at the Glenn Gould School of Music, a part of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. She gives Masterclasses worldwide and has adjudicated at the International Harp Contest in Israel, the USA International Harp Contest and The Vera Dulova International Harp Competition in Moscow, as well as composition competitions and young artist competitions held by the American Harp Society and the Fukui Festival.
In June of 2002 Ms. Loman retired from the Toronto Symphony Orchestra to devote her time to teaching, recording, concertizing and the publishing of her arrangements and transcriptions. To celebrate this new turn in her career the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation commissioned the Concerto for harp and Orchestra by the Canadian composer, Kelly-Marie Murphy which she premiered on June 12th. 2002. Ms. Loman subsequently received a grant from the Ontario Arts Council to commission Kelly Marie Murphy’s Trio for Flute, Viola and Harp. She performed the world premiere of this trio at her opening recital for The World Harp Congress held in Vancouver in 2011.
Judy Loman continues to teach, perform, and record. For her 80th birthday she received grants from The Canada Council and Michael Koerner to publish a two CD collection of all of R. Murray Schafer’s 7 works for harp. These CDs include performances by harpists Lori Gemmell, Heidi Krutzen, and Judy Loman.
Loman is a Fellow of the Royal Conservatory of Music and was honoured to become a Member of The Order of Canada in 2015.
Josef Bardanashvili, composer
Israel
Born in 1948 in Batumi, Georgia, studied at the Music Academy in Tbilisi under Aleksandr Shaverzashvili, where he graduated with a Doctor Degree in composition in 1976.
Bardanashvili was Director of the Music College in Batumi (1986-1991), Culture Vice-Minister in Adjaria (1993-1994) and in this capacity organized numerous international music festivals.
He settled in Israel in 1995.
Bardanashvili served as composer-in-residence of the Raanana Symfonette Orchestra in Israel from 1996-99, Musical Director of the International Biennial for Contemporary Music “Tempus Fugit” in Tel-Aviv (2002, 2004,2006) currently is a composer-in-residence the Israel Camerata Jerusalem.
He taught at Camera Obscure College, at Bar-Ilan University, and the Sapir Academic College. Currently, he is a faculty member of the Academy of Music at Tel-Aviv University and Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, and Rimon School of Music.
Bardanashvili from 1999 to 2010 was a member of the public council of the Ministry of Culture and art of Israel, permanently invited as a member of the jury of different musical competitions, to musical academies and schools for performing different master classes, lectures, and meetings.
Josef Bardanashvili has composed more than 100 works.
5 operas ”A Journey to the End of the Millennium” Opera in Two acts (2005) libretto A. B. Yehoshua, commissioned and performed by The Israeli Opera( in commemoration of its 20-th anniversary) and he ”Dybbuk” Opera in Two acts( based of the famous novel by An-sky) commissioned by The Israeli Opera (in commemoration of its 35th anniversary).
5 Ballets, 4 symphonies (1980, 2001,2006, 2016), Symphony No 3 ”Bameh Madlikin”(”With what do we light”) commissioned by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra in commemoration of its 70th anniversary. Concertos for Piano, Violin, Cello, Mandolin, Flute, Guitar, String Quartets, Quintets, Piano Trios, Piano Sonatas, choir music, and songs.
He has written music for 55 films and 65 theater productions.
His numerous compositions had successfully been performed all over the world – in Israel, Georgia, the USA, Germany, Russia, France, Spain, Italy, Finland, Armenia, Hungary, Canada, Japan, and the UK. He has been awarded many prizes in Georgia and Israel.
Alexander Boldachev, harpist
Russia/Switzerland
Born in Russia and raised in Switzerland, Alexander Boldachev is a multifaceted artist, a committed humanitarian, and an innovative musician, revising the perception of the harp in the 21st century.
Alexander Boldachev is a Swiss-Russian artist pushing the boundaries of how people identify the harp in the 21st century. Alexander creates unique adventures in his concerts with his innovative approach and refusal to conform to stereotypes. He has become a modern harp and music ambassador, focusing on the inclusion of all generations of the public.
Multigenre classical crossover Artist
As a classically educated harpist (professor – Catherine Michel), composer, and conductor, Alexander has mastered various musical genres, including classical, crossover, rock covers, and neoclassical vibes. He has performed at some of the world’s most prestigious venues, such as the Bolshoi Theater, Carnegie Hall, and Theater Colon, as well as the Burning Man, FIFA World Cup Opening, and late-night shows with experimental programs.
Film/Theater Composer
Alexander’s creativity extends beyond his live performances, as he is a prolific composer with a unique style that blends tradition with innovation. He has created original works and improvisations that showcase his passion for the harp and music, including film and theater scores, works with orchestra, e-music, and hundreds of arrangements and covers.
Private teacher and invited Professor
Aside from his busy performing schedule, Alexander is passionate about sharing his knowledge and training methods with aspiring musicians worldwide. He was invited to work with the students at top institutions like Juilliard, Liszt, and Royal Academies of Music, Conservatories of Milano, Toronto, Beijing, Moscow, São Paulo, and Buenos Aires.
Collaborator and Organizer
With an open mind to collaborations and a readiness to work with diverse instruments, singers, and choreographers, Alexander continues to do innovative cultural research. His creativity also extends to organizing projects such as the Harp Festival Zürich and World Harp Day, which celebrate the beauty and diversity of his instrument.
Social and charitable Advocate – In addition to his artistry, Alexander is also known for his humanitarian work. He has taken a clear anti-war position and founded a society in Zürich called LYUDẎ: Cultural Solidarity to help refugees and arrange charity actions in Switzerland and worldwide.
For more information, see Alexander’s Website or his social networks Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Jana Boušková, harpist
Czech Republic
Jana Boušková, born in Prague (Czech Republic), belongs to the elite category of world-renowned harpists, who are invited to the world’s most prestigious stages thanks to their distinctive artistic qualities. World reviewers evaluate her performances similarly and emphasize in particular the breathtaking perfection of technique, brilliant precision, wit presence, depth, ethereal sensitivity and the power of her expression. Jana Boušková participated in a total of eight harp competitions during her life (USA, Israel, Germany, Belgium, France, Italy) and always won the highest award, of which she won the 1st prize 5 times, including the most prestigious Gold Medal at the USA International Harp Competition in 1992. Jana Boušková made several transcriptions of compositions by Czech composers who did not pay attention to the solo harp. In 2021, these compositions were released on her solo CD My Homeland by Supraphon, where, in addition to the newly adapted version of Smetana’s Vltava, there are two other parts of My Homeland, Vyšehrad and Šárka, American Suite and Largo from Dvořák’s New World Symphony and Josef Suk’s Summer Impressions. Jana Boušková performs solo with leading orchestras and in solo recitals around the world in the most prestigious concert halls. In addition to her solo career, Jana Boušková is engaged in pedagogical activities. Since September 2019 she has been a professor at the prestigious Royal College of Music in London and since 2007, she has been teaching at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. For 15 years she was a very successful professor at the Royal Conservatory in Brussels in 2005-2020 and also at the Conservatory in Prague for 19 years in the period 1993-2012. Since 2005, Jana Boušková has been a solo harpist with the Czech Philharmonic. She is regularly invited to participate in world-famous harp congresses and symposia, including membership of the juries of the International Harp Competitions and conducting master classes around the world. In 1999 she was the artistic director of the 7th World Harp Congress in Prague, a member of the artistic council of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague and the Czech Philharmonic. She is currently the patron of the Monastery Music Festival and the Cancioneta Praga choir. Jana Boušková has recorded more than twenty CDs for Czech and international labels, radio and television companies, and about two dozen compositions by contemporary composers have been written for her.
Jason Chang, harpist
China
Professor of Harp at Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Suzhou University and Shanghai Music Middle School affiliated to Shanghai Conservatory. Jason Chang has given masterclasses across the US, in music conservatories in China, and at the Rimsky-Korsakov in St. Petersburg. Since settling in Shanghai in 2002, his students have won prizes at international and national competitions in Israel, France, Japan, the US, Russia, Serbia, Korea, mainland China, and Hong Kong.
he was granted the “Excellent Teacher Award” by the city of Shanghai in 2011. He has also served on the jury of the USA International Harp Competition, Lily Laskine International Harp Competition, St. Petersburg International Harp Competition, Lille International Harp Competition. Jason Chang was on the Host Committee for the 2017 World Harp Congress in Hong Kong and was the music director of Shanghai International Harp Festival in 2014.
Jason Chang holds Bachelor of Music from Shanghai Conservatory of Music with Jianming Hu and Master of Music degrees from University of Arizona with Dr. Carol McLaughlin. His early harp training was received form his mother Peixue Gan, who was the principal harpist with China National Symphony.
Adina Haroz, harpist
Israel
Adina Haroz was born in Jerusalem.
She started her musical education with the piano.
She later graduated with Artist degree as a harpist from the Jerusalem Rubin Academy of Music and Dance, under the direction of Ms. Klary Sarvash Weisgerber.
Haroz became one of the contemporary music experts.
She represented Israel at many festivals, playing Israeli Works for the harp.
She premiered works, many of which were dedicated to her such as Yehezkel Brown’s concerto for Harp and Orchestra, Haim Permont- Nigun for Harp and Orchestra and many other harp solo compositions and chamber music for her duo with her son Nizan Haroz, first trombone player of the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Haroz recorded several CDs and produced a children book containing a chamber music CD in which some of the music was composed by her.
Adina Haroz recently moved to the Galilee, where she teaches harp and performs in educational settings as well as others throughout the region and beyond. For her explanatory concerts, she won the “Cylinder Prize” of Omanut La’am. (Music for the community, organization).
The Israel Broadcasting Authority awarded her the “Performance Award” for many performances in which she also premiered Israeli music.
Baltazar Juárez, harpist
Mexico
In October 2017 Baltazar is invited to Madrid, Spain, to inaugurate the Tierra 47 Festival in honor of the great Spanish Harpist, Nicanor Zabaleta, where he performed the last musical work Zabaleta played in life for the public, the “Concert for Harp and Orchestra in B flat Major by Georg Friedrich Händel”.
Likewise, in October 2018 the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico, the most important group in that country, invited him as a soloist to celebrate its 90th anniversary with a special concert.
Baltazar is the Principal Harpist of the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico and has performed both as a soloist and as an orchestral musician in different parts of the world. His solo appearances include the Young Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Buenos Aires Philharmonic Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Zagreb Soloist, Hong Kong City Chamber Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico, among others.
He has been invited to perform Concerts and offer Masterclasses in different venues around the world such as: the World Harp Congress, Vancouver, Canada, 2012; the Glazbena Skola Vatroslava Lisinskog in Zagreb, Croatia 2013; at the American Harp Society 41st National Conference 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Belo Horizonte, Brazil 2015; at the MasterWorks Festival in Winona Lake, Indiana, USA, 2015; the Harp Week in Buenos Aires, Argentina 2015; Zagreb International Festival 2016; Anderson University, Indiana, USA, 2016; American Harp Society Chapter-New Orleans Chapter, USA, 2017, 13th World Harp Congress, Hong Kong, 2017; Tierra 47 Festival, Madrid Spain, 2017; RioHarpFest in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2012-2020; Harp Week in Argentina 2020, Buenos Aires, Argentina; West Coast Harp Society, Vancouver, Canada, 2020; 2020 KPU International Music Festival, Vancouver, Canada; Symphony Concertante Foundation of Panama 2021, among others.
Baltazar is winner of the 4th Prize at the USA International Harp Competition, 1998 in Bloomington, Indiana; and 2nd Prize of the American Harp Society, 1999 in Los Angeles, California. He has the distinction of being invited to be part of the jury at the USA International Harp Competition, Bloomington, Indiana, USA, 2013; and being the “Guest Artist” for the 41st annual conference of the American Harp Society in June 2014.
His discography includes: “Jardin des Paons”, a harp duo in collaboration with the French harpist Isabelle Perrin; and “Three Concertos for Harps”, with the participation of the French harpist Nicolás Tulliez, in the company of the Chamber Orchestra of Fine Arts.
He is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Mexico International Harp Competition and Festival and has established itself as the most important harp event in Latin America.
His great commitment with teaching stands out, he has trained successful students as well as serving concurrently as head of the Harp Departments at the School-Orchestra Carlos Chávez, at the UNAM Music Faculty and the Ollin Yoliztli School of Music.
Baltazar Juárez was born in Mexico City and began at an early age to study Mexican folk harp with his father Baltazar Juarez Madrid, later he entered the National Conservatory of Mexico. He completed his studies with Susana Mildonian at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana, Siena, Italy; and Distinguished Professor Susann McDonald at Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA, where he obtained his Performer Diploma and Artist Diploma. During his studies at Indiana University, he was appointed Graduate Assistant to Professor Susann McDonald 1998-2001.
Jung Kwak, harpist
South Korea
Harpist Jung Kwak is recognized worldwide as one of classical music’s most captivating and gifted artists. Ms. Kwak has appeared as a soloist with Zubin Mehta’s Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Tokyo String Quartet (Asia Tour), Israel Piano Trio, Yoel Levi’s Korean Broadcasting Symphony, Myung-Whun Chung’s Seoul Philharmonic, Moscow Radio & Television Symphony (Tchaikovsky Hall), Geneva Chamber Orchestra, Prague Radio & Television Orchestra, Keith Lockhart’s Boston Pops Orchestra, Korean Symphony, and many other world renowned orchestras and chamber music ensembles throughout Asia to Europe to U.S. As a recording artist, she has released 6 CDs, <Jewels>, <The Gift>, <Vivace>, <Toccata>, <Angelic Moment>, <The Best> with Universal Music. In 2016, she gave a huge successful sold-out concert at Carnegie Hall with Harpyday Ensemble and a masterclass at Curtis Institute of Music. In 2017, she was invited to Alba Italy-USA Music Festival and toured all over Italy with Harpyday Ensemble. In 2019, Ms. Kwak and Harpyday Ensemble toured in US on behalf of USA International Harp Competition and Siyo Music Foundation. Especially the Lincoln Center Concert in New York was again a huge success with a full house.
Ms. Kwak has been on a jury for many national and international competitions, most recently the world-renowned Israel International Harp Competition 2018 and the Mexico International Harp Competition 2017.
Jung Kwak received her Bachelor of Music degree from Indiana University with world renowned Susann McDonald whom she studied from age 14 and Master of Music degree from Kathleen Bride at Eastman School of Music, receiving Performer’s Certificates from both schools. Ms. Kwak is the first harpist in Asia who made her mark with a continuous exploration of all sides of the musical spectrum in concerts, recordings, teaching as well as creating a unique musical experience that is both classical and contemporary. She is one of the top harp teachers in Korea. Her young students have won prizes in many international prizes and auditions throughout the world.
Jung Kwak is currently teaching at Choong-Ang University, Yae Won Music, Art, & Dance Institute, Seoul Art High School. She is also the ambassador for United Help for International Children and Green Umbrella Children’s Foundation. She is the founder and the Artistic Director for Korea Harp
Festival, Harpyday Ensemble, the co-director of Korea International Harp Competition with Maria Luisa Rayan, and the co-founder of Asia Harp Festival. Jung Kwak is currently on the board of directors of the prestigious USA International Harp Competition and the World Harp Congress.
Doron Salomon, conductor, guitarist
Israel
Doron Salomon was born in Israel to a musical family.
Doron began his musical education at an early age, studying piano, French horn and guitar.
In 1974 he was awarded a scholarship by the American Israeli Cultural Foundation for studies overseas.
He studied at the Royal College of Music in London, specializing in conducting, composition and classical guitar. He completed the course in conducting at the Royal College with distinction, having won the Sir Adrian Boult Conducting Prize, as well as the Sir Theodor Stier Prize.
During that time, he also participated in master classes in conducting held by Maestro Franco Ferrara in Siena, Italy and Leonard Bernstein in Jerusalem.
Doron also participated in guitar master classes let by Abel Carlevaro, Alirio Diaz and Leo Bouwer. He gave recitals in Israel, Italy, Sweden, Germany and more. He also played as soloist with orchestras like: Camerata Strumentale Di Milano, Gavle symphony orchestra, Haifa symphony orchestra, Israel Philahrmonic orchestra.
In the summer of 1979, Mr. Salomon won first prize in the conducting competition held by the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra. Two weeks later he won also the first prize in the prestigious international conducting competition in Besancon-France.
This success led to invitations from all the orchestras in Israel including the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and the Israel Chamber Orchestra.
In France he conducted orchestras such as Pays de Loire, Philharmonique de Radio France, Ile de France, Nancy, National de France, Philharmonique de Lorraine and Cote d’Azur.
In September 1980, Doron Salomon received a last-minute call to replace Robert Craft at the famous Berlin Festival. The concert was a great success and led to invitations from such orchestras as RAI of Milan, Palermo Opera, Basque symphony, Sudwestfalische Philharmonie, The Warsaw Opera, the Sympony of Lublin, Sympony of Wrozlaw, Symphony of Asturias, Helsinki Philharmonic, Sheall and Symphony, Stockholm Opera, The New Israeli Opera, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, City Sinfonia of London, Northern Sinfonia of England, Chamber Orchestra of Florence, Radio Symphony of Berlin, Stockholm Opera, Brazilian Symphony, Conception Symphony, Santiago Symphony-Chile, Bogota Philharmonic, Symphony of Petrobrass in Rio, Philharmonic of Montevideo, Jerusalem Symphony,
Camerata Strumentale Di Milano, Bamberg Symphony, Berlin Chamber Orchestra, Trondheim Symphony, Stuttgart Opera, Gothenburg Symphony, Orchesta Sinfonica Brasileira, Bogota Philharmonic, Presidential Symphony of Ankara, Milano Classica, New Zealand Symphony and others.
Between 1984 and 1990 Mr. Salomon was Musical Director and Principal Conductor of the Gavleborgs Symphony Orchestra in Sweden.
From 1993 to 1999 Doron Salomon was the Musical Director of the Israel Kibbutz Chamber Orchestra. In addition to that Mr. Salomon was the Principal Conductor of the Macedonia Philharmonic Orchestra between 1994-1996.
Between 1995-2003 Mr. Salomon was the Principal Conductor and Musical Director of the Vogtland Philharmonie in Germany. With that orchestra he opened the Spring Festival in Prague-1996 with a highly acclaimed performance of Bruckner 3rd Symphony, and toured China and Spain extensively. He also accompanied the great violin virtuoso Ruggeiro Ricci in a German tour for his 80th birthday celebration.
Doron Salomon recorded with the Vogtland Philharmonie all the music for piano and orchestra by Clara Schumann with the pianist Elena Margolina and the Konzrtstueck for 4 horns and orchestra by Robert Schumann with the internationally well-known horn quartet of the Gewandhaus orchestra from Leipzig.
Between 2003-2005 Mr. Salomon was the Musical Director and Principal Conductor of the Musica Nova Consort, and between 2003-2008: artistic Director of the “Musica Sacra” festival in Nazareth.
between 2005-2013 he was Musical Director and Principal Conductor of the Israel Sinfonietta and is now their principal guest conductor.
In February 2013 maestro Salomon was asked to replace Kurt Masur for 8 concerts by the Israel Philharnonic Orchestra in a 3-hour notice. The 8 concerts were a great success and he was re invited for the next two seasons, including a series of concerts for the Israel Philharmonic 80th anniversary.
Mr. Salomon worked with musicians like: violinists-Nigel Kennedy, Nikolaj Znaider, Anna Tifu, Thomas Albertus Irnberger, Nikolaj Znaider, pianists-Boris Giltburg, Alexander Korsantia, Daniil Trifonov, Andrei Gavrilov, Dennis Matsuyev, trumpeter Hakan Hardenberg, trombonist Christian Lindberg, cellists-Alisa Weilerstein, Raphael Wallfisch, Frans Helmerson, guitarist Daniel Murray etc..
Maestro Salomon often collaborates with great non-classical musicians, among others-Brazilian singer Danilo Caymmi, Kleizmer clarinet virtuoso Giora Feidman, Brazilian guitarist and composer Chico Pinheiro, Kaval artist Theodosii Spassov, Cuban jazz pianist Ramon Valle, fusion clarinetist David Krakauer, Flamenco guitarist Baldi Olier ,and more…
Doron is the 2011 Landau prizewinner for his achievements in classical music.
He was recently also awarded a special prize for his life achievement as conductor-guitarist, by the ” Micaela Pittaluga” international guitar festival in Alesandria-Italy, the award “artist of honour” by the “sounds of the Desert” festival and the national Frank Peleg prize for his life achievements in classical music from the ministry of culture. Maestro Salomon is also very active as a recording artist.
His collaboration with the great violinist Thomas Irnberger and the Astrian “Gramola” company produced wonderful recordings with orchestras like: the Israel Chamber Orchestra, The Jerusalem Symphony, the Vienna Konzertverein, the Austrian radio Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Doron is also the producer and artistic director of the 11/11 chamber concerts series- the biggest in Israel, and the founder and music director of the International Guitar Festival in Tel Aviv.