Alice Giles - Director

Alice Giles has been acclaimed as one of the world's leading harp soloists. The Australian-born musician first attracted international notice when she won First Prize in the 8th Israel International Harp Contest at the age of 21. Since then she has performed extensively both in recital and with orchestras in Europe, America, Australia, and Israel. She presented her first solo recital at the age of 13 at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, was awarded the coveted Churchill International Fellowship and an Australia Council Grant to study in the USA, and made her New York debut recital at Merkin Hall in 1983. Her teachers include June Loney, Alice Chalifoux and Judith Liber. 

Genevieve Lang

At times run off her feet, Genevieve Lang has delighted in the variety of ensembles and orchestras with which she has performed. Her long association with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra as Guest Principal Harp has confirmed the island state as her 'spiritual home'. Genevieve is dedicated to sharing her passion for Western classical music with audiences and as such, has regularly appeared as pre-concert speaker for the Sydney Symphony, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and Musica Viva. 

Ingrid Bauer

New Zealand-born Ingrid Bauer now resides in Brisbane. Holding First Class Honours from the Australian National University, most recently Ingrid was invited to compete in the prestigious ARD International Music Competition in Munich. She is a regular guest with the Tasmanian, Queensland and New Zealand symphony orchestras. Ingrid's self-confessed long-standing love affair with chamber music sees her regularly presenting recitals with friends and colleagues in Australia and across the ditch.

Laura Tanata

Laura Tanata remains the most mysterious member of SHE. She performs regularly with the Canberra-based Griffyn Ensemble, which presents a wide range of contemporary music, particularly championing works by Australian composers. A graduate of the ANU, for her Masters project, Laura combined her love of music with her passion for visual design, creating a series of black and white tableau to accompany SHE performances of Salzedo's Bolmimerie (included on the new CD). 

Liena Lacey

Liena Lacey originally hailed from Melbourne where she studied at the Melbourne Conservatorium before moving to Canberra to complete a postgraduate diploma in performance with Alice Giles. Liena's musical energies are focused on expanding the range of music to which the harp can contribute. She is currently performing with tango band Los Jovenes del Tango and has previously collaborated with didgeridoo, erhu, jazz singers and early instrumentalists, to name but a few!

Tegan Peemoeller

A relative latecomer to the harp, Tegan Peemoeller commenced her harp studies with Alice Giles in 1999, and gave her first solo recital at the age of 18 before completing her Honours degree in Harp Performance in 2008. Next stop was Italy for further studies before entering the 2009 International Harp Contest in Israel. Singing is Tegan's first love, and it is her voice you can hear in the haunting verses of Martin & Peter Wesley-Smith's Seven Widows at the Gates of Sugamo (on the new Tall Poppies CD TP204).

Hilary Manning

Hilary's harp studies have taken her half way around the world, from her home town of Narrandera in south west New South Wales, via Canberra - with Alice Giles - to Toronto, Helsinki and back again. Performance highlights include concerts for the National Gallery of Australia, with the Australian International Summer Orchestra Institute, and with SHE for the ABC Classic FM live concert series. 

Seven Harp Ensemble