========
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Run through April 15, 2025
Boston’s “Hip Harpist” Live on Tour in Europe
MEDIA Contact: Joy Monteverdi / info (at) hipharp.com
========
Boston’s Harp Revolutionary Embarks on European Performance Tour
Grammy-Nominated Electric Harpist Deborah Henson-Conant
Brings Groundbreaking “DHC Harp” on Tour to Germany, France, Wales & Scotland
BOSTON, MA (February 27, 2025) — Boston’s musical innovator Deborah Henson-Conant (“DHC”), who revolutionized the harp world by taking the instrument off its pedestal, shrinking it down, strapping it on, and plugging it in, embarks on a European tour this spring featuring both high-energy concerts and immersive workshops that celebrate her transformative career and share her lifetime of performance expertise.
Finding a Creative Home in Boston
Henson-Conant came to Boston in the early 80’s from her native California and fell in love with the creative diversity and support for the arts “It’s the hub of culture and innovation, with landmark institutions like MIT, Berklee, the Boston Symphony — it’s the combination of cultural institutions that fascinated me – and the early support I received from the Mass Cultural Council for my work determined me to stay here and make it home.”
Groundbreaking Compositions
Henson-Conant’s seminal work “Baroque Flamenco,” which debuted at Boston’s Symphony Hall with the Boston Pops in the late 80s, has become a competition piece in Europe and is now performed by harpists and orchestras worldwide. The piece recently achieved a historic milestone when it was reimagined as a concerto for Ukraine’s national instrument, the bandura, with its world premiere in Ukraine.
“This kind of creative ‘species jump,’ where a composition transcends its original instrument, represents a special moment in music,” says Henson-Conant. “It shows how musical ideas can build bridges across instrumental traditions and cultures. This case is particularly significant because, for centuries, the tradition has been for harpists to adapt works from other instruments for the harp. The adaptation of my concerto is a historical reversal — a concert work originally created for harp has found its way into the repertoire of a different instrument. I’m honored to be part of this meaningful exchange.”
Revolutionary Approach to the Harp
Known affectionately in the harp world as “DHC,” Henson-Conant single-handedly redefined what’s possible for an instrument traditionally relegated to the back of the orchestra. Her boundary-breaking performances combine virtuosic musicianship with theatrical storytelling, technological innovation, and genre-blending compositions that mix Blues, jazz, Latin, flamenco and Musical Theater.
The Buffalo News described DHC: “Plays the harp like a dream, sings and plays the blues with a deep spirituality, expressiveness and harmonic sense matched by few other performers…” “A stunning original musician and a warm and amusing raconteur…” said the Richmond Times Dispatch.
The “DHC Harp” Journey
Henson-Conant developed much of her seminal work in the Boston area — in collaboration with ensembles like the Boston Pops and New England String Ensemble, co-productions with theaters like Lyric Stage, Regent and Central Square Theater and art centers like Shalin Lui, and Center for Arts in Natick. “These are the places I spread my wings and developed new work to take to Europe and beyond,” she notes.
While Boston provided this creative foundation, it was her connections to Europe that sparked the electric “hip harp” – an 11-lb wearable carbon fibre harp. Her determination to merge physical freedom, musical expression and practical functionality led to her historic collaboration with the French CAMAC Harp company to create the “DHC Harp”—her signature instrument now played by musicians across the globe. This revolutionary journey is chronicled—in both story and music—in her 2018 TEDx talk, which has inspired harpists and innovators worldwide.
“I was inspired by people like Hugh Herr at the MIT Media Lab – a leader in prosthetics. If prosthetic limbs can become part of the human body, surely an instrument can do the same, expanding the self-expression as if this instrument were a part of the body.”
International Recognition and Artistic Evolution
This European journey comes after a decade of significant accomplishments including a Lifetime Achievement Award, growing demand for her compositions, and the grassroots funding success of her musical “The Golden Cage” where fans and supporters helped her raise over $100,000 to produce and film a work which now streams as an independent film and is currently in preparation for live theater production.
Legacy of Creative Freedom
Today, Henson-Conant splits her time between composing, performing, and managing her growing online Hip Harp Academy, guiding harpists worldwide in the skills of improvisation and musical storytelling. Her “DHC Legacy Project” makes the works that established her international career available to develop new careers for harpists, while her “Legacy Bridge Project” pairs sponsors with performers who want to feature her compositions but lack funding.
The upcoming European tour reflects this commitment to education and legacy, with each stop featuring not only performances but also intensive workshops and retreats. “These workshops are a chance to share a lifetime of developing improvisation and performance skills – not just in music but in movement, theater and dance,” says Henson-Conant. “Working with both professional harpists and passionate amateurs allows me to share practical tools I’ve discovered over my career – helping them more easily unlock their own creative voices.”
“The work I’m doing now extends the Boston innovative spirit globally,” Henson-Conant explains. “Through my DHC Legacy Bridge Project we’re currently pairing sponsors with performer for orchestral and educational initiatives that use my work in Ukraine, France, and the UK.”
Critical Acclaim
The New York Times credited Henson-Conant with “reshaping the serenely Olympian harp into a jazz instrument,” while the Boston Globe called her “a combination of Leonard Bernstein, Steven Tyler and Xena, the Warrior Princess.”
NPR’s “On Point Radio” captured her innovative approach: “Virtuoso out-of-the box harpist… She took the ancient instrument off its pedestal, cocked it on her hip, and made it play everything from Mexican cantina music to Brubeck to gut-bucket blues.”
Henson-Conant returns to Boston mid-April.
Tour Dates & Events:
Germany
- Fri. Mar. 28, 2025 (7:30 PM) [CONCERT] “Two Hip Harps in Concert” with Evelyn Huber – Bürgersaal Altdorf, Landshut, Germany – TIX
- Sat. Mar. 29 – Sun. Mar. 30 [WORKSHOP] – 2-Day “Improv Freedom” Workshop – Bürgersaal Altdorf, Landshut, Germany – TIX
Paris, France
- Mon. Mar. 31 – Thu. Apr. 3 [COMPOSING] Private Midi Harp Retreat – CAMAC Harp Company, Paris
- Fri. Apr. 4 (8 PM) [CONCERT] Concert Exceptionnel – Espace CAMAC, Paris – TIX
- Sat. Apr. 5 (3 PM) [WORKSHOP] Atelier d’Improvisation – Espace CAMAC, Paris – TIX
South Wales
- Sun. Apr. 6 – Wed. Apr. 9 [3-DAY WORKSHOP] “Harp Radiance” Retreat with Deborah Henson-Conant & Shelley Fairplay – Court Colman Manor, South Wales – TIX
- Mon. Apr 7 (7 PM) [CONCERT] DHC Concert in Harp Radiance Retreat – Court Colman Manor, South Wales – SIGNUP
Scotland
- Fri. Apr. 11 (7:30 PM) [CONCERT] DHC Concert in Edinburgh Festival – George Watson’s College, Edinburgh, Scotland – TIX
- Fri. Apr. 11 – Tue. Apr. 15 [FESTIVAL] Edinburgh International Harp Festival – George Watson’s College, Edinburgh, Scotland – TIX
- Sun. Apr. 13 (11 AM) [WORKSHOP] “Introduction to Improvisation” Workshop – George Watson’s College, Edinburgh, Scotland – TIX
RELATED VIDEO: Watch composer-performer Deborah Henson-Conant’s performance highlights.
ABOUT THE EVENTS
MUNICH, GERMANY | Bürgersaal Altdorf
-
Fri. Mar. 28 ~ 7:30 PM ~ “Two Hip Harps in Concert” with Evelyn Huber ~ TIX
-
Sat. Mar. 29 – Sun. Mar. 30 ~ Two-day “Improv Freedom” Workshop ~ TIX
Legendary GRAMMY-Nominated American electric harpist and singer Deborah Henson-Conant joins forces with German virtuoso Evelyn Huber, for an electrifying evening of duo improvisations that push the boundaries of what you thought possible on the harp. In “2 Hip Harps on Stage,” these two masterful performers weave together Jazz, Latin, Blues, Flamenco, and Classical influences to create a spellbinding sonic tapestry that transcends borders and genres.
Deborah will also conduct a workshop called “Improv Freedom”. This combines different modalities of improv, including all the modalities that Deborah studied including dance and movement improv, theater improv, and musical improv with a large group of harpists.
PARIS, FRANCE | Espace CAMAC
-
Mon. Mar. 31 – Thu. Apr. 3 ~ Private Midi Harp Retreat
-
Fri. April 4 ~ 8 PM ~ Solo Concert ~ Espace CAMAC~ TIX
-
Sat. April 5 ~ 3 PM ~ Atelier d’Improvisation (Harp Improv Workshop) ~ TIX
Deborah’s affiliation with CAMAC Harps led to the DHC electric harp, her signature electric harp. As an innovator, DHC designed her own electric harp in collaboration with CAMAC Harps.
CAMAC is an innovator in the harp field with many different kinds of harps, including a MIDI harp, which is normally used as a MIDI controller but it can also be used for composers to play harp parts into the computer using the harp as a controller. Because DHC is an improvising performer on the harp, it’s the perfect instrument to help her capture much of her music.
But, making the technical connections can be harder than you think. DHC visited Paris last year, but they weren’t able to make the harp play nice with her computer, so she’s coming back again with a new computer to try it once again.
Deborah is set to have a concert in L’espace CAMAC. In this electrifying solo show, she will showcase an exceptional performance for her French audience. She will also be doing a workshop there about improvisations on the harp. It is called Atelier d’Improvisation (Harp Improv Workshop).
BRIDGEND, SOUTH WALES | Court Colman Manor
-
Sun. Apr. 6 – Wed. Apr. 9 ~ Harp Radiance Retreat (Wales) with Shelley Fairplay ~ TIX
-
Mon. Apr. 7 ~ 7 PM ~ Harp Radiance: DHC Concert ~ TIX
In collaboration with the Fairplay Harp School, more than 40 harpists will be converging in Wales for the first-ever Harp Radiance community retreat with two of the most dynamic online harp mentors in the world, Deborah Henson-Conant and Shelley Fairplay.
This is a rare opportunity for both of them to work together with a large group of harpists to create a community atmosphere to learn improv performance techniques and new skills.
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND | George Watson’s College
-
Fri. Apr. 11 ~ 7:30 PM ~ Solo Concert ~ TIX
-
Sat. Apr. 12 – Tue. Apr. 15 ~ Edinburgh Harp Festival ~ TIX
-
Sun. Apr. 13 ~ 11 AM ~ “Introduction to Improvisation” Workshop ~ TIX
Thirty years ago, the Edinburgh Harp Festival invited DHC to teach blues to the Celtic Harp players. But what started out as a visiting artist turned into a lifelong cultural exchange.
And DHC was deeply influenced by the Scottish performing styles that combine storytelling and music seamlessly connected, and by the Scottish harp. It was there that she first saw a Camac Electro Harp. And with a rock band, she saw how powerful an electric harp could be.
From there, she became obsessed with the idea of a wearable harp. She created her own prototype and brought it to the head of the Camac Harp Company, whom she met at the Edinburgh Harp Festival. It was through that collaboration that the ubiquitous DHC harp was born.
She’ll be performing solo and she’ll be bringing that harp back to the stage where it first triggered her imagination in a solo concert at George Watson’s College, Colinton Road, Edinburgh.
For more information, high-resolution photos, or to schedule an interview with Deborah Henson-Conant, please use this contact form
About Deborah Henson-Conant
Deborah Henson-Conant is a GRAMMY®-Nominated performer who revolutionized the harp by collaborating with CAMAC Harps to create the electric “DHC Harp” – an instrument she wears like a musical centaur. Her performances blend virtuosic playing with storytelling, humor, and theatrical flair. The Boston-based artist writes her own concertos and orchestral works that combine elements of blues, jazz, Latin, folk, classical, and musical theater. Her compositions are now performed by harpists and orchestras worldwide. Her 2018 TEDx talk “Reinventing Freedom” chronicles her journey to reimagine the harp for the modern era and has become a touchstone for musical innovators. For more information, visit HipHarp.com.
HI-RES PHOTO LINKS: Composer-performer Deborah Henson-Conant
Hello, I would like to signup for the composing retreat in Paris but I can’t find the link. It seems like a private retreat. Is that possible to sign up now?
Thank you very much.
Hi Mina! Thank you so much for your question and your interest. You’re right that this is a totally private retreat — meaning, it’s just me … and ME! It’s a chance for me to focus on the technical side of composing using the CAMAC Midi-Harp. If you’re interested in developing your composition focus with me, consider the Harness Your Muse program. We plan to open up a new cohort of that later this year — but you can apply now at HarnessYourMuse.com / https://www.hipharp.com/academy/hymm-harness-your-muse-info-page/. Thanks so much for asking and congratulations on being a composer!