Composer Catalog 

Deborah Henson-Conant is a Grammy-nominated composer, performer and creative mentor, who combines story, music and – in her own performances – electric harp. Her works range from one-woman operas and song cycles, to musical theater, suites, and concertos.

As a performing composer, she’s premiered dozens of her own works for electric harp, voice and orchestra with both regional and national ensembles from the Pittsburgh and Baltimore Symphonies to the Bechtler Ensemble and Fulcrum Point New Music Ensemble.

She’s performed her music-theater works at the Chicago Humanities Festival, Kennedy Center, Boston’s Lyric Stage and Central Square Theater.

Her works have been performed and adapted by others

Inventor of her own signature instrument, the “DHC” electric body-harp, she performs with this wearable instrument which is manufactured by CAMAC harp company in France and now played by harpists around the world. Her TEDx talk tells the story of its invention.

She’s received grants and awards from NEA, “Meet the Composer” and private completion grants including a major private grant from philanthropist Peter Wege to complete and perform “Invention & Alchemy” – a full-length original symphonic story-music program with the Grand Rapids Symphony for DVD, CD and PBS broadcast- which received a GRAMMY- Nomination for “Best Classical Crossover Album,” and appeared on PBS Stations throughout the US.

Her operatic works for soprano and chamber ensemble were featured in Boston University’s 2014 “Mythic Women” collaborative chamber ensemble project. Her concertos “Soñando en Español” and “Baroque Flamenco” are performed by harp soloists with orchestras internationally

Stories with Music: Music Theater, Opera, Operetta & Song Cycles 

• The Golden Cage – Two-character musical. (CreateTheater New Works Festival 2022; Streaming Musical release 2023)
• Songs of the Pyre (Song Cycle) & Persephone Lost (One-Woman One-Act Opera) – for soprano, harp, cello and piano (Boston University Chamber Ensemble Project 2014)
• Electra’s Lyre – One-Woman music theater (2011 Regent Theatre, Arlington, MA)
• Shrunk (or Honey, I Shrunk the Harp) – One-woman music theater movement piece (2010 Regent Theatre, Arlington, MA)
• In the Wings (or What the Hell are you Doing in the Waiting Room for Heaven??) – One-woman musical (2009 Central Square Theatre, Cambridge, MA)
• The Frog Princess – An allegory for acting singer and symphony. (2001, Buffalo Philharmonic, The Kennedy Center “Imagination Celebration,” Chicago Humanities Festival)

Orchestral & Chamber Ensemble Works

Multi-Movement Works

• Soñando en Español – Harp Concerto (2016 Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, 2023 Salzburg Philharmonic)
• Concierto Dobles – Concerto for 2 harps and symphony (2001 Prague Radio Orchestra) unavailable
• Stress Analysis of a Strapless Evening Gown – 5-Movement suite for narrator, harp and symphony (2001 premiere with the Springfield Symphony (MA))
• Season of Celebration – Two 5-movement holiday suites for harp and string orchestra (1996-97 premiere with the New England String Ensemble)

Single-Movement Works for Electric Harp, Voice and Orchestra

Premiered with orchestras like Baltimore Symphony, Salzburg Philharmonic, Boston Pops, Grand Rapids Symphony – and chamber ensembles like The Bechtler Ensemble, RESQ String Quartet, Red Limo String Quarter. including:

• 996 for cello, electric-acoustic concert harp and orchestra or chamber ensemble*
• Baroque Flamenco for electric-acoustic concert harp and orchestra or chamber ensemble*
• Belinda for Electric Lever Harp, Voice and orchestra or chamber ensemble*
• Califypso for Electric Harp (pedal or lever) and orchestra or chamber ensemble*
• Catcher in the Rye for Electric Lever Harp, Voice and orchestra or chamber ensemble*
• Celtic Minstrel & the Wild Harp for Electric Lever Harp, Voice and orchestra or chamber ensemble*
• Congratulations, You Made it This Far for Voice and orchestra or chamber ensemble*
• Cosita Latina for Electric Lever Harp and orchestra or chamber ensemble*
• Dance with Me for Electric Lever Harp, Voice and orchestra
• Danger Zone (The) for Electric Lever Harp, Voice and orchestra*
• Dogs of Somerville for Electric Harp, voice and orchestra
• I Love My Garbageman for Voice and orchestra or chamber ensemble*
• Joy to the World/El Niño Jesus for Electric Harp (lever or pedal) and orchestra
• Mason’s Apron (The) for Electric Lever Harp and orchestra
• Merceditas for Electric Pedal Harp and orchestra or chamber ensemble*
• My Mother’s Mexican Hat for Electric Pedal Harp and orchestra or chamber ensemble*
• New Blues for Electric Harp (lever or pedal) and orchestra or chamber ensemble*
• Nightingale, The for Voice, Electric Harp (lever or pedal) and orchestra or chamber ensemble*
• Pava Diablo for Electric Harp (lever or pedal) and orchestra
• Phoenix (The) for Electric Harp (lever or pedal) and orchestra
• Siana’s Dream: The Music Box for Electric Harp (lever or pedal) and orchestra
• Way You Are Blues (The) for Voice, Electric Lever Harp and orchestra or chamber ensemble

Recording Projects

• Essential DHC (2018) – Double-Album Compilation
• Invention & Alchemy CD (2007) – With the Grand Rapids Symphony GRAMMY-Nominated (Classical Crossover)  
• Artist’s Proof (2004) – Solo harp, voice, bass and strings (Singer/Songwriter)
• The Frog Princess (2000) – Story, Song & Symphony (Musical Theater/Spoken Word/Children’s)
• The Celtic Album (1998) – Solo harps (Celtic)
• Altered Ego (1998) – Solo harp and voice (Singer/Songwriter)
• Just for You (1995) – Harp, voice, bass and percussion (Jazz-Influenced Originals)
• The Gift (1995) – Solo harps (Traditional Holiday Music)
• ‘Round the Corner (1993) – Harp, bass and drums (Jazz Standards)
• Naked Music (1994) – Solo harp and voice (Singer/Songwriter)
• Budapest (1992),
• Talking Hands (1991),
• Caught in the Act (1990),
• On the Rise (1989) –
Harp, bass, guitar, percussion and synthesizer (Contemporary Jazz)
• Songs My Mother Sang (1983)  – CD with Lyrics & Coloring Book – Solo harp and voice for Children

Prizes, Awards, Private Grants & Commissions

• 2022 “The Golden Cage” at CreateTheater New Works Festival – Best Musical Score, Most Innovative Production, Best Actor
• 2018 TEDx Speaker – Natick MA
• 2013 Citizen Cultural Ambassador to Paraguay
• 2007 Grammy Nomination (Classical Crossover) for “Invention & Alchemy” CD
• 2007 International Songwriting Competition First Prize in Instrumental category for “Danger Zone” for electric harp and orchestra
• 2007 Mass Council on the Arts production grant for “Inviting Invention” Cross-Discipline Collaboration Series with the Cambridge Science Festival
• 2005 Private Grant (Peter Wege / Steelcase Corporation). Development and production of original DVD/CD and TV special “Invention & Alchemy” for symphony and soloist
• 1985 NEA Study Grant
• 1985 Meet the Composer Grant for “The Zero Club”
• 1984 & 1982 Massachusetts Artists Fellowship for Composition