Member Profile

KIRSTEN AGRESTA COPELY has charmed audiences internationally since she began study of the harp at the age of five. By the time she was fourteen, she was soloist on a full tour of the British Isles and has since performed extensively as a solo artist throughout the United States, Europe, South America, Israel, Japan, and the South Pacific. Known for her passionate performances and versatility, Kirsten commands a wide range of genres from classical to hip hop. She has been awarded top national and international prizes and honors, including the Bronze Medal in the prestigious 1989 USA International Harp Competition. Kirsten debuted as concerto soloist at Lincoln Center (Avery Fisher Hall) and Carnegie Hall, where she has also performed numerous solo recitals. 

Following a feature in People Magazine, she was presented on segments of NBC, CBS, and ABC-TV and later made appearances on MTV, Saturday Night Live, Late Night with David Letterman, The Early Show, and the Today Show. Kirsten was also seen on the 2014 CMA Country Christmas show on ABC-TV, playing with LeAnn Rimes, Idina Menzel, Carrie Underwood, Alan Jackson, and host Jennifer Nettles. In Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center, and the outdoor concert venues of Live8 and Lollapalooza, Kirsten has played alongside artists such as: Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Kanye West, Adam Levine, John Legend, The Roots, Enya, and Norwegian soprano Sissel. She is featured on Erykah Badu's album, New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankhand can be heard on albums with Lionel Richie, Alison Krauss, Bonobo, and numerous movie soundtracks, including "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" and "Sex and the City 2."

Kirsten has also privately performed for notable officials and dignitaries, such as: Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, and former Vice President Al Gore. In 2010, Kirsten had the privilege of performing with Beyoncé for President & Mrs. Obama at the second official White House State Dinner, honoring Mexican President Felipe Calderón.  

Recent notable performances include performing with Frank Ocean at the 2014 MET Gala, "4 Intimate Nights with Beyoncé" at Roseland Ballroom in NYC, and with Jay Z at Carnegie Hall, benefiting United Way of NYC and the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation. 

KIRSTEN AGRESTA COPELY studied with Nancy Allen at The Juilliard School and Distinguished Professor Susann McDonald at Indiana University. She received her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from Indiana University, where she was awarded the Performer’s Certificate for outstanding musical performance and also served as Associate Instructor of the Harp Department from 1991-93. She is a member of the Music Faculty at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY, and teaches private harp & piano lessons from her studio in Nashville, TN and NYC. Kirsten is a core member of the INTERSECTION contemporary music ensemble, a member of the World Harp Congress Board of Directors, a Voting Member of the Grammy Recording Academy (NARAS), and a member of ASCAP. Kirsten currently resides in Nashville, TN.