Harpist

Solo, chamber, and orchestral harpist Lauren Swain has studied with Nashville-based Professor Carol McClure, Artistic Director of The Harp School, as well as having learned in masterclass performance and private lessons with world-renowned artists Parker Ramsay, Isabelle Moretti, Catherine Michel, Gabriella Dall’Olio, Maria Luisa Rayan, Judy Loman, Elinor Bennett, June Han, Elizabeth Hainen, Barbara Allen, Nancy Allen, and Ben Creighton Griffiths. During the past five years, Lauren has won prizes in numerous national and international competitions, including the Young Artists’ Harp Competition, the Hong Kong Harp Competition, Midwest Harp Festival Competition, the Great Composers International Competition, and the International Grande Music Competition. Lauren was selected as a national prize winner in harp by YoungArts National Competition, 2021, as well as winning (with her duet partner) First Prize in the United States International Duo Piano Competition (Denver). In 2022, Lauren competed in and won First Prize in the Lyon and Healy Awards Competition (Chicago). In 2023, she was awarded Second Prize in the Wales International Harp Competition [Chief Musician] in Caernarfon, Wales.

Lauren holds the Associate of the Royal Schools of Music (ARSM) with Distinction, the Diploma of the Royal Schools of Music (DipABRSM) with Distinction, the Licentiate of the Royals Schools of Music (LRSM) with Distinction, and the Fellowship of the Royal Schools of Music (FRSM), awarded in June, 2023, upon presentation of her dissertation, “A Performer’s Perspective: Works by Four Twentieth Century Female Composers That Merit Inclusion in Mainstream Harp Performance Repertoire”.

In January of 2024, Lauren made her debut in Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall as a First Prize-winner in the Crescendo International Music Competition. Lauren was selected as Third Prize-winner in the 2024 edition of the Glowing Harp Competition. Most recently, Lauren was awarded Second Prize in the Franz Josef Reinl Harp Competition held in Vienna, Austria, in September of 2025.

Lauren is an active performer and recitalist in the southern Pennsylvania and northern Maryland regions. She has performed at many of the most respected venues in the area including the National Press Club, the Capitol Hill Club, Green Grove Gardens, William Irvine Memorial Chapel at Mercersburg Academy, Grant Street Loft, Raspberry Plain Manor, the National Golf Club, and Martin’s Valley Mansion. She is an experienced performer in all types of occasions from banquets and celebrations of life to weddings and corporate events.

Besides music, Lauren enjoys reading historical fiction and biographies. She also loves baking cupcakes and cookies.

Lauren’s website.