Biography

Milo Harper is devoted to showcasing the possibilities of the harp; he explores its history and poeticism by thoughtfully curating / transcribing music from both recognised and historically underrepresented composers.

Currently based in London, Milo is a soloist on the Munster Trust Recital Scheme and also the Harp Fellow for the Philharmonia Orchestra's MMSF scheme. He pursues a variety of work, often performing with various orchestras including the Philharmonia, Britten Sinfonia, London Philharmonic Orchestra, and English Touring Opera. He recently returned to the UK from New York City, having completed his Masters with Emmanuel Ceysson (Metropolitan Opera, LA Phil) at The New School's Mannes School of Music, where he was awarded the Performing Arts Scholarship. At Mannes he was also coached by renowned jazz harpist Brandee Younger as a member of the Alice Coltrane Ensemble. These studies were sponsored by the Hattori Foundation, the Countess of Munster Musical Trust and the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Julius Isserlis Scholarship. Prior to his time in NYC, he completed his Bachelors at the Royal Academy of Music, where he received the D Day Fund Award and the Robert Alva Memorial Prize for outstanding achievement, having studied with Karen Vaughan (LSO) and Skaila Kanga (Abbey Road Studios). 

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As a soloist, Milo has won competitions including the Camac Harp Competition (2018), the North London Festival President's Prize Competition (2018) and the Royal Academy of Music's Guy Magrath Harp Prize (2019). He has also toured globally, giving solo performances at the World Harp Congress (Hong Kong, 2017) and Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall (NYC, 2019) and concertos in the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Hong Kong, and Singapore. He is the harpist for LGT Young Soloists, with whom he has been featured on several albums released by Sony/RCA Red Seal Records. Previously, he was Principal Harp for the European Union Youth Orchestra (2019), a Britten-Pears Young Artist (2020), and Principal Harp for the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain (2014). 

Regular collaborations in chamber music include duos with trumpeter Aaron Akugbo and flautist Frederico Paixão. Previous engagements in Musical Theatre include depping for the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory UK Tour, La cage aux folles at the Regents Park Open Air Theatre, and the Thursford Christmas Spectacular. He has also appeared on-screen in films including Downton Abbey (2019) and The Little Mermaid (2023). Not limited by genre, he also has experience working with various jazz groups, singer-songwriters, producers and contemporary composers.