Biography

Devoted to showcasing the harp's rich history and poetic depth, Milo Harper explores a broad spectrum of music from both well-known and underrepresented composers.

Based between Berlin and London, Milo is currently the Harp 'Akademist' for the Berlin Staatskapelle (Berlin State Opera), performing in the orchestra for the 2024-2026 seasons. Prior to this, he was a Philharmonia Instrumental Fellow and a soloist for the Munster Trust Recital Scheme. He has performed with orchestras including the Berlin Staatskapelle, Philharmonia, London Philharmonic Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, Philharmonie Baden-Baden, English Touring Opera and European Union Youth Orchestra.

Alongside his role at the Staatskapelle, Milo is pursuing further Masters studies with Sivan Magen at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler, supported by a Deutschlandstipendium. In 2022 he completed a Masters with Emmanuel Ceysson in New York City 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 funded by the Hattori Foundation, the Countess of Munster Musical Trust and the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Julius Isserlis Scholarship. Prior to his time in New York, Milo earned 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 and Skaila Kanga. His development has also been shaped by courses with Marie-Pierre Langlamet and Sylvain Blassel, as well as masterclasses with many of the world’s foremost harpists.

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 collaborators in chamber music include trumpeter Aaron Akugbo, flautist Frederico Paixão and cellist Nina Kiva. Previous experience in Musical Theatre includes 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.