Renee Qin

Biography

Canadian young harpist Renée Qin began her classical music training with the piano at the age of four. Her fascination with the harp started with the learning of a traditional Chinese instrument - Konghou at the age of nine. Then, Renée studied harp with the University of British Columbia professor and retired VSO principal harpist, Elizabeth Volp é Bligh . Attending the Curtis Institute of Music Summerfest Harp Colony in 2019, Renée worked extensively with Elizabeth Hainen and Judy Loman. She also attended orchestral and chamber music education at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestral Institute under the guidance of Maestro Otto Tausk.

Renée was the principal harpist of the Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra from 2017 to 2020. During her time with the VYSO, she has also performed Symphonie Fantastique by Berlioz and Peer Gynt by Grieg along with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at the Orpheum Theatre . In addition, Renée has also performed several repertoires by Stravinsky and Wagner with the University of British Columbia Symphony Orchestra at the Chan Cent re while she was still in high school.

Renée is a First Prize Winner of the Canadian Music Competition in 2018, and received a scholarship from West Coast Harp Society the same year. She is the winner of the Concerto Competition by the Canadian International Music Society, and a 2nd place winner of the BSO Young Artist Competition in 2019.

As a soloist, Renée was featured in concerts by multiple orchestras and ensembles including ALNMO, Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra, Harmonia Chamber Orchestra, etc. She has also performed in several prestigious venues including Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York City, Field Concert Hall at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, and the Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver.

Convinced that music is a common language among humanity and an invitation to form deeper connections, Renée is an active volunteer and leader of her youth-run non-profit organization "The Music Connect Project" to promote musical interactions in communities. In 2018, she held harp workshops and solo recitals several times at multiple libraries across Lower Mainland British Columbia, receiving enthusiastic participation and applause from the local audience members.

Renée is currently attending Stanford University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree -- double majoring in economics and music.