Grace Browning
Principal, The Eileen Malone Chair, A Tribute by Mr. and Mrs. Harcourt M. Sylvester
Praised for her “superb technical acumen and sensitive musicality” (South Florida Classical Review), Grace Browning has quickly established herself as a versatile ensemble harpist, dynamic soloist, and passionate teaching artist. Equally at home with both symphonic and operatic repertoire, Grace was appointed Principal Harpist of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra in 2017 and the Santa Fe Opera in 2015. She can be heard on both ensemble’s GRAMMY award-winning albums: The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs and American Rapture.
Her love for opera began in 2014 when Grace won her first position as Principal Harpist of The Dallas Opera. In 2018, she made her debut with the Metropolitan Opera, performing Puccini’s Tosca, Bizet’s Carmen, and Wagner’s Siegfried. During her time in Texas, she regularly pe
rformed with the Dallas Symphony and the Philadelphia Orchestra, and was invited to perform as Guest Principal during the Houston Symphony’s 2018 European Tour. She has participated in music festivals around the globe, including the Tanglewood Music Center, Spoleto Festival USA, Aspen Music Festival, Pacific Music Festival, and the National Repertory Orchestra.
A natural and charismatic presence on stage, Grace has performed as a soloist with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Pacific Symphony, New World Symphony, and the National Repertory Orchestra. In 2015, she won the Young Texas Artist’s First Prize for Winds, Brass, Percussi
on & Harp, as well as the Aspen Music Festival Harp Concerto Competition. After completing her three-year fellowship at the New World Symphony in 2014, Grace was invited to return as both soloist and coach and had the honor to perform as a featured alumna for the Michael Tilson Thomas 70th Birthday Gala. As a chamber musician, she collaborates regularly with the Society for Chamber Music in Rochester, the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, and Chatter ABQ.
Originally from Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, Grace received her Master of Music degree from the Juilliard School in 2011, following two years at the University of Michigan (B.M. 2009) and two years at the Eastman School of Music. In her spare time, Grace enjoys practicing yoga, singing in the Third Presbyterian Church choir, and spoiling her sweet rescue dog, Annie.
