A person with short, curly hair leans against a harp, wearing a black jacket with white stripes, looking at the camera against a white background.

Teresa Emilia Raff

Harpist Teresa Emilia Raff pushes the perceived boundaries of her instrument. For her, the harp is a seismograph of human emotions: “The harp has such a wealth of resonances that I can express a wide spectrum of emotions on it.”

With support from the Concerto21 Foundation, she is developing her own repertoire in which she combines the harp with her voice. The result is a personal musical language that bridges classical and independent music.

Her debut album, Alone with the Universe, set for release in 2027, presents the harp in dialogue with her voice, cello, and string quartet as a multifaceted instrument of expression—a kaleidoscopic portrait dedicated to the experience of solitude.

“Today, I often think about just how extraordinary this gift really was. Over the years, the support has evolved from intensive guidance to a behind-the-scenes connection that continues to sustain me to this day. I can still turn to them for advice on important matters—and I continue to feel the momentum this unique scholarship has given me.” — Teresa Emilia Raff