Emily Mitchell

Emily Mitchell has earned critical acclaim as “a marvelous harpist” (The New York Times) who captivates her audiences with “playing of the utmost delicacy, beauty and subtlety” (Records and Recording). In the words of The Washington Post, “Mitchell commands a vivid palette of colors and uses them with imagination.” 

An Eastman School of Music degree along with an Associate from the Royal College of Music precluded Mitchell’s stunning first prize win at the seventh (1979) International Harp Contest in Jerusalem. She was immediately engaged by Columbia Artists Management and Community Concerts. Propelled onto the concert stage in all 50 United States, Mitchell offered a performance dynamic of standard harp repertoire coupled with Celtic harp and vocals giving her recitals charm and versatility. Mitchell’s three top-selling RCA Victor CDs Irish Harp Songs, A Celtic Christmas and Flying Dreams are testament to the popularity that has served her for over 30 years.

During the 1980s, Mitchell made her Carnegie Hall debut with Sir James Galway and the Orchestra of St. Lukes in a performance of the Mozart Concerto for Flute and Harp. She was presented before Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother at the King’s Lynn Festival, and Prince Philip at a Waldorf-Astoria Hotel benefit in NYC. Mitchell was invited to perform for First Lady Rosalyn Carter at The White House. She shared the stage with Robert White, tenor, at the House of Representatives performing for House Speaker Tip O’Neill and members of Congress. Media credits include The Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN, BBC, Arts & Entertainment, NPR’s Performance Today, and People Magazine. 

Mitchell was principal harpist for the EOS Orchestra in NYC (1992–2002). She was an established name in the television, motion picture, and recording studios of NYC, and taught on the faculties of New York University and Purchase College. Mitchell’s discography also includes her recordings for Albany Records and Koch International Classics.

Residing in Albuquerque NM since 2018, Mitchell has continued to work with the New Mexico Philharmonic, Santa Fe Symphony, Opera Southwest, and Acting Principal Harpist for the El Paso Symphony Orchestra from 2020–2023. Mitchell is presently teaching on the music faculty at UTEP.