Kirsten Agresta Copely

Biography

KIRSTEN AGRESTA COPELY is a GRAMMY® Nominated, international award-winning harpist, composer, and arranger that has made music in four continents for heads of state, in blockbuster movie soundtracks, alongside Billboard 100 artists, on late night television, and on the most recognized stages in the world.

Copely's 2023 album, Aquamarine, was nominated for the 66th GRAMMY® Award for Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album. In this personal and heartfelt homage to her mother, and to their mutual love of the sea, Kirsten Agresta-Copely brings to us beautiful and unparalleled musical creations, all of which are simultaneously transformative and inspirational. Kirsten propels us into our imaginations in the most vivid and compelling way, as she brings us along on her sojourn to the sea. Amidst sprays of foam and rays of light, we swirl into the ocean upon her majestic melodies, indelibly changed, as she was by her Mother’s love and support.

Steeped in rigorous classical training, Copely’s performance career began at an early age: by fourteen, she performed a full solo tour of the British Isles, and continued to gain attention in the classical world by winning Bronze Medal in the 1st USA International Harp Competition, debuting as concerto soloist at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center soon after. While she maintains a heavy classical schedule—she serves as Principal Harpist with the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra at Lincoln Center and regularly performs with the Nashville Symphony—Copely has also garnered a reputation as the pop industry’s go-to harpist, culminating with a performance alongside Beyoncé at the Second Official White House State Dinner for President Barack Obama. Other live engagements include appearances on Saturday Night Live and the MET Gala; in studio, she has recorded with greats like Lionel Richie and has performed in numerous video game, television, and movie soundtracks.

She's played harp and keyboards in numerous NY Broadway productions, including: Camelot, Paradise Square, Beauty and the Beast, The King and I, On A Clear Day, Follies, Cinderella, Carousel, Flying Over Sunset, and has held chairs on Paradise Square, The Pirate Queen (Principal Harp) and Wonderland (keyboard 3).

Copely served as the Associate Professor of Harp at Vanderbilt University Blair School of Music from 2017-2021. Her own discography includes two solo performance albums: The Covers Album (2019) and Dream World (2001) A Voting Member of The Recording Academy (NARAS), member of ASCAP and the World Harp Congress Board of Directors, she holds degrees from Indiana University (B.M. & M.M.).