Emily Stone, Harpist

Harpist Emily Stone distinguishes herself as a creative and passionate artist.  She has cultivated a multifaceted career as an orchestral musician, soloist, chamber collaborator, and pedagogue based in Cincinnati, OH.  

Driven by her love of orchestral music and collaboration, Stone performs frequently with numerous ensembles across the United States. She is the Acting Principal Harp of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra for the 2026-2027 season. She has served as Guest Principal Harp with United States Air Force Band of Mid-America, Sarasota Orchestra, New World Symphony, Civic Orchestra of Chicago and appears regularly with the Omaha Symphony and Lyric Opera of Chicago. She served as the Harp Fellow for the National Orchestral Institute + Festival (2023).  With experience across a multitude of genres, she has shared the stage with a variety of artists including Josh Groban and Il Volo.

 An avid chamber collaborator, she is a founding member of Duo D’Or (Flute and Harp) and Sospirare Trio (Flute, Viola, and Harp).  Guided by her passion for and advocacy of new music, she a member of the New Downbeat collective in Cincinnati, OH. She served as the principal harpist and a featured artist with the New Earth Ensemble in Chicago, IL (2022-2024) and the OSSIA New Music Ensemble in Rochester, NY (2019-2021).

 An award-winning artist, Stone was named the Winner of the CCM Harp Concerto Competition (2025), First Prize Winner of Sigma Alpha Iota’s Dorothy E. Morris Memorial Award (2025 and 2022), and a Grand Finalist in the American Harp Foundation’s Grandjany Memorial Competition (2026) and Anne Adams Awards (2022 and 2020).  Stone earned her B.M. degrees and Performer’s Certificate at the Eastman School of Music.  She continued her graduate studies at Northwestern University where she earned her M.M. degree and then at OAcademy Music Conservatory (Orchestra of the Americas) where she earned her A.D. with Distinction and the OAcademy Exceptional Achievement Award. Currently, she is pursuing her D.M.A. degree at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.  She is an active member of the American Harp Society and Sigma Alpha Iota. Stone serves as the Vice President of the Cincinnati Chapter of the American Harp Society and from 2022-2024, she served as the President of the Greater Chicago Chapter of the American Harp Society.  Outside of music, Stone loves traveling, baking and spending time with family and friends.