Biography
Early Life & Education
Tokyo-born classical harpist Nagisa Tanaka is a prize-winning soloist and orchestral musician who seeks to bridge Japanese sensibility with the traditions of Europe.
She first encountered music at the age of 4, when she began playing the piano. However, it was the profound sound of the classical harp that truly captured her heart after she heard a recording by Judy Loman.
She studied at Kunitachi College of Music and graduated at the top of her class in 2020. Later, she earned her Master’s degree in Classical Harp Performance with highest honors at the Conservatorium Maastricht. In 2026, she completed her advanced studies at the Music and Arts University (MUK) of the City of Vienna, graduating with a perfect score.
Awards & Artistic Development
Nagisa’s artistry is the result of years of dedicated study under some of the most respected harpists. Her potential was refined in Japan under the guidance of Risako Hayakawa (Principal Harpist of the NHK Symphony Orchestra), Mitsuyo Nishimura, and Izumi Sato. She later moved to Europe to continue her development and her orchestral and solo repertoire under Anneleen Lenaerts, the renowned Principal Harpist of the Vienna Philharmonic.
As a classical harpist, she has earned over 20 international awards, reflecting the versatility of her talent across the Asian and European classical music scenes. She claimed first prize at the 20th Osaka International Music Competition and second prize at the Japan International Harp Competition in 2019. In 2022, she made history as the first Japanese harpist to win the 11th International Harp Competition Suoni d’Arpa in Italy.
This triumph led to the release of her debut solo harp album, Opera and Dance in Harp Music (2023). Further prizes followed, including third prize at the International Harp Competition Felix Godefroid in Belgium in 2022 and second prize at the 14th Concours Français de la Harpe in France in 2025.
Performance Career
Since her solo harp recital debut at Tokyo’s Kioi Hall in 2022, Nagisa has performed globally as a soloist and chamber musician with some of the world’s most renowned ensembles. These include the NHK Symphony Orchestra, the Japan National Orchestra, and the Kioi Hall Chamber Orchestra, as well as the Wiener Staatsoper and the Ensemble of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden. In 2024, she was invited by the principal harpist to join the Vienna Philharmonic’s Summer Orchestra Academy.
Her international reach grew further with solo recitals in Italy and Spain and a masterclass at Harpissima.
Rooted in the classical traditions of both Asia and Europe, Nagisa remains dedicated to sharing the enchanting resonance of the harp that first captured her heart as a child with her rare sensitivity and gracefulness.
For concert bookings, artistic collaborations, (regional and international) or further information, I am looking forward to your inquiry.