Grace Kikuchi

Harpist | Performer | Teacher


Biography


Having begun harp at the young age of three, Grace holds more than 20 years of experience in playing the harp. Graduating from the Queensland Conservatorium with a Bachelor of Music majoring in Performance, Grace studied under renown harpists Sebastien and Sayo Lipman for over 15 years, and then with Jill Atkinson - former principal harpist of Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO). She has also participated in masterclasses from many distinguished international harpist such as Alice Giles, Marie Pierre-Langlamet, Emily Granger and Domenica Musumeci. 

She has extensive experience performing in many different styles ranging from solo, concertos, orchestral, operas, musicals, chamber and more. She plays casually with Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO), Brisbane Symphony Orchestra (BSO), Queensland Conservatorium Orchestras, Camerata and has also played with and for many different organisations and orchestras including: Queensland Youth Orchestras (QYO), QLD Pops Orchestra, Australian International Symphony Orchestra Institute (AISOI), Australian Festival Chamber Music (AFCM), Queensland Wind Orchestra, Ipswich Civic Orchestra, Queensland Korean Orchestra (QKO), Riverlife Baptist Church, The Hope Collective, Griffith University & the Mater Children's Hospital to name a few. 

Both during her studies and post-graduation, Grace has had the privilege to be exposed to a variety of repertoire playing as the principal harpist for Queensland Conservatorium's Symphony, Opera & Wind Orchestras. Some highlights include Britten's Albert Herring, Verdi's Aida, Wagner's Ring Cycle without Words and many symphonies from Debussy to Berlioz. 

She has had the privilege to play not only as a performer and soloist, but also as a chamber performer in collaboration with flute, viola, cello, piano, french horn, and singers - not necessarily all together. She performs regularly with her chamber ensemble Chromatica Collective, where they explore diverse musical genres ranging from movie music from Japanese Animation Company Studio Ghibli, to Disney/Pixar/Dreamworks film music, gaming music, classical repertoire and more!

She has played for many different functions, events & wedding/funerals as a soloist and in groups - both as background and as a feature/item. She has a range of repertoire to suit to all events and also considers requests. 

Having started music at such a young age, Grace believes that you can never be too early or late to learn music. Whilst she specialises in harp, she also teaches piano and cello privately. She is passionate in further exposing, normalising and exploring the boundaries of the harp. On-top of this she has also participated in recording worship albums, short films, tv broadcasts and more.

In her spare time, Grace volunteers as a member of Riverlife Baptist Church’s worship and production team and is the president of the Harp Society of Queensland. Grace also enjoys attempting to improvise and arrange, reading and spending time with family & friends and is definitely a big fan of all things brunch.

Grace will be furthering her studies by studying a Masters in Harp Performance at Carnegie Mellon University, Pensylvannia from 2024-2026.

Classically trained, but a versatile performer, harpist and artist with repertoire and experience in solo, chamber, orchestral, photography, short films, live broadcasts & recordings.