Celebrating the successes of our inspiring harp alumni
Wed 3 July 2024Congratulations to Trinity Laban alumni harpists Juan Antonio García Díaz and Noelia Cotuna on their recent orchestral successes.
Juan Antonio García Díaz, who graduated from Trinity Laban with a MMus and Artist Diploma, has recently been appointed as Principal Harpist of the celebrated Essener Philharmoniker, the main symphony and opera orchestra of the city of Essen. Founded in 1899, the orchestra enjoys an excellent international reputation with regular guest appearances at the Concertgebouw Amsterdam and the International Dvořák Festival under the baton of Principal Conductor Andrea Sanguineti. In addition to regular opera services at the Aalto Theater, the Essener Philharmoniker performs in more than 30 concerts per season: symphony concerts at the Philharmonie Essen as well as children’s and youth concerts and their own chamber concert series. The orchestra can also be seen and heard on tour: in the Semper Opera House at the Dresden Music Festival, at the Penderecki Festival in Zabrze and Krakow, at the Richard Strauss Festival in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and in the Frauenkirche in Dresden.
Reflecting on the appointment, Juan said: “The day I received the news of successfully passing my trial in the orchestra, I felt a very surreal feeling of relief and joy. I have dreamt of becoming a member of a professional orchestra since as long as I can remember. Now that I have accomplished it, I can only say thank you to all the people who helped me get to where I have arrived, especially to dearest Gabriella Dall’Olio and Frances Kelly, who helped me become the musician and harpist that I am today during my three years at Trinity Laban.”
Noelia Cotuna, who graduated from Trinity Laban with a first class BMus (Hons), has won the audition for post of Principal Harp at the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana – Palau de les Arts Valencia. While studying at Trinity Laban, Noelia won several solo competitions and the prestigious soloist Competition with Renié Concerto, and immediately after became a member of the Karajan Academy of the Berliner Philharmoniker (2019-2022). Noelia finished an MMus in Solo Performance at the Universität der Künste in Berlin in 2023 and she is currently at the Academy of the Deutsche Oper Berlin.
Noelia stated: “I am still in disbelief at the news, but I am so excited to join the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana and to start my trial period in the coming months! I really look forward to playing alongside their many fantastic musicians and working with such a versatile ensemble that performs a wide range of opera, symphonic, zarzuela and ballet repertoire each season in the beautiful house of Palau de les Arts in Valencia. I am incredibly grateful to all my family, friends and teachers for their unwavering support, and in a special way to my wonderful Professor Gabriella Dall’Olio, Frances Kelly, Head of Strings Nic Pendlebury for all their help and guidance, and to all the generous donors that made my studies at Trinity Laban possible.”