Park Stickney
While attempting to live simultaneously on a farm in Switzerland, and in Brooklyn, New York, harpist Park Stickney is constantly in motion, giving concerts everywhere from Adelaide to Zaragoza.
Stickney has dueled (improvisationally) with pianist Jean-François Zygel, recorded with the “Crash Test Dummies” and Jonathan Coulton, performed at the White House, jammed with young oud students in the West Bank, given a sold-out solo show in Sennheiser Hall, Shanghai, played concerts in a mine in South-Tyrol, in a thermal bath in Switzerland, toured with the Fantasticks in Japan, performed in Sri Lanka, in Helsinki, Havana and Hong Kong, in Moscow, Madras, Moldavia…
Park teaches at the Royal Academy of Music, London and the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Lyon, France. He graduated from the Juilliard School and in 2021 completed a PhD exploring extreme harp pedaling at the Trinity Laban Conservatory, London.
Park is also an enthusiastic and spectacularly absent Swiss volunteer fireman.
Full CV
Park Stickney
Musician – Electro-acoustic pedal harp
EDUCATION
Trinity Laban Conservatory (London) 2021 PhD music “Practice as research”
The Juilliard School (New York) 1992 Graduate Diploma
The Juilliard School (New York)1991Masters of Music
University of Arizona (USA)1988Bachelor of Music Cum Laude
PRIX/BOURSES/DISTINCTIONS
2019 Pro Helvetia Shanghai, financial support for the “2019 China Tour”
2013 Honorary Associate Royal Academy of Music, London
1990 1st prize, Ruth L. Close Competition – National USA Competition
1989 Scholarship – L. Vichey Memorial – The Juilliard School
1985 1st prize International Jazz Harp Competition (Santa Barbara USA)
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY
- Concerts and tours (selection)
Excuse me while I kiss the sky, Bruno Amstad memorial tribute 2025 – group concert (collaboration), Luzern, Switzerland
Jazz Heroes 2024 – duo concert with Milena Hoge, Hamburg, Germany
Plans Fixes 2024 – solo concert, cinémathèque suisse, Lausanne, Switzerland
Conservatory of Music Benedetto Marcello & Conservatorio Pollina 2024– concerts, Venise & Padova, Italy
Swiss Jazz Orchestra 2024 – concert, Bern, Switzerland
China Tour 2024 – solo concerts, Beijing, Guangzhou, China
Skandia Hall 2024 – solo concert sponsored by the American Harp Society L.A., Pasadena CA, USA
Guildhall College of Music and Drama Harp Festival 2024 – solo concert & masterclass, London, UK
Legends of the Old Castle 2024 – Concerto performance with the Banda Nacional de Conciertos, Havana, Cuba
Harps on the Hill Centre 2024 – solo concert & masterclass, Toronto, Canada
USA Tour 2024 – NY, OH, IL, IN, TX, MN 10 solo concerts
Ester Wiesnerova tour Blue Journal 2023 – SLOVAKIA, HUNGARY
USA International Harp Competition 2022 – solo concert, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
Modus 2019 – present – Quartet with Houry Dora Apartian (vocals), Lorenz Beyeler (double bass) and Omri Hason (percussion) – concerts in Switzerland and in Germany
Beethoven/Stickney – Solo ‘live’ concerts in the fields for the autumn equinox – Improvisations on the Symphonies by Beethoven, 21st of September 2020.
La Folle Journée de Nantes – Solo concerts, improvisations on the Symphonies by Beethoven. January 2020
Gustaf, Frederick & Isabelle Trio 2015 – present – with Björn Meyer (bass) and Araxi Karnusian (saxophone) – concerts in Switzerland, France, UK
Du Bon Usage des Crises 2017 – present – with Christian Vez and Anouk Juriens (musicians for the play)
CaravaNoël 2019 – 10 concerts in 10 north Vuadois villages in 2 days
China/Hong Kong tour 2019 – with Guo Gan (erhu) and Gigi Biolcati (percussions), 5 concerts and workshops
La nuit de l’improvisation 2019 & 2013 – Théâtre du Chatelet, Paris, with Jean-François Zygel
Solo Tour Germany 2018 – 3 concerts
Brassens dans tous les sens 2017-2018 – concerts with Violaine Contreras de Haro and Christian Vez
Dada String Quartet 2015- 2018 – Harp/flute/percussions Trio – concerts & happenings (Switzerland, Germany, UK, Poland, New York)
Carte Blanche au Théâtre Benno Besson Yverdon 2017 – musical show with 3 invited musicians (China, Italy, Switzerland), 1 circus artist (France) and 2 visual artists (Italy & Switzerland)
Legends of the Old Castle (Concerto for harp with wind orchestra) Havana 2017 – Première in Europe with the Philharmonie in Baden Baden
Mozart & More 2003-2017, flute and harp duo, with Regula Küffer, concerts in Switzerland and in Spain
Tour in China & Korea 2016 – 5 concerts, 1 in the Sennheiser Hall, Shanghai (1200 tickets sold)
The Lion, the Wolf, and the Donkey 2011-2016 – trio (harp/bass/percussions) – Concerts in Italy, UK, Switzerland, Moldavia.
Surprise Corner Tour 2015 –10 solo concerts – Germany
Festival Assemblage’S Geneva 2014, concert with Stéphane Chapuis (accordion)
China Tour 2014 – solo harp –Hong Kong, Shanghai
Philharmonie Berlin 2011-present – harp section reinforcement (classical concerts)
Philharmonie Berlin 2012 – solo concert “lunchtime series”
Rudolstadt Festival – Roots Folk Welt Musik 2011– concerts
Opperman/Stickney Duo 2004-2011 – harp duo, concerts in Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, Korea, USA, UK, Serbia
La Boîte à Musique 2010 – France 2, with Jean-François Zygel
Klangwelten Festival 2004, 2007, 2011 – series of 30 concerts with harp & portable organ, Germany
Contenti/Stickney Duo 2002-2009 – pedal harp and double bass, concerts in Italy, Spain, UK, Switzerland, Albania, Germany
Trinity Church Concert Series New York 2005, 2003, 2002, 1999, 1998 – solo jazz harp recital ; classical harp & flute duo ; harp, flute and cello trio
Harp Summit Tour 2005 – duo with Rüdiger Oppermann, tour in 12 cities, USA
Crash Test Dummies 2004 – vernissage concert (Duluth Minnesota)
Sixty-three Strings 2003 – with Dino Contenti and the Manomanouche guitar duo
Action Harp Tour 2000 – 10 solo jazz concerts, Germany
International Harp Festival 1999 – 25 concerts, Germany
Daphne Hellman 1995-98 – Asia tour (Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and India) & harp and piano duo concerts at the Village Gate (New York)
Fringe Festival Edimburg, Scotland 1998 and 1996 – jazz harp trio and classical harp and flute duo
New York Harp Ensemble 1997 – Asia tour (Taiwan and Hong Kong); concerts in the White House (Washington) 1993 & 1997
Festival de Haute Provence France 1997 – jazz harp trio concerts
Queen Elizabeth 2 Cunard Line 1995-1998 – duo and trio recital (harp, flute & cello), worldwide
Lincoln Center Institute 1994 – “Suites pour Harpe”, solo tour, educational programms (New York)
The Fantasticks 1992 – Japan tour for the off-Broadway musical (50 cities)
Disney All-American College Orchestra 1986 Florida – harpist
B. Festivals and Congresses
Stellae Matutinae : European Harp Symposium 2025 – concert, workshop and masterclass, Feldkirch, Austria
31e Festival International de Harpe en Avesnois 2025 – duo with Jean-François Zygel, Maubeuge, France
Havana International Jazz Festival 2025 – concert
Arpe in villa Padernello Festival 2024 – concert, Padernello, Brescia, Italy
Sommer Musik Fest 2024 – concert and workshop, Wolfstein, Germany
Helsinki Harp Festival 2023 – concert and workshop, Helsinki, Finland
“Elettro Class” Festival Harpes Salvi 2023 – concert and workshop, Cuneo, Italy
Harfentreffen 2022 – Harp festival, Kirchen-Freusburg, Germany
Winter Harp Festival (Ailie Robertson) 2022
Festival Mundial del Arpa en Paraguay 2019 – concert and workshops
Edinburgh Harp Festival, Scotland, 2021, 2018, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2006, 2004, 2000, 1992, concerts and course
Brazilian Jazz Harp Immersion 2018 – concert and masterclass
Festival d’arpa de Sentmenat, Spain 2017, concert with Violaine Contreras de Haro (flute)
Harfentreffen Mosenberg, 2015, 2013, 2011, 2009, 1998-2007, Germany, course and concerts
Süddeutsches Harfentreffen, Violau, Germany, 2016, 2007, 2004, 2002, 1999, course
Lyon & Healy Harps 150 Anniversary Festival 2014 masterclasses and concerts – Chicago, IL, USA
Journées de la Harpe, Arles, 2009, 2004 et 1998, concerts and course, France
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, 2008, chamber music concerts
American Harp Society National Conference
2016 Atlanta: solo concert
2014 New Orleans: solo concert and guests
2012 New York: solo concert and guests
2008 Dearborn (Michigan): opening recital
2004 Philadelphie: solo concert
Festival of Harps, Berkeley, Californie, 2004 & 1998, concert
Rencontres de Harpe Celtique, 2003, Dinan, France, course and concert
World Harp Congress
Cardiff 2022 – concert and workshop
Hong Kong 2017– duo concert with Guo Gan (erhu)
Vancouver 2011 – duo concert with Rüdiger Oppermann
Genève 2002 – première of the original version for harp ensemble “Ça Avance”, harp solo concerts (Victoria Hall) and duo ; open masterclass, course
Prague 1999 – solo concert
Tacoma (USA), 1996 – solo jazz harp concerts
II Encuentro de Arpas, Espagne 2001 & 2000 – course and concert
Festival de la Harpe en Avesnois, France 1999 – master class & recital ; and in 2006, concert
Festival d’Été/Académie Internationale de Harpe Pierre Jamet, Gargilesse, France 2020, 2017, 2009, 1999 and 1997 –concerts and jazz harp course
Baltimore Harpfest, 1997 – solo concert and workshops
Soka International Harp Festival, Tokyo, Japan, 1992 – solo concert
C. Musicals
The Cost of Believing – Musical/Ballet/Film/SongCycle by Paul Brill, NYC, 2024
The Fantasticks – Off-Broadway musical, cover, Harp & Piano, 2006-2017 et 1990-2002;
The Producers – Broadway musical, cover, 2001-2004
Wicked – Broadway musical, cover, 2003-2004
Beauty et the Beast – Broadway musical, cover, 1994-2004
42nd Street – Broadway musical, cover, 2003-2004
Thoroughly Modern Millie – Broadway musical, cover, 2002-2004
A Christmas Carol – Broadway musical, cover, 1998-2003
State Fair 1996 – Broadway musical, principal harpist for the original Broadway production
1776 – Broadway musical, cover, 1996
D. Pedagogical activities
a) Academical teaching (present)
Royal Academy of Music since 2003– visiting jazz harp professor (on request, 50 hours/year)
Conservatoire National Supérieur Musique et Danse de Lyon since 2008 – assistant professor (employee status, 200 hours/year)
Conservatoire de musique de Milan Giuseppe Verdi since 2017 – visiting harp teacher for improvisation (on request, 50 hours/year)
Haute école de Musique Lausanne since 2005 – yearly jazz harp courses (employée status, 16 hours/week)
b) Courses / workshops / summer courses (selection)
Scuola di Alto Perfezionamento Musicale 2025 – with Gabriella Dall’Olio, Saluzzo, Italy
Pacific Harps 2024 – Pasadena, CA, USA
Park Stickney Jazz Harp Camp 2018, 2013, 2011, 2010 – one week camp, Valeyres, Switzerland
Park Stickney Jazz Harp Camp 2020 – one week camp (online)
Harp Column Academy Summer Camp 2020 – virtual workshops
Scuola di Alto Perfezionamento Musicale (Saluzzo Italie) 2013 – present – courses (1 week/year)
Harpmasters Academy 2007- present – faculty (summer course)
Curtis Institute, Philadelphia 2015 – course
Berklee College of Music Boston 2012 – course
Salvi/Lyon & Healy Jazz & Pop Harpfest 2007, 2004, 1999, 1997& 1995 – member of the teaching staff
Rotterdam Conservatory 2006-2008 Netherlands – invited professor, jazz harp ; 2005, course
American Harp Society National Conference 2007 – summer course
Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris France 2006 – course
Conservatoire de Barcelone Spain 2003 – course
Munich Hochschule für Musik und Theater Germany 2003 – residence with Dino Contenti
Ecole de Jazz et Musique Actuelle Lausanne Switzerland 2002 – course
Conservatoire de Musique de Varsovie Poland 2002 – course
The Juilliard School, New York USA 2001 – course
Umbria Jazz Festival, Perugia Italy 1998 – jazz harp course for a harp summer programme Berklee School (Boston-USA)
E. Discography/Publications/Filmography
a) Solo recordings
All Harp Globe Live 2015 – Solo live CD (OLGP production)
Surprise Corner 2011 – Solo CD (OLGP production)
Still, Life with Jazz Harp 2005 – Solo jazz CD (OLGP production)
Action Harp Play Set 1999 – Solo jazz CD (OLGP production)
Overdressed Late Guy 1995 – Solo jazz CD (OLGP production)
b) Duo/trio/and other Recordings
That many Days, Plus One 2024 – Trio CD Gustaf, Frederick and Isabel (bass, harp and saxophone)
Chemins d’hiver 2019 – duo CD with Violaine Contreras de Haro (flute)
Who is…the Lion, the Wolf, and the Donkey? 2013 – Trio CD (Incipit Records)
63 Strings 2006 – Gypsy Jazz with Dino Contenti (bass) and Manomanouche (Guitars), CD (FolkClub)
Harp Summit 2004 – Harp duos (jazz & celtic) with Rüdiger Oppermann, CD
Think of One 2003 – Trio recording with Manhu Roche (drums) and Dino Contenti (bass)
Musical Memories 1991 – New York Harp Ensemble (Hungaraton Records)
c) Harp part, on contrat
Songs of the Unforgiven 2004 – Crash Test Dummies, CD rock album and concert DVD
The Art of Harp volume 3 2003 – Compilation of harp music CD set
Winnie the Pooh 2002 – song with Carly Simon (Disney)
Drift 2001 – Jeremy Schonfeld CD rock album
State Fair 1996 – soundtrack of the show, Broadway Show (DMG Records)
Unzipped 1995 – film (piano on the original soundtrack of the film)
The Fantasticks 1993 – Soundtrack of the show (DMG Records)
Crash Test Dummies 2004 – vernissage concert CD “Songs of the Unforgiven”
d) Compositions/published arrangements
Harpmospheres 2020 – Compositions by Nick Harvey & Park Stickney – Library music album, published by The Scoring House/West One Music, London
The Travel Journal of a Western Harpist in the Chinese Garden 2016 – Jazz arrangements of 5 traditional melodies for solo harp
Dirty Laundry Rag 2007 – Composition for solo harp
e) Filmography
Plans Fixes “Park Stickney, Harpiste” 2017 – Film (interviewer : Yann Zitouni)
The Dada String Quartet presents KLO oòM tu IGJ-AVV 2117 – musical short film
Songs of the Unforgiven (Crash Test Dummies) 2004 – DVD of the vernissage concert