Electronic Press Kit
Harpist / Arranger / Writer
Videos
Biography (Short)
Singaporean harpist Lishan Tan enjoys a multifaceted career as a performer, arranger, writer and teacher. As the winner of the VI Mexico International Harp Competition, she recently made her debut with the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional at Mexico City’s historical Palacio de Bellas Artes. Upon the invitation of Maestro Bruce Hangen, Lishan performed two sold-out shows as a soloist with Vista Philharmonic Orchestra in their opening concert of the 2022 season. She has also appeared as a soloist with Boston Conservatory's Conductor's Orchestra, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts’ Chamber Recital Series, and shared the stage with notable groups such as The Beach Boys, the Silk Road Ensemble and the Borromeo String Quartet. As a founding member and resident arranger of Singapore’s premier harp quartet The Harp Quarterly, Lishan aims to push the boundaries of her instrument through her arrangements and workshops. Her arrangements range from Metallica to Debussy and her music has garnered millions of views online. She also conducts Writing for the Harp workshops for composers and further collaborates with them to premiere and record new harp works. Currently, Lishan is also a freelance writer for international harp magazine HarpColumn. She holds a BMus from Royal College of Music, MM from Boston Conservatory at Berklee and is pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts at the New England Conservatory with BSO Principal Harpist Jessica Zhou, where she is the first harpist to be admitted to the doctoral program. When not thinking about music, Lishan can be found sipping coffee, reading or boxing.
Quotes and Press
"the gentlest of whispers and a hint of rhythm provided by Tan Li Shan's harp (showed) finesse of control"
─ CHANG TOU LIANG, THE STRAITS TIMES (SINGAPORE)
"An amazing harpist, Lishan's interpretation of each movement was perfect and the fast movements were so exciting!"
─ PAUL PATTERSON, COMPOSER AND MANSON PROFESSOR OF COMPOSITION AT ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC (LONDON)
"The slow movement came...with Tan Li Shan's harp and Joost Flach's cor anglais, conjuring a balm for the ears"
─ CHANG TOU LIANG, THE STRAITS TIMES (SINGAPORE)
"Beautiful solid technique (with) great focus and poise. Very musical and touching performance"
─ DR. JUNE HAN, PROFESSOR OF HARP AT YALE SCHOOL OF MUSIC (NEW HAVEN) AND THE JUILLIARD PRE-COLLEGE (NEW YORK)
"Li Shan is a superb musician with stylistic grace and elegance"
─ PETER MANSFIELD, CONDUCTOR OF CAPE SYMPHONY (CAPE COD, MA)
"Exceptional talent and mastery of her craft. Such an amazing musician, a rising star!"
─ FEDERICO CHÁVEZ-BLANCO, AWARD-WINNING COMPOSER FOR FILM, TV AND CONCERT STAGE (MEXICO)
"Excellent energy and brilliance!"
─ DR. ANN YEUNG, PROFESSOR OF HARP AND CHAIR OF STRINGS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN (CHICAGO)
"Wonderful musicianship, extremely precise and always on point"
─ JIN KIM, CONDUCTOR OF ATLANTIC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (BRAINTREE, MA)
"What a fantastic performance! Lots of colors both in tone and dynamics. Very sensitive"
─ MIEKO INOUE, PRINCIPAL HARPIST OF YOMIURI NIPPON SYMPHONY AND HARP PROFESSOR AT TOHO SCHOOL OF MUSIC (JAPAN)