Electronic Press Kit
Harpist / Arranger / Writer
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Videos
Short Biography
Singaporean harpist Lishan Tan is known for her dynamic artistry and elegance across orchestral stages, solo engagements, and contemporary collaborations. Newly appointed Principal Harp of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, she also performs regularly with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Pops.
Highlights of her career include appearing as a soloist alongside Yo-Yo Ma with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at the 2024 Tanglewood Music Festival. She was awarded First Prize at the VI Mexico International Harp Competition, which led to her debut with the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional at Mexico City’s Palacio de Bellas Artes. She has also appeared with The Metropolitan Opera, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Borromeo String Quartet, and The Beach Boys.
Beyond the stage, Lishan is an educator, arranger, and writer whose work continues to expand the harp’s possibilities. She writes for HarpColumn, leads Writing for Harp workshops for composers, and creates digital content that has garnered millions of views worldwide.
Lishan became the first harpist admitted to the doctoral program at New England Conservatory, where she earned her Doctor of Musical Arts with a minor in Music Theory under Jessica Zhou. She also holds a Master of Music from Boston Conservatory at Berklee and a Bachelor of Music (First-Class Honours) from the Royal College of Music–Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts joint program. When away from the harp, Lishan can be found sipping coffee, reading, or boxing.
Quotes and Press
“Harpist Li Shan Tan stepped up to the challenge, meeting Yun’s extensive color palette with a personal and intimate playing style that lured the audience in wanting more and more.”
─ Ian Weise
The Boston Musical Intelligencer (July 29, 2024)
I so enjoyed the Sunday performance of Ravel. You played beautifully and it seemed you had the complete cooperation of our players -- it was a very special performance.
— Bruce Hangen
Conductor of Vista Philharmonic Orchestra and Professor of Orchestral Studies at The Boston Conservatory
"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)
"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)
The sold-out opening night performance…were brilliant…The moving opening composition, Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro, featured harpist Li Shan Tan’s stunning solo performance.
─ Glenn Rifkin
The Arts Fuse (October 23, 2022)
"Li Shan is a superb musician with stylistic grace and elegance"
─ Peter Mansfield
Conductor of Cape Symphony (Cape Cod, MA)
"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)
Testimonials