Biography

Praised as "outstanding" by the Classical Voice of North Carolina, harpist Kristen Bruce Young is passionate about reaching audiences worldwide and blessing others through the gift of music.

In New York City, Kristen made her orchestral debut at Alice Tully Hall of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and was honored to join the Mannes Orchestra accompanying the Martha Graham Dance Company at City Center Stage.

As a soloist and collaborator, Kristen has been featured in performances by the World Ballet Series, UNCSA Nutcracker Ballet Orchestra, The Chelsea Symphony, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Winston-Salem Symphony, Charlotte Symphony, Brevard Philharmonic, Salisbury Symphony, Riverside Orchestra, Brooklyn Metro Chamber Orchestra, UNCG Opera Theatre, High Point University, Elon University, and world tours with the American Youth Harp Ensemble in Austria and for the 12th World Harp Congress in Sydney, Australia. An active collaborator for contemporary music, Kristen performed the world premier of Hrið-Móðr-Ljómi by Jeffrey Holmes with the nu Ensemble and has been an active member of the Mannes American Composers Ensemble and the New School Studio Orchestra in New York City under the direction of acclaimed jazz musicians Steven Bernstein, Christine Jensen, and Ingrid Jensen. Kristen is also passionate about using the harp to worship the Lord and enjoys collaborating with musicians at her local church and other churches.

Kristen earned her Master of Music degree in Harp Performance at Mannes School of Music in New York City, studying with Barbara Allen, Principal Harpist with the American Ballet Theatre. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Harp Performance from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where she also received training in piano pedagogy, German, and dance, while studying harp with Jacquelyn Bartlett.

Based in North Carolina, Kristen enjoys road trips with her harp, teaching all ages and levels, sewing, and discovering new coffee shops. Psalm 33:2