Defne Anar
Harp: L&H Type 100 #LH21469 + covers and trolley
I started studying harp, solfeg/harmony at Istanbul University State Conservatoire at the age of 7.
I won the 3rd prize in the 'Glowing Harp Competition' in Ukraine when I was 13.
I was awarded a very high scholarship to study at Wells Cathedral School when I was 14, which made it possible for me to continue my studies in the UK.
After a successful audition, I was offered a place in the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain when I was 15.(2022)
After doing NYO for a year I auditioned to be in the orchestra in 2023 when I was 16 and I was offered a place again; this time as the principal harp. I am currently principal harp having reauditioned for 2024.
I was privileged to have the opportunities to perform in many prestigious venues such as Royal Festival Hall, Barbican, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Bridgewater Hall, and Royal Albert Hall as a part of BBC Proms'22, 23 and 24 thanks to NYOGB.
After coming first in the 'Harp Solo Repartoire-Advanced' category in the Mid-Somerset Festival'22 I competed in the finals and won. I was awarded the Thelma King Instrumental Award and £600, which I spent on harp lessons with Catrin Finch.
I organised three benefit concerts in Somerset after the 2023 Turkish Earthquake and raised over £1700 to donate to the British Red Cross.
In September 2023, I auditioned to Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Royal Academy of Music, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and Trinity Laban Conservatoire. I was offered a place & scholarship from all of them and I chose to accept RAM's offer; which was full scholarship for four years.
In 20th of January 2024, I won the first prize in the 'Advanced-Senior Musician' category of Manchester Harp Competition.
I am selected to progress to the next stage of the BBC Young Musician 2024 competition. I will be going to Cardiff this April to do the live auditions. There were 336 applications this year, and only 50 places available at the Live Auditions.