Biography
Ben Albertson is an accomplished harpist with over eighteen years of performance experience across the United States, Canada, and Europe. Currently in his third season as the principal harpist of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Ben’s artistry continues to be recognized with major accolades. In 2025, Ben Albertson was appointed as the adjunct professor of harp at the University of Arizona, where he leads its harp department. He was awarded the 2023 Grand Prize at the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs' Emerging Soloists Competition, and he was one of just five Americans selected to compete in the 2022 USA International Harp Competition, the world’s largest and most prestigious harp competition.
Ben’s recent achievements further include winning the Corcoran Concerto Competition and becoming the youngest finalist in the American Harp Society's National Competition in the Young Professional Division. His solo performances have garnered attention, including his debut on WQXR, New York’s classical radio station, and his first performance with the Eleva Chamber Players in Vermont.
As a chamber musician and soloist, Ben has recently engaged with the Arizona Friends of Chamber Music and the Mendocino Music Festival, and he regularly performs on the Tucson Symphony’s Up Close chamber music series. Ben has also recorded with renowned violinist Mayumi Seiler, a faculty member at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and earned third prize in the Royal Conservatory’s Chamber Music Competition.
As an educator, Ben leads the harp department at the University of Arizona, where he leads Harp Fusion, the legendary harp ensemble of the University of Arizona. In addition to Harp Fusion, Ben also leads a harp studio class and provides private lessons to the harp students at the university. Ben also maintains a private teaching studio in Tucson and online as well.
In February 2025, Ben received notification of his tenure with the Tucson Symphony, solidifying his role as the principal harpist for the 2024/25 season. In addition to his work in Tucson, Ben regularly performs with the Phoenix Symphony and has played with the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra.
As a soloist, in March 2025, Ben made his solo debut with the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs in Colorado, and he has previously performed as a soloist with notable ensembles, including the Royal Conservatory Orchestra in Canada and the Olympia Symphony in Washington State.
​Additionally, Ben arranged and published Stravinsky's 1919 Firebird Suite for solo harp, demonstrating his mastery in arranging and transcription. This work showcases not only his technical skill but also his ability to adapt large orchestral works to the harp.
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Ben’s formal education was pursued at the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, where he was awarded the full tuition Marylin and Charles E. Baillie Family Scholarship for both undergraduate and graduate studies. Ben has also attended several renowned summer music festivals, including the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado, on full scholarship. Ben has studied under the tutelage of some of the world’s foremost harpists, including the legendary Judy Loman.
Ben is deeply honored to perform on a historic Salzedo model harp, once owned, designed, and played by the renowned harpist Carlos Salzedo himself. Ben also plays a modern instrument, a Lyon and Healy Style 85, produced in 2025.