World-Renowned Harp Educator Susann McDonald Dies at 90
Susann McDonald, a pioneering harpist, educator, and founder of the USA International Harp Competition, passed away, leaving behind a transformative legacy in classical music and harp performance worldwide.
Susann McDonald, a distinguished professor emeritus of harp at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, died on May 29, 2025, at the age of 90. Her remarkable career significantly shaped the international harp community through groundbreaking pedagogical work, performance, and institutional leadership.
McDonald's musical journey began early, with her becoming the first American to receive the Premier Prix de Harpe from the Paris Conservatory at age 20. Throughout her 35-year tenure at Indiana University, she established herself as a world-renowned harp educator who trained generations of musicians and promoted global musical connections.
As founder of the USA International Harp Competition in 1989, McDonald created one of the most prestigious solo harp performance competitions globally. The competition has since launched numerous careers, with over 400 harpists from 31 countries participating since its inception.
Her contributions extended beyond performance and education. McDonald served as artistic director of the World Harp Congress from 1983 to 2011 and received the World Harp Congress Award of Recognition for Service to the International Harp Community in 2008. She also co-founded Music Works-Harp Editions, developing instructional materials now standard worldwide.
Beyond her professional achievements, McDonald was known for her Christian faith, love of gardening, and personal resilience, particularly after overcoming a devastating house fire that destroyed much of her musical archives.
McDonald is survived by two nieces and a nephew, leaving behind a profound legacy that has fundamentally transformed harp performance and education on an international scale.