Based in New York City, Kristi Shade began playing the harp at the age of two and has since become one of the preeminent emerging harpists in the industry. A diverse performer, Kristi performs in a variety of musical settings including classical, jazz, pop, Broadway and contemporary music. Kristi holds degrees from the University of Miami and the Manhattan School of Music.

Kristi is the Principal Harpist with the Chamber Orchestra of New York, with which she has recorded several albums on the Naxos record label. She is a member of the flute-viola-harp trio, Hat Trick, and the harp duo, Duo Scorpio. Duo Scorpio released their debut album, Scorpion Tales, in the fall of 2012 on the American Modern Recordings label and were featured performers at the 50th Anniversary American Harp Society Conference in New York City. Their album, Scorpion Tales, was included on the 2012 GRAMMY nomination ballot in three separate categories. Duo Scorpio were featured performers at the World Harp Congress in Sydney, Australia in July 2014, where they premiered their commissions by composers Nico Muhly and Andy Akiho. Duo Scorpio also performed at the World Harp Congress in Hong Kong in July 2017, where they premiered their commission by composer Paul Patterson. Duo Scorpio’s second album, Two Bridges, was released in the spring of 2017 and consists entirely of pieces commissioned by the duo.

Kristi has been a guest artist with the Baltimore Symphony, the Florida Philharmonic and the Albany Symphony Orchestra. Her solo engagements have included concerto performances with the Miami Symphony, the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas, Ensemble 212, and the Astoria Symphony. Kristi was the Principal Harpist for the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas, with which she toured Mexico and North America and recorded an album for Sony Classical.

Kristi has performed on Broadway for several shows, including Carousel, Hello Dolly, Dr. Zhivago, Cinderella, Wicked, A Little Night Music, Gypsy and The Apple Tree. She can also be heard on the Official Broadway recording of Anastasia.

Kristi currently resides in Manhattan where she maintains a vigorous performance and teaching schedule. She has been on faculty at the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Division since 2007.

kristishade.com