From July 3 to 13, 2019, the 11th edition of the "USA International Harp Competition" (USAIHC) was organized. And for the first time in the history of the competition, a Belgian candidate finished in the top 3. That honor was reserved for Mathilde Wauters.

Our compatriot won the Bronze medal and the Final Prize, which is the award for the best interpretation of Joaquin Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez. It is only the second time in the history of this competition that a Belgian has won a prize, and the first time a Belgian has made it into the top three. The jury included numerous internationally known harpists, including our own Anneleen Lenaerts.

The triennial "USA International Harp Competition" in Bloomington, Indiana, is known as one of the most important harp competitions in the world, similar to the Elisabeth Competition at home. A very large repertoire is imposed, in four rounds of shifts, and the competition itself demands the utmost of the candidates both physically and mentally as all works must be played from memory. The 40 candidates are selected in advance, this year from 18 different countries.

Everything about the contest can be found on the website: usaihc.org.