Legendary Harpist and Educator Susann McDonald Dies at 90

Susann McDonald, a pioneering harpist who transformed music education and international harp performance, died on May 29, 2025, at age 90. Her remarkable career spanned decades of extraordinary achievements in performance, teaching, and global musical collaboration.

McDonald's musical journey began as a teenage prodigy in Paris, where she became the first American to receive the Premier Prix de Harpe from the Paris Conservatory in 1955. Her professional career included performances for massive audiences and concert management by Columbia Artists, establishing her as a world-class performer.

As a distinguished professor at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music from 1981, McDonald mentored generations of harpists and founded the USA International Harp Competition in 1989. The competition has since become one of the most prestigious solo harp performance events globally, supporting young musicians from 31 countries.

Beyond performance, McDonald was a significant contributor to musical scholarship. She co-founded Music Works-Harp Editions, creating instructional materials now standard worldwide. Her service to the international music community was recognized through her leadership of the World Harp Congress and receiving the World Harp Congress Award of Recognition in 2008.

McDonald's legacy extends beyond music. After experiencing a devastating house fire, she wrote a daily devotional book reflecting her Christian faith and personal resilience. Her life exemplified dedication to artistic excellence, education, and inspiring future generations of musicians.