Rita Costanzi, Harp, is the former Principal Harp of the Vancouver Symphony and CBC Radio Orchestra, now devotes her life to solo and chamber music performances and teaching.  As a concerto soloist with orchestras across Canada, as well as invitations from many international festivals in North America, Germany, England, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela and Bulgaria, she is recognized as an Artist of rare depth and expression, and has been featured on television and radio programs in Canada, the United States, Argentina and Brazil.  Costanzi’s distinguished  teaching career includes Master Classes at major conservatories in conjunction with her solo appearances in North and South America as well as at New York University, where she subsequently taught for three years.  Since relocating to New York City in 2007, she has collaborated with Director Arthur Masella on an award winning one-woman show which was featured at The United Solo Theater Festival in New York City, The Ottawa International Festival, at The World Harp Congress in Sydney, and for a week’s run in Melbourne.  She performed the world premier of her new theater piece, Woman On A Ledge, by Hershey Felder, at The Sunflower Festival in 2021 and recently, the sold-out NY City Premiere under the auspices of The United Solo Theater Festival.

Ms. Costanzi’s training began at an early age under the guidance of her father, the noted violist, Francis Tursi, and harpist, Eileen Malone.  After graduating from the Eastman School of Music with Highest Distinction and the Performer’s Certificate, she furthered her studies with Bernard Zighera, Marcel Grandjany, and in France on an ITT International Fellowship with Jacqueline Borot.  She was twice winner of the American Harp Society’s National Competition and recipient of the Lily Laskine Award for the most outstanding solo harp recital.