Alison Bjorkedal is a renowned classical music artist who has made a name for herself as a harpist, composer, and educator. Born in 1980 in Los Angeles, California, Bjorkedal grew up in a family of musicians and was exposed to music from a young age. Her mother was a pianist and her father was a composer, and they encouraged her to pursue music as a career. Bjorkedal began playing the harp at the age of nine and quickly fell in love with the instrument. She studied with several renowned harpists, including JoAnn Turovsky and Maria Casale, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Southern California and a Master of Music degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. Throughout her career, Bjorkedal has performed with numerous orchestras and ensembles, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Pacific Symphony, and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. She has also collaborated with many contemporary composers and has premiered several new works for the harp. One of Bjorkedal's most notable performances was her solo recital at the 2010 World Harp Congress in Amsterdam. She performed a program of contemporary works for the harp, including pieces by Kaija Saariaho, Toshio Hosokawa, and Toru Takemitsu. Her performance was widely praised for its technical virtuosity and musical sensitivity. Bjorkedal has also received numerous awards and honors throughout her career. In 2006, she was a finalist in the American Harp Society's National Competition, and in 2008, she won first prize in the Pasadena Showcase House Instrumental Competition. She has also been a recipient of the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship, which allowed her to study and perform in Paris, France. In addition to her performing career, Bjorkedal is also an accomplished composer and arranger. She has written several works for the harp, including a concerto for harp and orchestra that was premiered by the Pacific Symphony in 2014. She has also arranged numerous pieces for the harp, including works by J.S. Bach, Claude Debussy, and Maurice Ravel. Bjorkedal is also a dedicated educator and has taught at several universities and music schools throughout the United States. She is currently on the faculty of the Colburn School in Los Angeles, where she teaches harp and chamber music. Overall, Alison Bjorkedal is a highly respected and accomplished classical music artist who has made significant contributions to the world of harp music. Her technical skill, musical sensitivity, and dedication to her craft have earned her a place among the top harpists of her generation.

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