The Mexico International Harp Competition and Festival, founded in 2006 by Mexican harpist Baltazar Juárez, has become a global benchmark and established itself as the most important pedal harp event in Latin America, hosting more than 30 countries, including contestants, jury members, guest artists, and the public.
Since its inception, the COMPETITION has motivated and encouraged new generations of classical harpists who, in competition, have developed a highly qualified artistic formation within the demanding international standards.
Held every three years in Mexico City, child and young harpists of all nationalities are invited to participate in four categories divided by age and level to perform a repertoire of highly technical and interpretative demands in front of a jury composed of prominent figures from the international harp world.
Within the framework of the Competition, a FESTIVAL is held, which brings together a community of harpists and musicians of different nationalities who offer interesting bets that bring closer to the knowledge of the repertoire written for the pedal harp and the traditional harp. Harpist Santiago Di Morales has been a key figure in the organization of each Contest and Festival, his presence has been enriching in all aspects, primarily serving as the Secretary of the International Harp Contest and Festival of Mexico.
That from childhood, new generations of harpists can develop competitive skills and have access to excellent artistic training to develop successful careers.
That the harp community can unite and promote the repertoire written for pedal and traditional harps. May we reach diverse audiences where musical endeavors highlight the diversity and cultural richness that the instrument encompasses in all its facets.
The Mexico International Harp Competition and Festival represents an opportunity to provide artistic tools that help high-performing harpists become excellent musicians.
This major event seeks to disseminate the harp repertoire and recognize the harp in its role as a soloist. It also aims to showcase and present the harp on stages and to audiences, where different performances can instill cultural and human values that transform environments.
Baltazar is Principal Harpist of the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico and Founder and Artistic Director of the Mexico International Harp Competition and Festival. He is frequently invited to the world’s most important harp festivals. His solo performances include the Young Israel Philharmonic, the Buenos Aires Philharmonic Orchestra, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the Zagreb Soloist, the Hong Kong City Chamber Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico, and the Xalapa Symphony Orchestra, among others. Of particular note are his invitations to give masterclasses at Indiana University, Indiana, USA; the China Conservatory of Music, Beijing, China; and the New Argentine Harp School, among others.
His discography includes: “Jardin des Paon,” a harp duo with French harpist Isabelle Perrin; “Three Harp Concertos” with French harpist Nicolás Tulliez, in the company of the Chamber Orchestra of Fine Arts of Mexico.
He also highlights his deep commitment to teaching. In his work as a harp professor, he has trained new generations of Mexican harpists with outstanding careers that have won international awards in various competitions.
Baltazar Juárez was born in Mexico City and began studying Mexican folk harp at an early age with his father, Baltazar Juárez Madrid. He later entered the National Conservatory of Mexico, where he studied with Judith Flores. He completed his studies with prominent harpists Susana Mildonian at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana, Siena, Italy; and with Susann McDonald at Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA, where he earned his Performer Diploma and Artist Diploma.
Founder and Artistic Director
Baltazar Juárez was born in Mexico City and began at an early age to study mexican folk harp with his father Baltazar Juarez Madrid, later he entered the National Conservatory of Mexico. He completed his studies with Susana Mildonian at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana, Siena, Italy; and Distinguished Professor Susann McDonald at Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA, where he obtained his Performer Diploma and Artist Diploma. He has the distinction of being invited to be part of the jury at the USA International Harp Competition, Bloomington, Indiana, USA, 2013; and being the “Guest Artist” for the 41st annual conference of the American Harp Society in June 2014. Baltazar is the Principal Harpist of the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico and has performed both as a soloist and as an orchestral musician in different parts of the world. His great commitment with teaching stands out, he has trained successful students as well as serving concurrently as head of the Harp Departments at the School-Orchestra Carlos Chávez, at the UNAM Music Faculty and the Ollin Yoliztli School of Music. He is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Mexico International Harp Competition and Festival, which is a worldwide benchmark and has established itself as the most important harp event in Latin America.
Executive Secretary
Santiago Di Morales was born in Veracruz, Mexico.
He completed his undergraduate studies at Indiana University Jacob School of Music in Bloomington, Indiana, with Distinguished Professor Susann McDonald, and also with Dr. Erzsébet Gaál-Rinne. He traveled specifically to Nice, France, to study “Le Cour de Perfectionament” with Mme. Elizabeth Fontan-Binoche, where he lived for four years. Santiago Di Morales won Second Prize in the UNESCO International Competition in 2005. He is the first Mexican to win First Prize, Premier Nome, at the Conservatoire de Cannes, where he studied with Mme. Lucille Dabos. He subsequently represented France at the Cannes Conservatoire Laureates in Concert du Festival de Jeunes Talents on Russian television. With Prof. Mme. Elizabeth Fontan-Binoche traveled to China in the fall of 2005 and 2006 to teach and perform at the Shanghai and Beijing conservatories.
In 2006, he was specifically invited by Mme. Edwige Motte to be a member of the jury for the 3rd International Harp Competition at the Ville de Lille, France, the first Mexican to receive this honor. He was the Founding Professor of the Harp Chair for seven years at the Cabañas Cultural Institute, the first in the history of the entire state of Jalisco and Western Mexico. Currently, Professor Santiago Di Morales is the creator of Arpa Aureus. Established on July 3, 2020, he will develop the ideas of online and in-person teaching based on his career in different countries. His album L’Eternal Reveur, heard on 105.1 FM and online, features music from Handel to Tournier, as well as German, Spanish, Czechoslovakian, Russian, and French music. Santiago Di Morales promotes the harp to different generations of harpists while introducing the instrument to the public. He is currently the executive secretary of the International Harp Festival and Competition in Mexico City, which takes place every three years.
Organizing Committee
Mabel Rodríguez is graduated from the Escuela Nacional de Música, UNAM. She studied under the direction of teacher Lidia Tamayo and later Rimsky Korsakov Conservatory in St.Petersburg, Russia Tower and teachers Tatiana Nadieshda Nikitischna. He participated for several years in various symphony orchestras in our country. Mabel studied Master of Music – Music Education at the Faculty of Music of the UNAM under the guidance of Dr. Graciela Guadalupe Martinez Salgado (+) and received the title in 2010 with honors. Today isdedicated to teaching, she is in charge of the chair of harp at the School of Music at the National Arts Centre. Also, part of the Symphony Orchestra Woodwind Cuauhtemoc.
Organizing Committee
An outstanding harpist and member of the Musas Harp Ensemble, she studied at the Carlos Chávez Orchestra-School of Music with Maestro Baltazar Juárez. She is a prolific musician with a wide musical spectrum, performing in orchestras, popular and folk music,and as a soloist.
Organizing Committee
Jaqueline Aguirre García is a prominent Mexican classical harpist who graduated with honors from the Vida y Movimiento School of Music at the Ollin Yoliztli Cultural Center, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree with a specialization in harp under the guidance of Maestro Baltazar Juárez. Her technical versatility allows her to master both the classical harp and the traditional Mexican harp.
Throughout her career, she has established a consistent presence in major ensembles in Mexico. She has performed as a guest musician with the National Symphony Orchestra (OSN) and the Eduardo Mata University Youth Orchestra (OJUEM), among others. In 2025, she reached a milestone in her career by making her solo debut with the Bellas Artes Chamber Orchestra (OCBA). She currently performs as an active musician with the Carlos Chávez School Orchestra, participating in chamber music ensembles and orchestral programs. His international experience includes having been a member of the Ibero-American Youth Orchestra in Panama City (2025) and appearances at renowned festivals such as the Cervantino International Festival.
Her talent has been recognized at numerous competitions, including: Second place (professional category) at the Ángel Padilla International Competition (2024) and Second place (advanced category) at the International Harp Competition in Mexico (2022). CONACULTA “Alas y Raíces” Award and an honorable mention for traditional harp performance (2014–2015).
Under the guidance of leading figures in the field, she has taken master classes with world-renowned teachers such as Aleksander Boldachev and Chantal Mathieu. She has also performed under the baton of prestigious conductors such as Ludwig Carrasco, Enrique Diemecke, and Gisele Ben-Dor.
Jaqueline has performed at Mexico’s most iconic venues, including the Palacio de Bellas Artes, the Sala Nezahualcóyotl, and the Sala Silvestre Revueltas, establishing herself as one of the most promising harpists on today’s music scene.
To our sponsors:
Infinite thanks to all the companies, organizations, institutions, and individuals who support this project. Their contributions have been vital in helping us fulfill the dreams of this community of harpists who tirelessly seek the opportunity to become excellent musicians and artists.
