With a deep appreciation for performing music, harpist Sebastian Gobbels is committed to showcasing the harp’s magnificent capability, all-embracing sound, and technical range. Hailing from Aurora, Ontario, Canada, Sebastian has pursued his musical dreams since the age of seven.

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As a soloist, Sebastian won 2nd Prize in the 2023 American Harp Society National Competition (Advanced Division) for his performances of Rhapsodie (Grandjany), Sonata for Harp (Tailleferre), and Every Lover is a Warrior (Agócs). His performance of Sonata for Harp also earned him a Gold Medal in the 2023 Quebec Music Competition. Other accolades include First Place in the Elite International Musical Competition and Charleston International Music Competition, Gold and Platinum Medals in the Quebec Music Competition, and top prizes in the North American Virtuoso Music Competition and YMIC International Competition. He was also a soloist with the Metropolitan Winds of Toronto, performing Handel’s Harp Concerto in B-flat.

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Sebastian was one of fifteen harpists worldwide selected for the 2019 Summerfest Harp Colony at the Curtis Institute of Music and has also attended the Young Artist Harp Seminar. From 2018 to 2021, he performed as principal harp for the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra, Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra, and Richmond Hill Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as guest harp for multiple Canadian orchestras. He spent summers with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada and the Bowdoin International Music Festival (2021–2024).

 

In 2024, Sebastian graduated from the Peabody Institute, Johns Hopkins University, with a Bachelor of Music in Harp Performance. He was nominated for Pi Kappa Lambda in recognition of his musical and academic excellence. While at Peabody, he was principal harp with Old Bay New Music and guest harp with the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra.

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​In May of 2025 Sebastian competed in the 13th USA International Harp Competition, one of the most prestigious events of its kind. He was one of only 40 harpists worldwide invited to participate and one of just 6 selected from North America.

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Sebastian is currently pursuing his Master of Music in Harp Performance at Yale School of Music under Professor June Han. He performs as principal harp with the Yale Philharmonia and guest harp with the Yale Symphony Orchestra and East Connecticut Symphony Orchestra. He is also one of the Mid-Atlantic Emerging Artists for the American Harp Society for the 2023–2025 term.

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Outside music, Sebastian enjoys working out, biking, and spending time with family and friends.