Hermione, a 14-year-old harpist from Vancouver, Canada, began her musical journey on the piano before discovering her passion for the harp at age 7 after attending a live performance. She has achieved strong results in Royal Conservatory of Music examinations, including Level 2 Harp (First Class Honours with Distinction and the Celebration of Excellence Award for British Columbia & Yukon), Level 6 Harp (Honours), Level 8 Theory (First Class Honours with Distinction), and Levels 9 and 10 Harmony. Her competition successes include 1st Place at the Vancouver Kiwanis Music Festival in 2019, the Outstanding Junior Harp Performance Award from VAYA International Festivals in 2021, and additional 1st Place finishes at the Vancouver Kiwanis Music Festival in 2022 and 2023. From 2022 to 2024, Hermione volunteered with the Youth Musician & Artist Association, performing regularly at senior homes. In 2024, she earned 1st Place at the Canadian Music Festival. In 2025, she won 1st Place at the Vancouver Kiwanis Music Festival with the Red Skirt Ensemble and 2nd Place at the Vancouver International Music Festival. In 2026, she performed Girl in the Red Skirt as a concerto with the Richmond Orchestra & Chorus. Outside music, she enjoys badminton, and spending time with family.
Watch Hermione Ching Yan So perform Girl in the Red Skirt by Lori Pappajohn on the harp for the 2026 Spring Music Competition as part of the Charleston International Music Competition.
Watch Hermione Ching Yan So perform Cadenza from the Nutcracker Suite op. 71a by Tchaikovsky on the harp for the 2026 Summer Music Competition as part of the Charleston International Music Competition.
Watch Hermione Ching Yan So perform The Butterfly Trees by Alfredo Rolando Ortiz on the harp for the 2026 World Music Competition as part of the Charleston International Music Competition.