The Ann Hobson Pilot Award (AHP Award) honors Ms. Pilot’s artistic and professional achievements, her contributions to the development of harp education and the legacy of harp music, her grace and dignity in the fight against racism and discrimination, and her role in increasing diversity among orchestral musicians. Inspired by Ms. Pilot, Elizabeth Hainen established the award in 2023, recognizing the need for support to jumpstart a harpist’s professional career.
The award is presented to an outstanding graduate of the Lyra Society who has earned a degree in music, demonstrated excellence in harp musicianship, is pursuing a professional career as a harpist, and supports cultural equality through music education.
The winner of the Ann Hobson Pilot Award receives a Lyon & Healy Concert Grand Harp and necessary accessories, valued at over $25,000.
Medgina Maitre – 2023 Inaugural Winner
The 2023 winner of the Ann Hobson Pilot Award, Medgina Maitre, received a Lyon & Healy Concert Grand Harp courtesy of generous gifts from Lyon & Healy Harps, Inc. and Jocelyn G. Ewart, Founding Director of Entrust Financial. Ms. Ewart’s firm, Entrust Financial, is committed to improving and sustaining communities, particularly through the arts, and is honored to support the Ann Hobson Pilot Award.
Medgina Maitre is the 2023 recipient of the inaugural Ann Hobson Pilot Award in recognition of her demonstrated excellence to harp musicianship and performance. She began her harp education in Lyra’s Glissando program in 2014 at the Philadelphia High School for Girls. With the encouragement and support of her Teaching Artist Elizabeth Steiner, who taught her from ninth grade until her graduation in 2018, Medgina welcomed the opportunity for private lessons with Elizabeth Hainen, Principal Harpist of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Founder and Artistic Director of the Lyra Society. Medgina was accepted to the harp programs of the Peabody School of Music and the Boyer School of Music at Temple University. She chose Temple, where she became a student of Ms. Hainen.
Lyra Society opens doors to diversity in the harp world. The tireless work of Elizabeth Hainen and her staff embody this important change. I am honored by the recognition that this award represents and proud to be part of the Lyra family.
Ann Hobson Pilot, about the establishment of the award
AboutAnn Hobson Pilot
Ann Hobson Pilot is an internationally renowned classical harpist, now retired from the Boston Symphony and Boston Pops Orchestras. As an African American woman in the classical music world, she broke barriers of both race and gender; and she is devoted to expanding access to musical training for underserved students and to raising awareness about issues of diversity and inclusion of underrepresented musicians in orchestras. She was born in Philadelphia and is a graduate of the Philadelphia High School for Girls and of the Cleveland Institute of Music where she was a student of Alice Chalifoux. In 1966, she was hired by the National Symphony (Washington, D.C.) as Principal Harpist, making her the first Black Principal (for any instrument) in an American orchestra. She joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1969 and was named Principal Harp in 1980.
An international soloist, Ms. Pilot has performed with orchestras in Europe, New Zealand, South Africa, and Argentina as well as with many American orchestras. Committed to harp education, she recently retired from the faculties of the New England Conservatory of Music and Boston University and stepped down as Director of Boston University Tanglewood Institute’s Young Artists Harp Program. Among her many honors, she has received the Gold Baton from the League of American Orchestras and three honorary doctorates including one from the Cleveland Institute of Music, her alma mater. In a PBS documentary (A Harpist’s Legacy: Ann Hobson Pilot and the Sound of Change), the full impact of Ms. Pilot’s legacy is affirmed by her students and celebrated by James Levine, Yo-Yo Ma, and John Williams. Paying homage to her artistry, Maestro Williams composed a harp concerto for her when she retired from the Boston Symphony Orchestra (“On Willows and Birches”) saying that “it was a privilege to be asked,” and describing her as “a magician in the harp world.”
2023 Sponsors
Lyon & Healy artisans have maintained a commitment to a practice of old-world craftsmanship while embracing new-world innovations for more than 130 years. Since building its first harp in 1889, Lyon & Healy has ensured that care, precision, and pride go into the building of each harp and that modern technology is utilized to refine parts of the instrument in greater detail and efficiency. The name Lyon & Healy equates to superiority and ingenuity in harpmaking as defined by harpists worldwide.
Joslyn G. Ewart is the Founding Principal of Entrust Financial, a women-owned independent investment firm. In her words, “Higher education is fundamental, and women must be afforded the opportunity to cultivate their talents and intellect.” Among her commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion for women, as well as underrepresented groups, is the My Best Teacher Scholarship Fund she endowed at Temple University. Inspired by her two decades as a classroom music teacher for the School District of Philadelphia, her generosity helps remove financial obstacles for students of all backgrounds as they prepare for fulfilling careers. Her scholarship fund provides full tuition for music majors with financial need. Ms. Ewart is the author of “Balancing Act: Wealth Management Straight Talk for Women,” and contributes all proceeds of her book to My Best Teacher Scholarship Fund.
