Welcome to the website of Petra van der Heide, Solo harpist of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. I am an orchestra harpist and guest teacher at the Conservatory of Amsterdam, where I give special masterclasses or trainings for orchestra parts, the ‘Auditietraining’.

The winner of the ‘9th Audition training’ which will take place from January 8th until February 19th 2008 will be invited to play with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra as a substitute. It is also possible to come and listen to orchestra rehearsals with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra during this season. Many famous orchestra audition parts will be rehearsed during the coming season. For example Mahlers 5th Symphony, Strauss- Don Juan, Bartoks Concerto for Orchestra and Berlioz’ Symphony Fantastique are on the schedule for this season.

You can also have private harp lessons in my house which are usually very motivating and inspiring and can go together with sleeping in my own Bed and Breakfast ‘Harpotel’: A mixture of practising, sleeping, relaxing and having a personal coach for several days. This is the perfect chance for those who are preparing an orchestra audition or want to have intensive private lessons in solo repertoire or chamber music. Please read the comments of earlier students on my website!