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 ‘10th Audition training’ which will take place from January until March 2009 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 when famous orchestra audition parts will be rehearsed. For example Verdi's La Forza del Destino Ouverture, Stravinsky Symfonie in 3 Mouvements and Stravinsky Alpsymphony are coming up in December and January.

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’: An ideal mixture of practising, sleeping, relaxing and having a personal coach for several days for those who are preparing an orchestra audition or want to have intensive private lessons.