Georgia Xagara is principal harp of the State Orchestra of Athens, Greece. She began her studies on the harp at the age of 12, with Maria Bildea, at the State Conservatoire of Thessaloniki and then at Atheaneum (Athens), with the same teacher. She was awarded her diploma with the highest marks and distinction in 1998. Additionally, she holds a degree on Theatre Studies from the Department of Fine Arts of Aristotles’ University of Thessaloniki. A scholarship by the State enabled her to continue her studies at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, where she obtained her postgraduate diploma in advanced studies in performance. She has actively participated in seminars with distinguished harp soloists such as Fabrice Pierre, Yolanda Kondonassis, Ion Ivan Roncea, Elizabeth Fontane Binoche.
At the age of 21 she started her professional career as principal harp with the State Orchestra of Thessaloniki under the artistic direction of Leonidas Kavakos. She served as principal harp with all major Greek Orchestras. Since September 2001 she holds the chair of solo harp at the State Orchestra of Athens. As a soloist, she has collaborated with La Camerata, the State Orchestra of Athens, the City of Thessaloniki Symphony Orchestra and smaller ensembles. Active as a pedagogue, Georgia was harp professor at the State Conservatory of Thessaloniki from 1998 till 2007 and also taught at the Athens Conservatoire (2009 - 2012). From 2005 she has been teaching at the “Ph. Nakas” Conservatory and regularly teaches in summer music seminars. With flutist Nikos Nikopoulos she performs as “Duo Choriambus” and they appear in recitals all over the country. They have appeared at the World Harp Congress in 2005 performing a piece written for them by the well-known Greek composer Theodore Antoniou. Several composers have dedicated works to the duo, some of which are included in a CD – released in 2008 - entitled “Dialogues” for flute and harp. They have also performed at the International Flute Convention in 2008 in Manchester.
As a member of a harp quartet Georgia has appeared at the Megaron Concert Hall of Athens and also at TV shows presenting pieces for two or four harps from the Greek traditional music. Georgia plays frequently with larger chamber music ensembles such as flute-viola-harp trio or string quartet with harp.
