Vendulka Vaňková

harpist of the National Theatre in Prague, teacher at the Jan Hanuš Elementary Art School and artistic advisor of the International Harp Competition of Professor Karel Patras.

Vendulka Vaňková studied at the Prague Conservatory in the class of Professor Libuše Váchalová and continued her education at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague with Professor Karel Patras.

As a harpist of the State Opera in Prague (now part of the National Theatre) she has performed in numerous opera and ballet productions and toured extensively throughout Europe as well as in Japan. She is currently a member of the harp section of the National Theatre Orchestra in Prague.

Alongside her orchestral work she appears as a solo and chamber musician and has long been active in projects featuring the harp at ceremonial occasions, particularly wedding ceremonies at Loučeň Castle and the castles of Houska and Kokořín.

Vendulka Vaňková is also deeply committed to teaching. She teaches harp at the Jan Hanuš Elementary Art School in Prague 6 and has previously taught at the Elementary Art School in Prague 5 – Zbraslav. Her students regularly take part in competitions and concerts, including major harp concerts organised in cooperation with the Jan Hanuš School, the Zbraslav Music School and the Prague Conservatory.

She serves as chair of the harp section of the Central Artistic Council for Elementary Art Schools and as artistic advisor of the International Harp Competition of Professor Karel Patras, held at the Jan Hanuš School in Prague. In this role she helps to prepare harp festivals and competitions and contributes to the creation of repertoire lists and methodological support for harp teachers.