“I created Classical Queens as a way to speak more freely, point to the reasoning behind cultural attitude and ideologies in classical music, and create a space to approach this art form with healthy inclusivity.”
Jessica Harned is a classically trained Violinist and lives in Boise, ID. She first became a member of the Boise Philharmonic in 2016, and since, has performed with local professional ensembles, including Mariachi Sol de Acapulco, who won the Governor's Award for Musical Excellence in 2018.
In 2020, Jessica received her Masters degree from Boise State, where she won the Boise Philharmonic Graduate Quartet Fellowship. This experience emboldened her to speak up about the life and experiences of the BIPOC community within classical music. Since then, she has spent her time fostering conversation about representation in classical music, on the radio, in the classroom, and within her own work, all while participating in music in inventive and diverse spaces.
Understanding that her career is multi-faceted, and being very proud of that, Jessica believes that this diverse path has helped her become the musician and person she is today, and she is looking forward to seeing what the future holds. In the meantime, you’ll find Jessica traveling, cooking, reading poetry, and enjoying great conversation.