Harpist Yolanda Kondonassis is one of the world's most famous players of her instrument. She says one of the factors in her choice of the harp was that she loved the sensation of creating the music directly by her fingers on the strings. She obtained regular employment as an orchestral harpist, then in 1987, won a prize that enabled her to tour for five years. She developed a program where she played music, made light commentary, and interacted with the audience. She plays all the regular harp repertory, recording much of it. She has also made transcriptions, has commissioned new works, and has begun to compose in her own right. Kondonassis continues to communicate both with contemporary music aficionados and crossover audiences.