Lucien Jun Adelaide

Lucien Jun Adelaide was diagnosed blind from birth and with glasses can discern shapes and colours in their one remaining eye. They grew up without ever touching musical instruments, always wanting to play the harp but never having the opportunity or encouragement. In September 2020, at the age of 32, they decided to realise that dream, rented a harp and begun lessons. They have since excelled through musical grades, won international competitions, performed with orchestras, gained music theory qualifications, and given radio interviews and public performances.
They gave up their previous career entirely to focus on the harp and have cultivated a community online through the Twitch streaming platform, empowering adult and disabled learners who wish to achieve professional musicianship despite hurdles. Adelaide, known online as NervousHarpist, shares their daily practice live, inviting musicians and non-musicians alike into a world where music is carefully and often frustratingly learnt, the entire process visible as it happens. Adelaide currently studies with Katie Wychulis and Heidi Lehwalder, the last pupil and protégé of Carlos Salzedo.
In 2025, Adelaide founded the O’Carolan Society of Blind Harpists Worldwide (TocSoc), an international network for blind harpists. Working with the RNIB volunteer service to broaden the limited array of braille harp music, TocSoc also provides social and performance opportunities both online and in person.