Frédérique Cambreling was born on January 21, 1956 in Amiens, France. She began her musical education at the Conservatoire d'Amiens before moving to the Conservatoire de Paris, where she studied under Gérard Devos and Pierre Jamet. Cambreling's early career included winning third place at the Guilde des Jeunes Artistes competition, second prize at the Concours d'Israël in 1976, and first prize at the Concours Marie-Antoinette Cazala in 1977. From 1977 to 1986, she served as the principal harpist with the Orchestre National de France. Her solo career gained momentum in 1981 with invitations to perform in the United States and Japan in 1986. Cambreling joined the Ensemble intercontemporain in 1993, remaining until 2018, and was also a member of the Trio Salzedo. She taught at Musikene in Spain from 2002 to 2011, the Conservatoire de Paris, and the Académie Tibor Varga.
