About The Program

Founded in 2002, the Young Artist's Harp Seminar has quickly become one of the pre-eminent summer training programs for today’s young harpists. Located in Northern Georgia just a few miles from the North Carolina border in the Smoky Mountains foothills region, YAHS is open to pedal harpists ages 12–26 who want to focus entirely on the harp without distraction. The program is designed to improve performance skills and practice habits and intensify preparation for solo performances, orchestral auditions, and competitions. Students are expected to spend a period of time each day in intensive practice. Other time is spent in guided practice, lessons, and masterclasses, along with recreational and social activities.

The Young Artist's Harp Seminar has nurtured the talents of hundreds of young musicians. YAHS alumni have pursued careers in harp at top music schools and conservatories throughout the country, including Juilliard, the Curtis Institute of Music, the Cleveland Institute of Music, the Eastman School of Music, the Manhattan School of Music, Roosevelt College, Oberlin Conservatory, Temple University, Rice University, the University of Michigan, the University of Toronto, and the Peabody Institute, to name just a few. Other YAHS alumni have pursued careers outside of music but continue to keep the harp and music an important part of their life.

Typically, up to 30 harpists are accepted to attend the two-week program. Acceptance is based on an audition recording and teacher recommendation. In special cases, students under age 12 will be admitted as Junior participants. "Juniors" are held to the same artistic standards, however prepartation and participation requirements are slightly relaxed. Please inquire about Junior participation.

Can't attend this year but want to see what it's all about? Come spend a day with us through our Shadowing Program.

Lessons and Performances

During their two-week stay, students will participate in:

• Private Lessons and Masterclasses
• Solo Recitals
• Mock Orchestra Auditions
• Public Performances

Workshops

Throughout the session, students will participate in a variety of workshops, including:

• Stage Presence and Memorization
• Nerves and Performance Anxiety
• Competitions and Auditions
• Orchestral Excerpts
• Harp Ensemble
• Music Theory

Competition

Each season the Young Artist's Harp Seminar holds a solo competition. Winners are selected to perform a solo with harp ensemble accompaniment on the Gala Grand Finale Concert. Competitors can enter the competition with one of the following pieces:

"Ten Past Two" from Around the Clock Suite, by Chertok
Concerto in D, Vivaldi/Moore, any movement
Concerto in C, Vivaldi/Moore, any movement
Handel Concerto in B Flat, 3rd Movement, any version
Deep River, by Grandjany
Aria in Classic Style, by Grandjany
Sonata in C, by Clementi/Waddington, any movement
Debussy's "Danses Sacree et Profane" (one or both movements)

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