Faculty
Susan Bennett Brady and Kimberly Rowe form a dynamic and inspiring teaching duo; the two met in 1980 while studying harp at the Brevard Music Center summer program in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Brady went on to attend the Curtis Institute of Music, in Philadelphia, and Rowe became her private student, later attending the Cleveland Institute of Music. They share a common teaching philosophy that emphasizes a strong tone and facility on the harp, regardless of a student's technical background. Both have gone on to professional harp careers and credit their time spent in intensive summer study as an integral part of their success.
Susan Bennett Brady, Artist Faculty
Susan Bennett Brady performs extensively in the Atlanta area as a classical free-lance harpist and soloist. As principal harpist in the Atlanta Opera, Macon Symphony and Columbus Symphony Orchestras, she is also co-founder and faculty harpist at the Young Artist’s Harp Seminar and founder/director of the Atlanta Harp Ensemble, for which she writes and arranges music. She is a prizewinner in the American Harp Society National Competition, Young Professional Division, and the Elizabeth Herbert Hobin Harp Competition and attended Berkshire Music Festival at Tanglewood. Brady currently has one of the highest regarded private harp studios in the country, and writes regularly for Harp Column.
Kimberly Rowe, Artist Faculty
Kimberly Rowe is best known as editor of Harp Column, a magazine she founded in 1993 that now circulates to harpists worldwide. She also teaches young harp students and performs for ensembles throughout the mid-Atlantic region that have included the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Baltimore Symphony. She performs frequently in Atlantic City showrooms for stars such as Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra, Jr.
Kimberly has been a featured performer and speaker at the American Harp Society's National Conferences (in 1993, 2004, and 2008), at the 2002 World Harp Congress in Geneva, and at the Lyon & Healy Jazz and Pop Harpfest (in 1993 a nd 2007). She is on the faculty at Temple University, Rowan University, and Temple University's Music Preparatory Program. Kimberly attended the Cleveland Institute of Music where she received Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in 1987 and 1989 as a student of Alice Chalifoux.
Maria Luisa Rayan-Forero, Guest Artist, 2011
We're pleased to welcome internationally renowned performer and teacher Maria Luisa Rayan-Forero as our 2011 Guest Artist. Read more about Maria Luisa here.
Maryanne Meyer, Teaching Assistant
We're pleased to welcome back our 2009 Teaching Assistant Maryanne Meyer for another season. Maryanne is a professional harpist residing in Philadelphia, Pa., where she serves as Principal Harp with the N.J.-based Symphony in C and frequently performs with the Delaware Symphony. A two-time competitor at the USA International Harp Competition, Maryanne is well versed in harp solo repertoire and concertizes throughout the Mid Atlantic and Mid West regions. Maryanne maintains a large private teaching studio and is on the faculty of Settlement Music School, in Philadelphia. Maryanne holds degrees from Indiana University and Temple University.
Kristi Rostad Shade, Teaching Assistant
Kristi Rostad Shade returns again as a Teaching Assistant. Kristi continues her active career as a New York City freelance harpist, performing with groups such as the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas and One World Symphony. Kristi has played for many Broadway shows, and has performed with rock bands including The Killers and The All American Rejects, with whom she appeared on Late Night with David Letterman. Kristi is well versed in all styles of music and will again lead jazz classes at YAHS. Kristi studied at Miami University and at the Manhattan School of Music where she now teaches at the Precollege Program.
Elizabeth Morgan-Ellis, Counselor Apprentice
Originally from Seattle, Elizabeth Morgan-Ellis is currently pursuing her Master of Music degree at Temple University's Boyer College of Music and Dance, where she studies with Eliabeth Hainen. in Seattle, Elizabeth worked with Patricia Jaeger, Jill Whitman, and Heidi Lehwalder. Elizabeth performed with the Seattle Opera Young Artists as well as the Whatcom and Skagit Valley Symphony.
Staff Alumni
Read about our previous Teaching Assistant and Counselor/Apprentice staff.