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, Temple University's Music Preparatory Program, and the Saratoga Harp Colony. 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.
Julie Ann Smith, Guest Artist, 2010
We're pleased to welcome internationally renowned performer and teacher Julie Ann Smith as our 2010 Guest Artist. Read more about Julie here.
Louisa Ellis Woodson, Teaching Assistant, 2010
Louisa Ellis Woodson has been playing the harp since age nine. In May, 2008, she received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in harp from Manhattan School of Music in New York. She also holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Harp Performance from Indiana University, where she studied with Distinguished Professor Susann McDonald.
In addition to maintaining a private harp studio, Dr. Woodson is currently the Principal Harpist with the Waco Symphony Orchestra. She is active as a freelance solo and chamber musician, having given performances in several states, and is also a founding member and proud participant in the Astraios music network. Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, Dr. Woodson currently lives in Austin, Texas.
Kristi Rostad Shade, Teaching Assistant 2010
Kristi Shade began playing the harp at the age of two, and has since become one of the preeminent emerging harpists in New York City, regularly performing with symphony orchestras both in New York and across the country. She is currently the principal harpist for the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas, the Chamber Orchestra of New York, One World Symphony and Ensemble 212.
Kristi received her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Miami, where she studied with Valerie Whitcup. She went on to study with Susan Jolles at the Manhattan School of Music, where she received her Master of Music degree in 2007. Since graduating, Kristi has played countless engagements both at home and abroad. In recent years, Kristi has played for several Broadway shows, including Wicked, Gypsy starring Patti Lupone and The Apple Tree starring Kristin Chenowith. She has performed multiple
times with hit popular bands, including The Killers and The All American Rejects. Television appearances include The Today Show, Late Night with David Letterman, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and All My Children. Kristi currently resides in Manhattan where she maintains a vigorous performance and teaching schedule. She is on faculty at the Manhattan School of Music Pre College Division where she teaches private lessons, harp ensemble and a harp repertoire class, which she co-created.
Katherine Denler, Counselor/Intern, 2010
Katherine Denler is a recent graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as a student of Dr. Ann Yeung. Since beginning private study with Dr. Yeung in 2004, Katherine has proactively sought out new experiences with the harp. During the past two summers, Katherine has been involved in Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, once as the International Youth Symphony Staff Harpist, and before as Counselor/Harp Assistant in 2008. Additionally, Katherine was an assistant at the University of Illinois Summer harp class in 2006 and 2007. In 2010, Katherine will perform as a featured artist, as well as a returning assistant. Katherine has been a part of many exciting orchestral experiences, performing under the baton of Vladamir Spivakov of the National Philharmonic of Russia, Joseph Flummerfelt the acting Chorus Master of the New York Philharmonic, Colonel Timothy Foley of “The President’s Own” Marine Corp Band. Katherine has also participated in master classes by Douglas Rioth and Karen Gottlieb, Ilona Nokelaynen, Susan Allen, and Isabelle Perrin. In Fall of 2010 Katherine plans to pursue a masters degree in Harp Performance.