November 2011; Announcing 2012 Guest Artist Judy Loman

We're excited to announce that Judy Loman will be the 2012 YAHS Guest Artist. Ms. Loman will be in residence during week 1 of the seminar to give lessons, masterclasses, and a concert on Sunday, July 15. She will also serve as a jury member for the Young Artist's Harp Competition. read more

July 2011; Harp Quilt Raffle results

YAHS student Eleanor Reich, of Purchase, NY, is the winner of the 2012 Harp Quilt Raffle! The raffle raised nearly $700 for the YAHS scholarship fund. Thank you to our generous friends for your support.

July, 2011; YAHS 2012 and competition dates announced

The next Young Artist's Harp Seminar will take place July 14-28, 2012. YAHS will be preceded July 11-14 by the Young Artist's Harp Competition, open to harpists of any nationality ages 11-19. Visit the competition website for more details, including required repertoire.

June, 2011; YAHS receives American Harp Society Grant

The Young Artist's Harp Seminar received a grant from the American Harp Society through their new grant program. The grant helped award partial scholarships to YAHS students for the 2011 season. Recipients were Samantha Horn, Tinsley Stokes, Sophie Graf, Emily Maldonado, and Gian Torrano Jacobs.

December—2010; YAHS announces Guest Artist Maria Luisa Rayan-Forero

Argentinian harpist Maria Luisa Rayan-Forero will be the 2011 YAHS Guest Artist. Rayan-Forero will be in residence during week two of the seminar to present masterclasses, private lessons, a workshop, and a concert. Read more

September—2010 Alumni Head to College

Pictured, Kevin Layer, who will attend the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Congratulations to the YAHS class of 2014! Here's where some of our alumni are headed this fall: Liana Alpino (YAHS 2008–09) Belmont University, Nashville, music business and harp performance studying with Heidi O'Gara Jellison;

Anna Bikales (YAHS 2009) Bard College; harp performance major studying with Bridget Kibbey; Jordan Bilak (YAHS 2008–09) Shwob School of Music at Columbus State University; harp performance major studying with Susan Brady; Elizabeth Coe (YAHS 2008) Reinhardt University; harp performance major studying with Susan Brady; Samantha Horn (YAHS 2007–2010) Mcalaster College; harp performance major studying with Ann Benjamin; Kevin Layer (YAHS 2009–10) Cleveland  Institute of Music; harp performance major studying with Yolanda Kondonassis; Taylor Mittleider (YAHS 2007–09) Southern Adventist University; harp performance major studying with Susan Brady; Emily Palmier (YAHS 2004–09) Florida State Univeristy; harp performance major studying with Mary Bridgid Roman; Rebekah Wallen (YAHS 2006–10) University of Michigan; harp performance major studying with Joan Holland; Katie Wiggins (YAHS 2009) Baldwin Wallace College; harp performance major studying with Jody Guinn.

August 2010–Miss Michigan's Outstanding Teen is…

…YAHS alum Brooke Rowland (2006, 2008)! Rowland—who also won first prize in the 2008 Young Artist's Harp Competition, Emerging Artist Division—traveled to Orlando in August where she become a top ten finalist at the Miss America's Outstanding Teen pageant, the sister program to Miss America. Brooke performed an excerpt from Pierne's Impromptu-Caprice for the talent portion, which helped net her two full-ride scholarships (to Troy University and Auburn University) along with an award for Scholastic Excellence. Way to go Brooke!

July–2010 Young Artist's Harp Competition Winners Announced

Visit the YAHC website to read about winners of the 2010 Young Artist's Harp Competition, held July 8–10, 2010.

July–2010 Quilt Raffle Winner

Congratulations to Shirley Couch, winner of our harp quilt raffle. The harp quilt was designed and sewn by Susan Brady; proceeds from the raffle raised over $600 for the YAHS scholarship fund. Many thanks to all who contributed. Shirley is grandmother to 2010 YAHS student Cambria Russell, who will receive the quilt.

May—2010 Elisabeth Remy Johnson joins competition judging panel

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Principal Harpist Elisabeth Remy Johnson has joined the juding panel for the 2010 Young Artist's Harp Competition. Remy Johnson will replace Ina Zdorovetchi who withdrew due to scheduling. Read more about Elisabeth here.

November 2009—YAHS annuonces 2010 Guest Artist Julie Ann Smith

YAHS is pleased to announce our 2010 Guest Artist Julie Ann Smith, Principal Harpist with the San Diego Symphony. Ms. Smith will be in residence to present masterclasses, private lessons, a concert, and serve as a judge for the 2010 Young Artist's Harp Competition. Read more about Julie Ann Smith.

November 2009—YAHS alumni in the news.

Molly Arns (2006, pictured left) performed her Junior recital at the University of Denver, where she is a Harp Performance major studying with Suzanne Moulton-Gertig. Samantha Horn (2007-09) is Principal Harpist for the Northwest Flordia Symphony Youth Orchestra and performed the first movement of the Dittersdorf Concerto for Harp with them in October; she also substituted this year for the Pensacola Opera. Alicia Reid (2007-09) is harpist with the North Carolina Symphony Young All Stars chamber orchestra. Meredith Bradshaw (2009) is Principal Harpist in the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra in Atlanta. Kristin Quint (2009) is Principal Harpist in the Curb Youth Symphony of the Nashville Symphony. Caroline Scism (2009) is performing in the orchestra at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Bethany Wheeler (2008-09) is Co-Principal harpist for the Waterloo Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra and recently performed Mahler's Fifth Symphony.

November 2009—Judges announced for 2010 Young Artist's Harp Competition.

The judging panel has been announced for the 2010 Young Artist's Harp Competition and will include Julie Ann Smith, Gillian Bennet Sella, Lynne Abbey-Lee, Delaine Fedson, Ina Zdorovetchi, Marcia Dickstein, Robbin Gordon-Cartier, and Ann Yeung. Read more about the judges.

July 2009—YAHS receives GCA grant

The Young Artist's Harp Seminar and Competition received a 2010 Award Grant from the Georgia Council for the Arts, putting YAHS in tech company of organizations such as the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Atlanta Ballet, and the Atlanta Boychoir, who also received funding. The award will help with seminar and competition expenses in the coming year. "We are thrilled not only to receive this funding, but to have received recognition on the level of these other prestigious arts organizations," say YAHS co-directors Kimberly Rowe and Susan Bennett Brady.

May 2009—Alumni Announce College Plans

YAHS alumni will enter college programs next fall at top schools throughout the country: Mika Catalino (2005-06), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, studying Nursing. Andrea Chieffo (2004–07, 2009), Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, Music Education, studying with Kimberly Rowe. Katie Harms (2006), Ball State University, Muncie, IN, French and Harp Performance, studying with Elizabeth Richter, Tyler Hartley (2002-05, 2008)Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, Bachelor of Music, studying with Elizabeth Hainen. Haley Rhodeside (2005, 2007-08, ) Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, Harp Performance, studying with Susann McDonald. Shaun Stimson (2006-09), Clearwater Christian College, Clearwater, FL, Music Education, studying with Dolly Roberts. Are you a YAHS alumni attending college this Fall? Tell us

May 2009—Kristi Shade plays on Letterman show

Professional harpist Kristi (Rostad) Shade (counselor, 2003) played on The Letterman Show April 27 with the rock band the All American Rejects. Watch the clip. She returns to the show on May 11 to play with The Killers, and on May 12 she plays again with the All American Rejects on the Craig Ferguson Show.

May 2009—Caroline Cole accepted at Juilliard

Former YAHS student and counselor Caroline Cole (2005, 2007) has been accepted to the Master of Music program at Juilliard. She will begin in Fall, 2009, as a student of Nancy Allen.

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Monica Chieffo

Harp Peformance major at Temple University studying with Elizabeth Hainen.