March 2009—Katherine Siochi wins ASTA award; will appear on From The Top.

Kudos to YAHS alumni Katherine Siochi (2006–2008). The Iowa City high school harpist received first place in the Junior Division of the Amercian String Teachers (ASTA) National Solo Competition following a final round held March 19–20 in Atlanta, Ga. Siochi was also invited to perform on From The Top, a nationally broadcast NPR radio show that will tape live in Cedar Rapids on May 19 at 7:30 p.m. Siochi was a winner at the 2008 Young Artist's Harp Competition and has been a frequent featured soloist at YAHS concert series events.

January 2009—Katherine Siochi advances to final round in ASTA solo compoetition.

Katherine Siochi (2006–2008) is one of two finalists in the Junior Division of the American String Teachers Association National Solo Competition; the final round of the competition takes place March 19–20 in Atlanta. Read about the ASTA competition.

Fall 2008—Andrea Chieffo wins award

Andrea Chieffo (2004–2007), Principal Harpist with the Philadelphia Sinfonia, received an Outstanding Soloist award from the National Orchestra Honors Competition for her performance of Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade with the orchestra. The competition for youth, high school, and middle school orchestras is held annually. Chieffo is also Principal Harpist with the New Jersey All State Orchestra.

Fall 2008—Alicia Reid joins youth orchestras

Alicia Reid (2007–2008) is Principal Harpist with the Triangle Youth Philharmonic and the Triangle Youth Symphony, both in Raleigh, N.C.

January 2009—Taylor Mittleider wins concerto competition.

Taylor Mittleider (2007–2008) was a winner in the Southern Adventist University Concerto Competition; she performed the first movement of the Dittersdorf concerto for harp in a concert with orchestra on January 25.

December 2008—Bridget Kibbey will return as 2009 Guest Artist

Internationally renowned performer and teacher Bridget Kibbey will return to YAHS as the 2009 Guest Artst. Kibbey will expand her role this summer by giving masterclasses, lessons, and a concert for YAHS students. read more

September 2008—YAHS alumni enter colleges

YAHS alumni entered colleges and universities throughout the U.S. this fall as music majors. Brittany Stokes (2002–2008) began as a Music Major at Furman, in Greenville, South Carolina; Kelsey Canady (2007, 2008) began as a Music Education and Harp Performance major at the Peabody Institute, in Baltimore; Cari Ann Schlie (2005, 2006) entered the Hayes School of Music at Appalachian State University, in North Carolina, as a Music Education major; Anna Odell (2005) began as a Harp Performance major at the University of Toronto. Read more about alumni. Pictured, Anna Odell.

September 2008—Emily Palmier appointed to Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra

YAHS alumni Emily Palmier (2004–2008) joined the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra for its 2008–2009 season following a recent audition.

July, 2008—five YAHS students placed in the Young Artist's Harp Competition

Five YAHS students placed in the inaugural Young Artist's Harp Competition, held July 3–4, 2008. In the Emerging Artist Division, Brooke Rowland (2006, 2008) and Haley Rhodeside (2005, 2007, 2008) tied for First Prize, and Coline Jaget (2008) received Third Prize; Natalie Hoffmann (2008) received the special prize for the best performance of "Valse", by Bax. In the New Artist Division, Katherine Siochi received Third Prize.Read more here. Pictured, l. to r., Haley Rhodeside, Brooke Rowland, and Coline Jaget.

June, 2008—YAHS alumni featured in AHS masterclasses

Two YAHS alumni were invited to perform in masterclasses at the 2008 American Harp Society conference, in Detroit. Rebekah Wallen (2006–2008), age 16, performed Bach's "Bouree", etude #10 from the Bach-Grandjany Etudes for Harp, for Judy Loman; Angela Schwarzkopf (2005–2007), age 23, performed the Sonate for Harp, by Hindemeth, for Isabelle Moretti. Pictured, Rebekah Wallen.

Arpil 18, 2008—Kathryn Harms wins awards

YAHS alumni Kathryn Harms (2006) recently won the concerto competition for the Williamsburg (Va.) Youth Orchestra; she will be featured in a concert with the group on June 1.; Harms also won a scholarship fom the Williamsburg Music Club, placing first in the senior division.

April 18, 2008—Kelsey Canady accepted at Peabody

YAHS alumni Kelsey Canady (2007) will begin harp studies at the Peabody Institute of Music this fall as a student of Jeanne Chalifoux.

March 20, 2008—Introducing YAHS 2008 guest artist Bridget Kibbey

Acclaimed harpist Bridget Kibbey will visit Rabun Gap for the 2008 season of YAHS. Kibbey will serve as a judge for the Young Artist's Harp Competition, which preceeds YAHS, and give a masterclass on July 6 for YAHS participants. Kibbey will also be available for private lessons. Read more about Bridget here, or visit her website.

January, 2008—Brooke Rowland wins concerto competition

YAHS alumni Brooke Rowland (2006) won the 2008 Elkhart Symphony Ochestra Concerto Competition. Brooke, age 15, performed Handel's Concerto in B-flat.

January, 2008—YAHS alumni apppointed to local youth orchestras

High school students Brittany Stokes, 2002–2007 (pictured), and Andrea Chieffo 2004–2007, were accepted into local youth orchestras; Brittany plays with the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, and Andrea plays with the Philadelphia Sinfonia and the New Jersey All State Orchestra.

Nov. 11, 2007—Katherine Siochi performed Debussy's "Dances"

YAHS alumni Katherine Siochi (2006 and 2007) performed Debussy's Danses sacree et profane in a concert with the Iowa City Community String Orchestra. The ninth grade harpist is a student of Pamela Weest-Carrasco at the Preucil School of Music. In 2006 Siochi won the junior division of the Cedar Rapids Symphony Guild Concerto Competition.

Sept. 1, 2007—Young Artist's Harp Seminar to become non-profit

The Young Artist's Harp Seminar is working to obtain non-profit status in the state of Georgia, in conjunction with plans for the upcoming Young Artist's Harp Competition. Non-profit status will enable YAHS to better seek scholarship and competition funding by offering tax incentives to donors.

Sept. 1, 2007—Young Artist's Harp Seminar announces competition

The Young Artist's Harp Seminar has announced plans for a national competition, which will take place July 2–8, 2008, just prior to the start of the Young Artist's Harp Seminar. The Competition will include a winners recital on July 5 to coincide with the start of the Seminar.

July, 2007—Madeline Blood advances to the second stage at the USA International Harp Competition

YAHS 2003 alumni Madeline Blood was among 31 competitors at the USA International Harp Competition last July in Bloomington, Ind. Blood successfully advanced to the second stage of the competition. This fall Blood began studies as an Artist Diploma candidate at the Curtis Institute of Music, where she will study with Judy Loman and Elizabeth Hainen.

Sept. 1, 2007—Two YAHS 2007 alumni begin undergraduate degrees in harp

Anne Keller (pictured) and Kristin Lloyd left YAHS this summer to pursue undergraduate degrees in harp. Keller will study at Arizona State University with Lynne Aspnes, who begins this year as head of the harp program. Lloyd will attend Rice University as a student of Paula Page.

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