Louisa Ellis Woodson, Teaching Assistant, 2010

Louisa Ellis Woodson is harp instructor at Baylor University in Texas; she is also Principal Harpist wih the Waco Symphony Orchestra. 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. Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, Dr. Woodson currently lives in Austin, Texas.

Kristi Shade, Teaching Assistant, 2010

Kristi Shade resides in New York City, where she is principal harpist for the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas, the Chamber Orchestra of New York, One World Symphony, and Ensemble 212. She is on faculty at the Manhattan School of Music Pre College Division. 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. 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.

Katherine Denler, Counselor/Apprentice, 2010

Katherine Denler is a recent graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as a student of Dr. Ann Yeung. 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. 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.

Maryanne Meyer, Teaching Assistant, 2009

Maryanne holds a B.M. and Performer Diploma in harp performance from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, where she studied with Distinguished Professor of Music Susann McDonald. She also received a M.M. from Temple University's Boyer College of Music and Dance studying with Elizabeth Hainen. Maryanne currently performs with New Jersey's Symphony in C and other regional orchestras.

Diana Elliot, Counselor/Apprentice, 2009

Diana received her Master of Music degree at Temple University studying with Elizabeth Hainen, and a B.M. from University of Michigan studying with Lynne Aspnes; she also participated in one year study abroad program with Isabelle Perrin at the Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris. Diana is currently manages the Virginia Harp Center, Haddonfield, N.J. brach, and performs throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

Anna Odell, Counselor/Apprentice, 2009

Anna attended YAHS as a student in 2005. In 2007 she was accepted into the Juilliard school, but ultimately chose to pursue a harp performance degree at University Toronto where she now studies with Judy Loman.

Marissa Knaub, Teaching Assistant, 2006-08, Counselor/Apprentice, 2005

Marissa Knaub holds degrees from the Berklee College of Music, and the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University. Following time spent teaching at the Urban Youth Harp Program, in Atlanta, Marissa is now studying with Yolanda Kondonassis through the Cleveland Institute of Music's Professional Development Program

Jennifer Ellis, Counselor/Apprentice, 2008

Jennifer Ellis, a YAHS student in 2003, is completing her final year at Oberlin Conservatory, where she studies with Yolanda Kondonassis; she teaches at Oberlin's Secondary Instrument program and performed in summer 2009 wiht the American Wind Symphony Orchestra.

Kristal Schwartz, Counselor/Apprentice, 2008

San Francisco Conservatory of Music where she studied with Doug Rioth and Marcella DeCray.

She recently started a harp program at Valley Christian Conservatory in San Jose, Calif.

Caroline Cole, Counselor/Apprentice, 2007

Caroline attended YAHS as a student in 2005. She received her B.M in harp from the University of Toronto studying with Judy Loman. In Fall, 2009, she entered Juilliard as a Master of Music student studying with Nancy Allen.

Monica Vassey, Counselor/Apprentice 2007

Monica is a professional harpist in Baltimore; BM and MM from Peabody Institute of Music studying with Ruth Inglefield.

Angela Schwarzkopf, Counselor/Apprentice, 2006-07

Angela attended YAHS as a student in 2005; she is now pursuing a Master of Music major in harp performance at University of Toronto studying with Judy Loman.

Adrienne Wager, Counselor/Apprentice, 2005

Adrienne is currently Harp Instructor at James Madison University, in Charlottesville, Virginia; she received a BM in harp performance from Vanderbilt University studying with Marian Shaffer; and an MM from Cleveland Institute of Music studying with Yolanda Kondonassis.

Merriebeth Spooner, Counselor/Apprentice, 2004

Mariebeth is a professional harpist in Georgia; she attended Cleveland Institute of Music studying with Yolanda Kondonassis.

Kristi Rostad Shade, Counselor/Apprentice, 2003

Kristi is a professional harpist residing in in New York City. She has performed for several Broadway shows and teaches at the Manhattan School of Music. She has a B.M. in harp performance from University of Miami, and an M.M. in harp performance from the Manhattan School of Music studying with Susan Jolles.