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.

May 2009—Marissa Knaub attneding Cleveland Institute of Music.

Marissa Knaub (Teaching Assistant 2006–2008, will leave her post teaching for the Atlanta Public Schools Urban Youth Harp Program this year to join the Professional Development Program at the Cleveland Institute of Music, where she will study with Yolanda Kondonassis.

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.

March 2009—Maryanne Meyer named Teaching Assistant.

YAHS is pleased to welcome Maryanne Meyer as our Teaching Assistant for the 2009 season. Meyer currently serves as Principal Harpist for the Camden, N.J., Symphony in C. Read more about her on our faculty page.

February 2009—YAHS now offering live auditions at Virginia and Atlanta Harp Centers.

We are now offering in-person auditions at the Virginia Harp Center Haddonfield N.J. location and the Atlanta Harp Center. If you plan to apply to YAHS and live near one of these stores, you can schedule a live audition with a faculty instructor in lieu of submitting an audition recording. To schedule an audition, contact us.

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.

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 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

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.

Fall 2008—Samantha Horn joins NFSYO

Samantha Horn (2007–2008) became Principal Harpist with the Northwest Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra and was a featured soloist on their December concert.

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.

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