About the Prep program
About Prep
(This page is about the one-week Prep program. For information about the two-week YAHS program, see this page.)
Dates
One week • July 6–13, 2025
Faculty
Our 2024 Prep faculty was Kristi Shade and Maryanne Meyer. Find out more about them here.
Tuition and fees
Tuition
Tuition: $1818
The full tuition fee includes:
- all private lessons and workshops
- over-night resident lodging at Washington College in shared rooms
- all meals
- supervision
All applicants to the Preparatory Division must submit a non-refundable application fee.
Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from Washington College, and they are responsible for providing or renting their own harps.
Payment Schedule and Cancellation Policy
Upon acceptance to the Preparatory Division program, a deposit of 50% is due. Once we receive your first half tuition payment, a limited space in our dormitory is reserved for you. Payment plans are available upon request. In the unfortunate event you must cancel, please notify us immediately in writing by e-mail. The following cancellation policy applies:
Application Fee: non-refundable.
Before May 1, 2025: fifty percent of first half tuition is refundable; harp rental and shuttle fees are fully refundable.
Between May 1 and May 31, 2025: no refund of first half tuition; fifty percent refund on harp rental and shuttle fees; second half tuition is fully refundable.
After June 1, 2025: no refunds of any kind will be given.
Other Fees
Rental Harps
Limited rental harps are available for students who are flying to the seminar and cannot bring their own harp. If there are extra harps after all flyers have been accommodated, they will be offered to everyone first come first served.
Students renting harps will not be assigned an individual instrument as they have in the past. Students renting harps will have access to a shared pool of harps for practice and performance. This system is designed to conserve practice room space and ease harp moving to ensembles and classes.
This shared pool of harps will have a variety of styles of lever and petite pedal harps. If you are a prep student interested in renting a semi-grand, you can rent that harp separate from our pool system.
Please keep in mind that transporting a harp is difficult for everyone, even the staff! Our rental harps are difficult to obtain, and are not intended to be a convenience for those who simply don’t want to transport their own harp. Students renting harps are required to provide their own tuning key and replacement strings. Strings are available for purchase in the YAHS store. If possible, it will also be helpful to have your own transport dolly. More information about reserving rental harps will be available in registration materials.
If you would like to participate in our rental harp pool – pedal harp: $305
If you would like to participate in our rental harp pool – lever harp $205
If you would like to rent a bench: $38
Airport Transportation
We recommend flying into the Philadelphia airport. We will provide shuttle recommendations soon. YAHS will provide an escort for unaccompanied minors if requested. More details to come.
Application requirements
In addition to the application form, there are a number of other things you need to submit to fully apply to Prep 2025. All of these can be found on our apply page.
- application
- pay application fee
- teacher recommendation (for new students and/or scholarship applicants only)
- scholarship materials submission (for scholarship applicants only)
All of these are due by March 15, 2025.
Scholarships
How to apply for a Prep scholarship
Prep is pleased to offer several partial scholarships. Scholarships are awarded based on both merit and need and typically range from $100 to $350, depending on funds available each year. No full scholarships are available. All scholarship requests and materials are due by March 15, 2025. Scholarship recipients will be notified shortly after the deadline if any money has been awarded.
To apply for a scholarship, use the Prep Scholarshiop Application form below. Scholarship applicants must also submit a complete application to Prep, including application fee and teacher recommendation by the March 15, 2025 deadline. Only students who have applied to the program in full will be considered for a scholarship. Please also submit:
Audition recording
Submit a recording of a solo demonstrating your current level of ability.
Video essay
Your video essay should be no longer than two minutes and should describe why you are requesting a scholarship. Video essays should be uploaded as a private link to YouTube that will only be shared with us. Please include the following:
- Introduce yourself; name, age, and harp background.
- Tell us why you want to come to the PREP division of the Young Artist’s Harp Seminar.
- Tell us three things you love about playing the harp.
- Tell us how financial assistance in the form of a scholarship to PREP would be of value to your family.
Prep FAQ
What is the Prep Division?
The Prep Division is an exciting program offered alongside the Young Artist’s Harp Seminar. The Prep Division is open to both lever and pedal harpists ages 8-17 offering an option for students who are not quite ready for the full intensive experience of YAHS. The program runs for one week rather than the two-week YAHS program.
I’m not sure whether to apply to Prep or YAHS. Can you help me decide?
The Prep program is intended for students who are younger or less experienced than those attending the YAHS program. It is also open to lever harpists. It is ideal for students new to the harp, or those who haven’t reached the baseline proficiency for YAHS.
The Prep program is not intended for students who have reached the baseline proficiency for YAHS but would only like to come for one week, or who are looking for a less expensive option. Students capable of playing the piece “Solfegietto” by Bach should not apply to Prep.
Still unsure? Just email us and we’ll help you determine which program is right for you.
What will I do at the Prep seminar?
The Prep workshop will be a fun-filled week lead by our Prep faculty. Students will be surrounded by other young harpists and will experience activities all relating to music and the harp. There will also be plenty of outdoor and recreational activities.
What specific activities will I take part in?
Each harpist will receive two private lessons during their time at Prep. In addition, they will take part in exciting workshops, classes, and activities including harp ensemble, harp duos and trios, harp related arts and crafts, music reading and notation, and of course lots of fun regional activities.
Where will I keep my harp and practice?
Harps are kept in the dormitory in shared practice spaces. Students who cannot bring their own harp to the camp will be offered a rental option (note: rental harps are limited!). If students are not comfortable moving their harp from their room to rehearsal spaces, the Prep faculty will move their harp for them.
What will the workshops be like?
Workshops will be held in a group setting lead by Prep faculty and will cover all ranges of harp and music related topics. The groups may be divided into ability levels if necessary. Some examples include how to get the most out of your practice time, reading music, rhythmic activities, basic theory, improvisation, how to play with an ensemble, the harp in an orchestra, masterclasses, and basic harp maintenance.
How much interaction will I have with the YAHS program?
The Prep Division runs alongside the YAHS but is one week shorter and our classes are separate. Prep students reside in their own dormitory. Students will each have a roommate and share bathrooms. Mealtimes and many recreational activities are held with YAHS, which is a great opportunity to meet fabulous older harpists! You will also have the chance to observe some YAHS masterclasses and concerts to be further inspired!
Will I play in a concert?
Yes! There will be a concert featuring Prep Division students on the final day. It will include ensemble, small groups, and solo pieces and will be open to the public and for your parents!
How will I stay in touch with my parents?
You will also have the opportunity to call your parents as well as put together video emails to show the fun stuff you are doing at Prep!
Do you have a question not answered here? Just email us at info@harpseminar.com!
Apply to Prep
Start your 2025 application
Get your application started today in three easy steps.
1. Create an account on the Harp Seminar website.
2. Submit the application form (available January 1, 2025).
3. After submitting the form, you will be redirected to the application fee payment page.
Teacher recommendations are required for all new applicants. You can submit these anytime before March 15, 2025.
“[YAHS Prep] extremely increased my harp skills and got me inspired by learning from the accomplished harp teachers!”
—Theo (Prep student)
For teachers
teacher recommendation
Submit the form below to recommend your student to attend our one-week Prep Division seminar this summer as a new student and/or scholarship recipient. (To submit a teacher recommendation for the two-week YAHS program, see this page.)
Thank you for encouraging your student to attend the Young Artist’s Harp Seminar!
Prep application form
Prep teacher recommendation
Prep Scholarship Application
Pay application fee
Payment links will be available in January.