About the Prep program

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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 7–14, 2026

Faculty

Our 2026 Prep faculty are Kristi Shade and Katie Andrews. Find out more about them here.

Tuition and fees

Tuition

Tuition: $1994

All applicants to the Prep program must submit an $85 non-refundable application fee.

The full tuition fee includes:

  • all private lessons and workshops
  • over-night resident lodging in shared rooms
  • all meals and activities
  • supervision

Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from Kenyon College and for providing or renting their own harps.

Other Fees

Rental Harps

Limited rental harps are available for students who are flying to the seminar and cannot bring their own harp. Each student will have their own rental harp. Renters will be responsible for purchasing replacement strings as needed during the seminar.

Rental Harp Fee: $TBA
Rental Bench Fee: $40

Airport Shuttle

YAHS will be running an airport to John Glenn Columbus International Airport ONLY for students flying. Flights will need to be approved by a YAHS representative before booking to ensure it works with the shuttle schedule.

One-Way Shuttle Fee: $TBA
Round-Trip Shuttle Fee: $TBA

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: fifty percent of first half tuition is refundable; harp rental and shuttle fees are fully refundable.

Between May 1 and May 31: no refund of first half tuition; fifty percent refund on harp rental and shuttle fees; second half tuition is fully refundable.

After June 1: no refunds of any kind will be given.

    Application requirements

    In addition to the application form, there are a number of other things you need to submit to fully apply to Prep 2026. All of these can be found on this page.

    • application
    • pay $85 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, 2026. 

    Returning students only need to submit an application and pay the application fee unless you are applying for a scholarship. 

    Scholarships

    About YAHS Scholarships

    Prep is pleased to offer scholarship opportunities. 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, 2026. Scholarship recipients are required to participate fully in the Prep program—no exceptions for early or late arrival will be made. Scholarship recipients will be notified upon acceptance to the program if any money has been awarded.

    How to apply for a Prep scholarship

    To apply for a scholarship, use the Prep Scholarshiop Application below. Scholarship applicants must also submit a complete application to Prep, including application fee and teacher recommendation by the March 15 deadline. Only students who have applied to the program in full will be considered for a scholarship. The scholarship application requires: 

    Audition recording

    Submit a video recording of a solo demonstrating your current level of ability. Submissions can be unlisted Youtube links, sharable Google Drive/Dropbox links, or something similar.

    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 link the same as other recording submissions. Please include the following:

    1. Introduce yourself; name, age, and harp background.
    2. Tell us why you want to come to the Young Artist’s Harp Seminar’s Prep program.
    3. Tell us three things you love about playing the harp.
    4. Tell us how financial assistance in the form of a scholarship to Prep would be of value to your family.
    Prep FAQ

    What is Prep?

    Prep is an exciting harp focused one-week program offered alongside the Young Artist’s Harp Seminar. Prep is open to both lever and pedal harpists ages 8-17 offering an option for students who are not quite ready for the full two-week intensive experience of YAHS. 

    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 seminar 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 or counselors 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 program 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 program 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 2026 application

    Watch this space for 2026 application details, coming soon.

    Apply to Prep

    “[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! 

    Submit teacher recommendation

    Submit Prep application forms

    (These forms are for applying to the one-week Prep program. To apply or recommend a student for the two-week YAHS program, see this page.)

    Prep application form

    Begin application

    Contact Information

    The Young Artist's Harp Seminar will only use one email address for pertinent emails. Please choose an address that you will check frequently for important information and updates.
    Student cell phone numbers will be used for minimal texting for deadline alerts and communication during the seminar.
    This phone number will only be used for emergencies.
    This phone number will only be used for emergencies.

    About You

    What are your preferred pronouns?
    This year, to conserve practice room space, and ease harp moving to ensembles and classes, we will be using a new communal harp rental system. This means that students will not be assigned a rental instrument in a 1:1 fashion, rather each student will have access to a number of harps for practice and performance.
    Please note: If you are driving, you should plan to bring your own harp. Rental harps in our harp pool system are limited and priority is given to international students and others flying to Prep. We know that driving with a harp can be difficult, but everyone is in the same situation. If extra harps become available, we will offer them to drivers. Please check here if you are interested.
    If you intend on using the pool system, please just write that.

    Music Information and Background

    Please choose an option to describe your music reading skills. Be honest in your assessment as this will help us get to know you better.
    Read the information on the Apply to Prep page for more information about scholarship requirements.

    Pay Application Fee

    After you submit this form, you will be taken to a page to pay your application fee online securely using Paypal. All payments must be done online; do not send checks or money orders. Note: If you are not redirected, it means that your form was not properly submitted. Click the application form tab again to check for error messages.

    Prep teacher recommendation

    This form will become available on January 1, 2026.

    Prep Scholarship Application

    Begin my scholarship application
    Please submit your video essay here. Videos should be no longer than 2 minutes including the following information: 1) Introduce yourself; name, age and harp background 2) Tell us why you want to come to the PREP Division of the Young Artist's Harp Seminar. 3) Tell us three things you love about playing the harp. 4) Tell us how financial assistance in the form of a scholarship to YAHS would be of value to your family.

    Maximum file size: 134.22MB

    Please name your recorded submissions in the following format: namecomposertitle.mp3. Please upload a solo recording in audio format that demonstrates your current level of playing. It is not necessary to submit a professionally produced recording; home equipment is adequate.