Young Artist's Harp Seminar and Competition

05/26/2026

We love hearing from our alumni! We're catching up with past participants to learn how YAHS shaped their journeys as harpists and musicians. 🪉

Matthew Gillespie attended YAHS for three years from 2016–2018. "YAHS was a transformative experience for me as a harpist," says Matt. The harp can often be a lonely instrument, and YAHS is so special because it brings together the best of the global harp community into one space where we can all learn and grow together. Collaborating with incredibly talented and driven harpists my age inspired me to pursue excellence and prepared me for the artistic rigor of college and beyond."

After attending YAHS, Matthew went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he earned a degree in music performance as a student of Laura Byrne Harpist.

Are you a YAHS alumni with news to share? DM us for a link to our alumni survey to let us know what you've been up to!

05/11/2026

We’re excited to introduce the new YAHS Parents’ Association this year! It’s a great way to support YAHS and Prep campers while connecting with other parents along the way. Whether you’ll be nearby during the seminar or cheering from afar, we’d love for you to get involved.

Alumni parents and friends of YAHS welcome too!

Drop us a DM or email [email protected] to find out how you can get involved.

03/30/2026

There are still a few spots left at YAHS this summer! Don't miss the opportunity to learn, perform, and connect with an inspiring community of harpists. Join us for an engaging and supportive experience designed to help you grow.

Spots are limited and filling quickly—reserve yours today!

See link in comments to apply now.

03/14/2026

The deadline to apply to this summer's YAHS and PREP programs is Sunday, March 15! Apply now to be sure your application is considered for our 25th season as we return to beautiful Kenyon College!

🪉Young Artist's Harp Seminar (YAHS)
• July 4–18
• Ages 12–26, pedal harp
• Audition required

🪉 Preparatory Program (PREP)
• July 7–14
• Ages 8–17, lever and pedal harp
• No audition required

Scholarship assistance is available for both programs, but we must receive your application by the deadline if you want to be considered for a scholarship.

Find more information on our website! (Link in comments)

03/09/2026

Wondering what makes YAHS stand out from all the summer program options out there? Here's what some of our students have to say:

“YAHS brought me a new found sense of musical creativity and freedom.” —LIliana

“The excitement of meeting new people and being exposed to diverse musical pieces and techniques has been incredible.” —Sydney

Join us this summer to experience all YAHS has to offer! See application details at the link in comments.

03/07/2026

Our faculty is passing the phone, and they'd love to pass it to YOU this summer! The March 15 application deadline for YAHS and PREP is fast approaching. Get your application in now and join us for a fantastic summer at Kenyon College!

Meet the faculty (in order of appearance!):

Mallory McHenry
Susan Brady
Hannah Cope Johnson
Jaymee Haefner
Eleanor Kirk
Kristi Shade
Kathryn Andrews

See comments for more info!

03/04/2026

Wondering what makes YAHS stand out from all the summer program options out there? Here's what recent guest artist Nancy Allen has to say:

"The Young Artist’s Harp Seminar filled my student Olivia with five outstanding summers of harp friends, experience and confidence. After each seminar I could hear and feel her musical growth gained from lessons, mock auditions and performances. The atmosphere at YAHS is nurturing and warm.

The atmosphere at YAHS is nurturing and warm. I highly recommend this opportunity for any young harpist wishing to improve technical and musical skills and their performance level while building a strong community of harpist friends and laughing a lot! YAHS will set “your” stage in a fantastic way!”

Join us this summer to experience all YAHS has to offer!

02/27/2026

So proud of YAHS alumna Anna Dunlap on her appointment to Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra!! 🎉🪉

The Kalamazoo (Michigan) Symphony Orchestra has appointed Anna Dunlap principal harp. “I am really looking forward to performing Mahler 3 in February and to the world premiere of a new violin concerto in March with my colleagues in the Kalamazoo Symphony,” Dunlap says.

Dunlap is also principal harp of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. She regularly performs as a member of New Downbeat, a collective dedicated to performing music by living composers. Dunlap earned her DMA from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Gillian Benet Sella.

Read more at the link in comments! 👇🏼

02/23/2026

What’s it like to attend a YAHS or PREP program? We’re glad you asked. Take a peek inside a typical day with us! Here's what you can expect:

THEORY TIME!
Whether you’re just learning your key signatures, brushing up on counting, or building complex chords, we’ll have a music theory class ready to test your skills!

LEARN FROM THE BEST!
Every YAHS and PREP summer brings the opportunity to work with a top guest artist in private lessons and masterclass settings. You’ll learn from the best the harp world has to offer!

TAKE THE STAGE!
Do you get pre-performance jitters? You’re not alone, but we’ve got you covered! Together, we’ll practice everything you need to know to stay calm when you walk onto the stage.

HAVE SOME FUN!
We always make time for a little fun at YAHS and PREP! Bike riding, picnicking, swimming, and ziplining, are just a few of the activities we may have in store for you in any given summer.

Want to join us this summer? Apply by March 15 at the link in comments!

02/16/2026

Wondering what it’s like to attend the YAHS program? We checked in with former attendee Leandra (Douds) Grund to find out how YAHS made an impact on her life.

"The Young Artist’s Harp Seminar has truly shaped who I am today," says Leandra. "While I’ve attended several of their locations, my favorite has been Kenyon College. The campus, located in a rural part of Ohio, offers a beautiful natural setting and a sense of peace that makes the experience even more special.

Most YAHS music-related events are held in the campus music building, which made the experience incredibly convenient and stress-free for me. The practice rooms and recital halls are excellent as they were well maintained, comfortable, and inspiring spaces that truly support learning and musical growth. I am so excited for YAHS to be back at Kenyon College!

I am a freelance harpist based in southeastern Connecticut. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Harp Performance from the Schwob School of Music and am currently pursuing my Master’s in Music Education at the University of Georgia. I have had the privilege of attending YAHS both as a student and as a counselor, with participation in 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2020–2023."

Find out more about the YAHS 2026 program at Kenyon College at the link in comments!