Chapter Events 2022









Chapter Events 2020-2021
In 2021, Session I took place virtually, via video submission, due to pandemic restrictions. 23 Harpists of all levels participated in the virtual format in 2020, and we were thrilled to have 26 harpists participate in 2021. The Session II recital was held online on March 21 via Zoom and was attended by more than 50 listeners. Cost to participate is $40 for SVCAHS members and $50 for non-members, which includes your student membership.
The 2021 adjudicator was the very accomplished Dr. Kimberly Houser Taylor.
Attendees enjoyed a special workshop with Paul Hurst on Arranging and Improvising for the Harp. The event was hosted on Zoom on Sunday, April 25, at 3:00 pm. All SVCAHS and BACAHS members were invited to attend. A recording of the workshop can be made available to members who missed this wonderful event.
Paul Hurst, http://www.harpmusic.com, has played piano professionally since age 17, and shortly after, also developed a passion for the harp. He has decades of high level performance and composing/arranging experience on both instruments, including performing with many music legends in Las Vegas, and performing internationally. Paul's full bio can be found here.
The SVCAHS hosted a Holiday Play-along on Zoom on Saturday, December 4, 2021. We had an assortment of harp ensemble music for members to play along with from the comfort of their own homes. Ensemble music was accessible to various skill levels, and there were also a few holiday performance videos by chapter members, as well as time to chat with friends.
Chapter Events 2018-2019

Members of the Silicon Valley Chapter, along with the Silicon Valley Youth Harp Ensemble presented the second annual Harp Extravaganza concert. This year, the more than 20 participating harpists, performed in a public concert at Christ Episcopal Church in Los Altos on November 10, and a week later, repeated the performance for a packed audience at The Villages in San Jose.
Chapter Events 2017-2018
The Silicon Valley Chapter of the AHS is a proud co-sponsor of the US International Music Competition at Stanford University. Harp is included in the competition in even years and was held August 18-19, 2018. See www.usimc.org for more details. This year's competition included both pedal harp and Celtic harp divisions for harpists up to age 30. The competition is sponsored by the US International Music Foundation and the Chinese String Teachers Association of Northern California.
There was a Winners Concert on August 26, 2018 in Palo Alto. Many of our chapter members competed and won prizes in the competition. A complete list can be found on our Honors and Awards page.
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Our own Silicon Valley Youth Harp Ensemble presented a forty-five minute concert at the American Harp Society National Conference in June, 2018 at University of Redlands in southern California.
In addition to our Youth Ensemble, our chapter was represented by a number of other performers at the National Conference. Dominique Piana gave a presentation/performance on the harp music and contributions of Alfred Kastner and Kajetan Attl to the harp world. Paul Hurst gave an hour-long tribute to DeWayne Fulton. The San Jose Youth Symphony Harp Ensemble, directed by Kristal Barlaan, performed pre-concert music before the Concerto Competition. Many other non-performing chapter members attended the conference.
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*THIS PRESENTATION WAS RECORDED AND THE COMPLETE VIDEO CAN BE VIEWED ON OUR SVCAHS Youtube CHANNEL*
If you have questions about applying for college as a music major, want to know options for using your harp talent while in college in a different major, or want to know how to parlay your (hidden) talent on the harp into public performance, this is the event for you. Our distinguished panel includes:
Douglas Rioth, San Francisco Symphony Principal Harp, San Francisco Conservatory of Music faculty, SF Symphony Youth Orchestra harp coach
Ann Yeung, Professor of Harp, University of Illinois (biography)
Linda Wood Rollo, renowned harp instructor with many students who have become professional harpists (biography)
Jennifer Ellis, D.M.A. University of Michigan, M.M. Cleveland Institute of Music, B.M. Oberlin - dynamic Bay Area harpist (biography)
Denise Olson, K-12 educator and Juilliard harp parent (biography)
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Ann Yeung, Professor of Harp at the University of Illinois, held a master class for harpists at the home of Linda Rollo in San Jose. Auditors and those seeking private lessons were welcomed.
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Participating students each performed for Ms. Taffin on February 11 and received verbal and written feedback about how to improve their performances.
On Saturday afternoon, March 10, 2018, the students performed a polished version of their pieces in a recital setting at Christ Episcopal Church in Los Altos, CA.
Jacqueline Trager and Gwen Halterman provided a lavish buffet reception for the performers and guests following the recital. Elegant food, multiple bouquets of flowers, roses for the participants and a congratulatory cake were included. Thanks so much to Jacqueline and Gwen for their hospitality, to Lynn Taffin for her time and expertise, and especially to Sonya You for organizing the entire event!
About Lynn Taffin: Lynn graduated summa cum laude from Boston University with Lucile Lawrence and earned her master's degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music with Marcella DeCray. Her studies in Paris with Mari-Claire James were granted by a prestigious Rotary Ambassadorial scholarship. She studied at the Salzedo School under Alice Chalifoux and began studies with a protege of Marcel Grandjany.
SES is an annually recurring event usually held in February and March. Online registration for the 2019 sessions will be available in January on the SES website at http://studenteducationsessions.weebly.com. Email for more information: harpedusvcahs@gmail.com.
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Members of the Silicon Valley Chapter of the American Harp Society once again presented a Harp Ensemble Concert, in collaboration with the Silicon Valley Youth Harp Ensemble on Saturday, November 18, 2017. The concert took place at the Cribari Auditorium at The Villages in San Jose. The auditorium was packed and the audience was very enthusiastic. The ensembles have been invited to perform again in this venue in the future.
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Chapter Events 2016-2017
We had the wonderful opportunity to hear Naoko Yoshino in concert this summer. She performed the Debussy Danses and other chamber works for the harp in the Musical Days Festival at Forest Hill, San Francisco from July 26-29, 2017.
Ms. Yoshino began harp studies with Susann McDonald at age 6 and later won First Prize at the 9th International Harp Contest in Israel. She has 5 album releases on Sony Classical and has performed extensively throughout the world as a soloist with some of the world's most famous orchestras as well as in solo recitals.
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On Sunday, June 11, 2017, Katherine Siochi, AHS Concert Artist for 2015-2017 gave a Recital and Master Class. Katherine is the 2016 Gold Medalist of the 10th USA International Harp Competition, one of the world's most prestigious harp contests, and is only the second American to win the prize since the competition's inaugural year in 1989. Katherine has also received many awards in national harp competitions. As AHS Concert Artist, Ms. Siochi is presenting recitals and master classes over 20 cities across the US. Her performances have been featured on NPR's radio program, "From The Top", on New York Public Radio for WQXR's "Young Artist Showcase", and on "Performance Today".
Both events were held at Congregation Beth Shalom in San Francisco.
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Susann McDonald Events, February 2017
Susann McDonald, renowned harpist, recording artist, and teacher, came to the Bay Area for three spectacular events from February 25-28, 2017. Many talented harpists attended Master Classes and a lunch discussion with this trailblazing artist who has elevated the harp and inspired harp students around the world through a performing and teaching career that spans more than five decades.
The weekend included a Master Class in San Jose on February 25, a Master Class in San Francisco on February 26, and a "Recharging Your Passion" luncheon on February 28. The Luncheon and discussion with Ms McDonald and Linda Wood Rollo was given for teachers and adult students, and took place at the home of Linda Rollo.
In total, there were 24 participants and 70 auditors at the two Master Classes, with some harpists having traveled a long distance to attend. Over twenty professional harpists and teachers attended the luncheon, which featured questions and answers, as well as inspiring conversations.
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at the Los Gatos home of Jennifer Hurley. The event featured a very entertaining and informative program on A Harpist's Tips For Success, given by Karen Gottlieb and Laura Simpson.
Barbecue and other refreshments were provided by the SVCAHS board, and swimming was available for children.
Thanks to everyone who came and made this another enjoyable and successful gathering of our harp community. Special Thanks to Karen and Laura for their outstanding program and performance.
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Harp Live!
Most Recent Harp Live Gatherings:
Sunday, April 3, 2016
in the beautiful Moss Beach home of Gwen Halterman, overlooking the ocean.
Held jointly with our friends from the Bay Area Chapter of the AHS
Sunday, March 13, 2016
Second Annual St. Patrick's Day Harp Live
CB Hannegan's Irish Pub, Los Gatos
Sunday, February 21, 2016
at the Los Gatos home of Jennifer Hurley
What is Harp Live?
Harp Live!, formerly called "Performance Practice", is a quarterly gathering where chapter members are invited to bring their favorite pieces to share or play for the group. Sessions include solos, harp duets, and/or chamber ensemble pieces. All are welcome to bring music they are working on, or just come to listen and enjoy the company of other harpists. Remember, you do not have to perform; you can participate by coming to hear others play. You will always hear or learn something new. Most participants give a history of the piece or the composer, how they found the piece, or why they enjoy playing it. And, if you do play, it does not have to be a polished performance! Wonderful refreshments are served and hairs are provided. It is a great time to rekindle your harp spirit.
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