The 2023 Somerset Youth Harp Program
A specialty program tailored specifically to young harpers ages 8-17
We know there are plenty of music camps out there in the summer but we feel that our harp conference is a unique environment for the young player at a very reasonable cost. Register your child for a VIP ticket ($395 before May 1) and yourself as their Non-Harping Companion ($100). When you get our ticket confirmation email, reply and tell us to enroll your child in the Youth Harp Program. Easy! Keep reading to see how you and your child can be involved in the larger Somerset community.
Who Should Come
The youth harp program is open to lever and pedal harp players at all levels. Young harp players 8-17 years old will be brought together in a supportive environment to work on both group and individual playing skills. If you want to connect with other players your age and have a fun time learning new harp skills and playing with your new-found friends in a harp ensemble, this program is for you! The ages listed here are suggestions, not edicts. Really experienced younger players might fit in just as well. Any questions, just email Maureen for guidance.
We continue to build on the incredibly successful program we created in 2013
We offer a cozy, small program within our conference for young people to make friends and play harp together that is accessible, fun, and challenging.
opportunity to sample the full smorgasbord of other workshops that only Somerset offers.
We have the excitement of harp players coming from all over the country.
Rub shoulders with in an incredible diversity of harps and music
Get inspired at the daily concerts with some of the world’s top players
We welcome young students of all levels
Nia will lead students through classes and play-alongs
Parts will be created to suit different levels of experience (beginner, intermediate, and advanced).
10 Years and Growing
Somerset’s 2023 Director of the Youth Harp Program
We Welcome Alumna Nia Imani Pirece
This year we welcome Nia Imani Pierce as director of the 2023 Youth Harp Program. Nia is an alumna of Somerset’s Youth Harp Program when it was under the direction of Somerset’s own Robbin Gordon-Cartier.
Nia has a BA in Music Education with a focus on the harp and is currently studying for her Masters of Arts in Education at Columbia University. Nia is passionate about sharing her love of music with others and has worked as a music teacher in the East Orange School District. She directed the elementary music and harp program at Ecole Toussaint L’ouverture and she also mentors young harpists and musicians at her old high school and in other programs. We are so thrilled to have Nia back at Somerset as she gives back to the harp community that helped shape her into the person she is today.
Some of our 2017 youth group getting guidance on a tune
Get inspired by our amazing presenters at our daily concerts
Itinerary for the Youth Harp Program: What You'll Do
Registration: Parents should register their child for a VIP (Very In-Person) ticket which will give their child All-Access to all the content on the Somerset Member Area until October 31. Students are expected to attend all 4 days "live" on festival weekend, July 20-23. Because enrollment in this program is capped, the child must be registered in advance. All workshops will be recorded for later replay on Somerset Online.
Thursday Pre-YHP Extra (Optional) 1-2:30pm:
Get inspired before the meet and greet! Join Maeve Gilchrist’s Effortless technique I class. Sure to get you get you in the mood to create on your harp. Kickstart your practice regime with a bucketload of practice tips and concepts that will keep you going for years to come!
Thursday Meet & Greet 3-4:30pm:
This is an opportunity for the students to meet each other and connect with Nia who will use conversation, games, and song to facilitate this process. Course guidelines and expectations will be laid out. We're also suggesting that those who attend the Meet & Greet should take any of the 3pm workshops that follow directly.
Friday and Saturday
1st Workshop 9:30-11am learning tunes & songs on Friday and arranging and practicing repertoire on Saturday
Lunchtime until 1pm:
(1) The Youth Harp Ensemble will perform at the Lunchtime Concert
(2)Visit our real-time, in-person Exhibit Hall --yay-- and try out harps.
(2) Go to the Harp Tastings on Friday and Saturday. That's super-fun.
(3) Go to the lunchtime concert & have lunch.
2nd Workshop 1-2:30pm: learning tunes & songs with Nia
3rd Workshop 3-4:30pm: your choice of any of the Somerset workshops. Check the daily schedules to see what's available in this time slot. You can also start taking any of the 50+ video workshops you have access to. Even if you don't finish the workshop, you can come back to it later!
Dinner Break: That's on your own!
Concert: 7:00pm concert tickets are included in your registration.
Special Events after the concert: we have regular scheduled special events after the concert which are open to all festival registrants. Additionally, youth harp program participants might want to organize their own harp circles or other get-togethers in this time-slot. Sometimes at this point in the day, bedtime understandably beckons!
Sunday:
Morning Workshop 9:30-11am: you'll have a chat session in this final workshop of the weekend.
Sunday concert at noon: tickets to all concerts are included in your registration.
Questions? Need more information? Call or email Maureen Buscareno at 201-304-7628.
Cost & Registration
Youth Harp Program at Somerset: No added cost for this program. Students must be accompanied by an adult. Pricing is $495 per student + $100 for Guardian). We are capping enrollment in this program so the child must be registered in advance.
Questions? Need more information?
Call or email Maureen Buscareno at 201-304-7628.
