Purpose:
Student Education Sessions are a two-part program for all levels of harp students. It is part of the Music Education Programs of the American Harp Society. The focus is on the improvement that can be made by participating in both sessions. On the first day, participants will play two selections of music representing differing styles (if possible) and receive constructive comments and suggestion from the adjudicator. A theory worksheet guideline will also be given to each student to take home and be completed with the assistance of the teacher. The worksheet must be returned in the second session in order for the student to receive the final certificate. In second session, participants show their improvement by playing the same two pieces of music in a recital setting. Participants who attend both sessions will receive a handsome "Certificate of Participation" from the American Harp Society.
Student Education Sessions are a two-part program for all levels of harp students. It is part of the Music Education Programs of the American Harp Society. The focus is on the improvement that can be made by participating in both sessions. On the first day, participants will play two selections of music representing differing styles (if possible) and receive constructive comments and suggestion from the adjudicator. A theory worksheet guideline will also be given to each student to take home and be completed with the assistance of the teacher. The worksheet must be returned in the second session in order for the student to receive the final certificate. In second session, participants show their improvement by playing the same two pieces of music in a recital setting. Participants who attend both sessions will receive a handsome "Certificate of Participation" from the American Harp Society.
Days & Time:
Due to the coronavirus pandemic at current time, the SVCAHS Board would like to assure you and your family's safety and well, the SES I has been modified to video session. Please note that there are two dates which should help you better prepared.
Online Registration deadline: 01/31/2021
Video submission deadline: 02/21/2021
2) Upload your videos to your YouTube channel, set the videos as "UNLISTED" if you don't want to share with public; one piece one clip/link.
3) On the video title and description, clearly mark the music's full title, including performer name and composer name.
4) Email the video link(s) to the program chair (harpedusvcahs@gmail.com) by 02/21/2021.
Email subject: 2021 SES-(student full name)
Due to the coronavirus pandemic at current time, the SVCAHS Board would like to assure you and your family's safety and well, the SES I has been modified to video session. Please note that there are two dates which should help you better prepared.
Online Registration deadline: 01/31/2021
Video submission deadline: 02/21/2021
- Session I : video session Requirement:
2) Upload your videos to your YouTube channel, set the videos as "UNLISTED" if you don't want to share with public; one piece one clip/link.
3) On the video title and description, clearly mark the music's full title, including performer name and composer name.
4) Email the video link(s) to the program chair (harpedusvcahs@gmail.com) by 02/21/2021.
Email subject: 2021 SES-(student full name)
- Session II: Virtual Recital via Zoom, Sunday afternoon, 03/21/2021
Fee: $40 for member, $50 for non-member pay online through PayPal or make checks payable to SVCAHS (memo: Student Education Sessions 2021) and mail to the Chairperson.
Please note: participating teachers and students must be current members of the Silicon Valley Chapter of the American Harp Society.
Student membership is $10 annually.
Student membership is $10 annually.
2021 Adjudicator: Dr. Kimberly Hoursr Taylor
Kimberly Houser Taylor started her musical studies on her mother’s knee at the piano. When asked what instrument she wanted to play, Kimberly chose the harp. She started her harp studies with beloved Portland, Oregon harp teacher, Marion Fouse. During her high school years, Kimberly started playing background music and joined the Portland Youth Philharmonic as their harpist. Kimberly was awarded Oregon Scholar and an Oregon State Solo Ensemble gold medal her senior year of high school.
A scholarship took Kimberly to the University of Arizona where she studied harp with Dr. Carrol McLaughlin; receiving her B.M., M.M., and D.M.A. under her tutelage. During her university years, Kimberly became a member of the harp ensemble HarpFusion with whom she toured internationally and recorded two CDs. Kimberly’s compositions and arrangements were often featured both on the CDs and in performance. Along with her harp studies, Kimberly pursued compositional study with Dr. Pamela Decker, organist and composer. Kimberly remained active as a freelance artist, worked on her skills with pop and jazz genres, won the President’s concerto contest, performed as soloist with the university’s orchestra, taught harp privately, and won the U of A’ s graduate creative achievement reward.
An appointment with the symphony in Billings, Montana took Kimberly away from the University of Arizona before she had completed her doctoral studies. She then spent three years playing with several orchestras throughout the region as well as teaching and freelancing while finishing her dissertation. Kimberly was featured as a soloist with several organizations throughout the region. Kimberly returned to Oregon in 2003 where she started teaching general music classes at Clark Community College in Vancouver, WA and recorded her first solo CD.
In 2006, Kimberly joined the faculty at Louisiana State University where she taught harp and general music courses for six years. She was featured as a soloist with several groups as well as formed a band called The Odyssey Project. Kimberly served as presenter at the New Orleans Jazz and Pop Harp Weekend and performed Jazz in New Orleans. She also played with several orchestras throughout the region.
Kimberly now lives in Salem, Oregon with her husband. She serves as an Artist Associate on the faculty at Willamette University. Her compositions are published and are available through Happy String Music. She is working on adding more likable, playable pieces to the harp literature at all levels of ability. Kimberly’s website and blog can be found at www.bellheatherraven.com where she writes about her creative life of music and slowing down and enjoying the little things. Her podcast “Harp on that String” is a series of conversations with other musicians about living a life with music.
A scholarship took Kimberly to the University of Arizona where she studied harp with Dr. Carrol McLaughlin; receiving her B.M., M.M., and D.M.A. under her tutelage. During her university years, Kimberly became a member of the harp ensemble HarpFusion with whom she toured internationally and recorded two CDs. Kimberly’s compositions and arrangements were often featured both on the CDs and in performance. Along with her harp studies, Kimberly pursued compositional study with Dr. Pamela Decker, organist and composer. Kimberly remained active as a freelance artist, worked on her skills with pop and jazz genres, won the President’s concerto contest, performed as soloist with the university’s orchestra, taught harp privately, and won the U of A’ s graduate creative achievement reward.
An appointment with the symphony in Billings, Montana took Kimberly away from the University of Arizona before she had completed her doctoral studies. She then spent three years playing with several orchestras throughout the region as well as teaching and freelancing while finishing her dissertation. Kimberly was featured as a soloist with several organizations throughout the region. Kimberly returned to Oregon in 2003 where she started teaching general music classes at Clark Community College in Vancouver, WA and recorded her first solo CD.
In 2006, Kimberly joined the faculty at Louisiana State University where she taught harp and general music courses for six years. She was featured as a soloist with several groups as well as formed a band called The Odyssey Project. Kimberly served as presenter at the New Orleans Jazz and Pop Harp Weekend and performed Jazz in New Orleans. She also played with several orchestras throughout the region.
Kimberly now lives in Salem, Oregon with her husband. She serves as an Artist Associate on the faculty at Willamette University. Her compositions are published and are available through Happy String Music. She is working on adding more likable, playable pieces to the harp literature at all levels of ability. Kimberly’s website and blog can be found at www.bellheatherraven.com where she writes about her creative life of music and slowing down and enjoying the little things. Her podcast “Harp on that String” is a series of conversations with other musicians about living a life with music.
Last update: Dec. 30, 2020
