Richmond Summer Harp Institute 2026
In its 30 year history, the GreenSpring Summer Harp Institutes have provided training to hundreds of talented harpists from across the United States and around the globe. From the novice to the advanced student, harpists focus on individual goals and musicianship classes in a supportive and inspiring musical environment. In addition, they receive one-on-one lessons with our distinguished faculty. Special seminar topics and fun social activities keep students engaged while also piquing their musical interests. We know students are thrilled with our course offerings as 90% of our students have returned year after year!
2026 DATES AND INFORMATION
Richmond Summer Harp Institute
Week 1: July 6 - 10, 2026 - Harp Ensemble
Week 2: July 13 - 17, 2026 - Chamber Music
Richmond, Virginia
Open to Ages 8-18
Harpists may attend one week or both for maximum benefit!
Applications due May 1, 2026
Applications received are that date will be received on a case-by-case basis
The Ultimate Summer Harp Experience!
Summer is the perfect time to be inspired by world-class faculty, grow as a harpist and concentrate on your artistic development! Our Summer Harp Institute includes two tracks: intermediate (open to all) and advanced (audition only).
The Richmond Summer Harp Institute Includes:
Private harp lessons affording you ample opportunity to work with our world-class faculty!
Private lessons with guest artists available by request. Inquire for information and availability
Ensemble and performance opportunities
Harps available for use at in-person Institutes
Your choice of academic electives- Music History, Composition and Arranging, Music Theory and Aural Skills, Arts Management, and more
30 Minutes to Transformation guided practice
Your choice of workshops- Audition and Competition Panel, Wellness for Musicians, World Music and Rhythm Workshop, The Orchestral Harpist, Career Seminar, Practice Like a Pro!, Introduction to Improvisation, Conducting, Yoga and Stretching for Harpists, and more!
Fun social activities, and more!
*The above is a Full Day Schedule, the Half Day option includes the private lesson, ensembles, and workshops
New to the harp? Consider attending our Richmond Summer Beginner Half-Day Harp Institute!
Harpists with prior experience may also attend the Maryland Summer Harp Institute, Richmond Conservatory Preparatory Program, and/or Richmond Summer Chamber Music!
2026 Guest Artists
Claire Jones - Former Royal Harpist
Born in Pembrokeshire, Wales in 1985, Claire began her musical education at the age of seven. After excelling at the violin, piano and harp, she graduated as a harpist from the Royal College of Music with First Class Honours in 2007 and in 2009 graduated as an M.A. scholar from the Royal Academy of Music. Claire Jones was one of the first recipients of the Prince of Wales Advanced Study Awards in 2007 and 2008. This award recognised her as one of Wales' most outstanding young talents. In 2007, Claire was appointed Official Harpist to His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, a role she held until 2011, making her the longest serving Royal harpist to date. During this appointment, Claire regularly performed for the Royal Family and their distinguished guests at the Royal Palaces. In April 2011 she performed for the newly married Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at their wedding reception in Buckingham Palace. In 2008, Claire made her concerto debut with the Philharmonia Orchestra, and since then has gone on to perform as a soloist with some of the World's leading orchestras. Claire is passionate about promoting her instrument as well as performing, and regularly visits schools and communities to speak and demonstrate and is the director of the International Harp School based in Wales. This year will be the third year of the partnership between Summer Harp Institutes based in Richmond, VA with the International Harp School in Wales.
Alison Read
Alison Read, harpist, has maintained an active performing and teaching schedule
around her native Dallas for over two decades. Most recently, she was appointed
Lecturer in Harp at both the University of Texas at Arlington (2023) and the University of Texas at Dallas (2022), where she established both new harp programs. Previously,
she founded and directed the harp program at Stephen F. Austin State University
(Nacogdoches, TX) where she taught 1999-2007. She has also led the harp programs
for all of Garland Independent School District (Dallas metro area) since 2008. She has
been an adjudicator and host for the Dallas Chapter of the American Harp Society and a guest clinician for the GreenSpring International Academy of Music.
As an orchestral harpist, Alison is Principal Harpist with both the Abilene Philharmonic
and Abilene Opera. She has performed as a featured soloist with the Abilene
Philharmonic, the Las Colinas, Garland, and Arlington Symphonies, as well as with the
Varna Philharmonic in Varna, Bulgaria. In addition to her orchestral and chamber music performances, Alison regularly performs outreach concerts in schools, hospitals, and retirement communities for Texas Winds Musical Outreach. She has been an Artist-in-Residence for Baylor, Scott, & White Hospitals since 2016. During the summer, she performs as Principal Harpist of the Utah Festival Opera (Logan, UT).
An advocate of new music, she has been one half of several duos that commissioned
new chamber works for harp. In October 2017, she was honored to give world
premieres performances in both Oxford and London of several new works which were
written for her.
Alison received her Bachelor of Music from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music (Oberlin, OH), where she studied with renowned harpist, Alice Chalifoux. She completed her Master of Music at Southern Methodist University (Dallas, TX), where she studied with Susan Pejovich.
Past guest artists include:
Jacquelyn Bartlett, Grace Cloutier, Mindy Cutcher, Grainne Hambly, Abigail Kent,
Joan Raeburn Holland, Janet Witman, and many more!
Location
The Richmond Summer Harp Institute is located in historic Richmond, Virginia. Spend your summer exploring the historic downtown, learning exciting repertoire, and making new friends!
Daily Schedule
Monday-Friday:
Half Day: 12:30 pm - 4:00 pm EST
Full Day: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm EST
Tuition & Application
Full Day - $1,050
Half Day - $525
Room & Board (optional) - $450
Scholarships considered upon request.
An advance deposit of $200 will be collected upon registration in order to reserve your place.
Application Fee - $25
Audition requirements:
The Richmond Summer Harp Institute offers two tracks - intermediate and advanced.
Harpists interested in the advanced track are required to audition. Harpists for the intermediate track are asked to submit a reference recording.
Auditioners should provide a YouTube, Google Drive, or other accessible link showcasing the following two requirements:
One fast, technical étude or movement from performance repertoire
One slow, lyrical étude or movement from performance repertoire
There is no expected time limit for an audition - only that the two pieces show a broad range of musical experience.
For the intermediate track, harpists are asked to submit a playing sample of one piece best demonstrates their current level and ability.
Harpists may also attend the Maryland Summer Harp Institute, Richmond Conservatory Preparatory Program, and Richmond Summer Chamber Music for maximum benefit!
We hope to see you this summer!
What Students Are Saying
“A motivating, inspirational and life-changing experience [and] a musician’s dream come true.”