Colorado Harp Seminar

Seminar Dates/Location:

June 14-20, 2026
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, Colorado

Showcase Concert:

June 20, 2026, 2:30 p.m.
Griffin Concert Hall, University Center for the Arts (UCA)
Note: This concert is FREE and open to the public.

Cost:

$1,585 for tuition, room, and board; accommodations are a private air-conditioned dormitory room with a private bathroom.

Application and Registration Deadlines:

Application Deadline: April 1, 2026

Applications and auditions will be accepted on a rolling basis. Space is limited, so students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications may be accepted after April 1, 2026, only if space is available.

Registration Deadline: May 26, 2026

Download 2026 Colorado Harp Seminar Poster (PDF)

Contact

Kathryn Harms

Instructor of Music, Harp

Kathryn.Harms@colostate.edu

2025 Colorado Harp Seminar Photos

2024 Colorado Harp Seminar Photos

Welcome to the Colorado Harp Seminar

The Colorado Harp Seminar is a weeklong immersive opportunity for high school and undergraduate pedal harpists, with a distinct focus on musician wellness. Directed by faculty member Kathryn Harms at Colorado State University, the seminar is designed to support, inspire, and nurture both excellent musicianship and personal growth. Students receive private lessons and participate in harp ensemble, masterclasses, and interactive workshops throughout the week.

2026 Workshop Topics:

Music Preparation: What Qualifies as “Good Enough”?
Freelance 101: Thriving as an Artist and Entrepreneur
Claim Your Space: Bringing Presence, Authenticity, and Poise to Any Stage
Bonus Workshop (optional): Introduction to Body Mapping

Beyond music, participants are guided in morning movement explorations, stretching, and breathing exercises. They also have the opportunity to explore campus attractions such as CSU’s beautiful Flower Trial Gardens and the Gregory Allicar Museum of Art. Participants reside on campus in private, air-conditioned dormitory rooms with individual bathrooms. Meals are enjoyed together, and evening activities offer time to relax, recharge, and connect with peers.

All musical activities are held at the beautiful University Center for the Arts, and the week culminates in a showcase concert featuring solo and ensemble works in the state-of-the-art Griffin Concert Hall.

The schedule for each year is finalized based on student enrollment and available campus activities. Please refer to the sample schedule below, noting that details are subject to change.

Sample Schedule

Sunday
4 p.m.: Check-in begins

Harp drop-off at the University Center for the Arts
Student move-in to dorms

5:30-6:30 p.m.: Dinner
7-9 p.m.: Meet and Greet Activities

Monday
8-8:40 a.m.: Breakfast
9-10 a.m.: Stretching and Breathing
10-10:30 a.m.: Orientation
10:30-11:30 a.m.: Harp Ensemble
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Solo Masterclass
12:30-1:30 p.m.: Lunch
2-3 p.m.: Solo Masterclass cont.
3-5 p.m.: Lessons and Practice
5:30-6:30 p.m.: Dinner
7-9 p.m.: Social Activities

Tuesday
8-8:40 a.m.: Breakfast
9-10 a.m.: Stretching and Breathing
10-11 a.m.: Harp Ensemble
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.: Solo Masterclass cont.
12:30-1:30 p.m.: Lunch
2-3 p.m.: Solo Masterclass cont.
3-5 p.m.: Lessons and Practice
5:30-6:30 p.m.: Dinner
7-9 p.m.: Game Night

Wednesday
8-8:40 a.m.: Breakfast
9-10 a.m.: Stretching and Breathing
10-11 a.m.: Harp Ensemble
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.: Lessons and Practice
12:30-1:30 p.m.: Lunch
2-3 p.m.: Lessons and Practice
3-4 p.m.: Workshop A
4-5 p.m.: Museum Visit
5:30-6:30 p.m.: Dinner
7-9 p.m.: Practice

Thursday
8-8:40 a.m.: Breakfast
9-10 a.m.: Stretching and Breathing
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.: Lessons and Practice
12:30-1:30 p.m.: Lunch
2-3 p.m.: Workshop B
3-4 p.m.: Guided Group Activities
4-5 p.m.: Harp Ensemble
5:30-6:30 p.m.: Dinner
7-9 p.m.: Social Activities

Friday
8-8:40 a.m.: Breakfast
9-10 a.m.: Stretching and Breathing
10-11a.m.: Workshop C
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.: Lessons and Practice
12:30-1:30 p.m.: Lunch
2-5 p.m.: Showcase Concert Rehearsal
5:30-6:30 p.m.: Dinner
7-9 p.m.: Preliminary Dorm Clean-up/Organizing

Saturday
8-8:40 a.m.: Breakfast
9-10 a.m.: Stretching and Breathing
10-12 p.m.: Showcase Concert Dress Rehearsal
12:30-1:30 p.m.: Lunch
1:30-2:30 p.m.: Showcase Concert Prep
2:30 p.m.: Showcase Concert

Each Colorado Harp Seminar offers a unique experience. Every year features new harp ensemble repertoire and workshops. See examples of previous workshop topics below. Many students return for both familiar and new opportunities!

2025 Workshops:
Cultivating Confidence
Dimensions of Wellness + Comfort and Growth Zones
Enjoying your Performance

2024 Workshops:
Efficient Practice
The Power of a Harpist's Self-Talk
String Changing and Harp Maintenance

Application and Audition

To apply for the Colorado Harp Seminar, please fill out the simple and free application below and follow the instructions to submit an audition.

Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Student Name*
First Last
Preferred First Name
Pronouns
Birthdate*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code
Email*
Phone number*
High School Graduation Year (Expected or Completed)*
Name of student's current / past high school*
If attending a college / university, please provide the name:
Harp teacher's name
Harp teacher's phone number
Harp teacher's email address
May we contact your harp teacher as a reference?
- Yes
- No
Will you be able to provide your own pedal harp?
- Yes
- No
Complete the following if you are under 18
Parent or Guardian Name
First Last
Parent or Guardian Email
Parent or Guardian Phone number

Audition Instructions

Students who attended the 2024 or 2025 Colorado Harp Seminars are not required to submit an audition for 2026. They must still complete the application above to apply. Those who wish to demonstrate their progress (taken into consideration for harp ensemble part assignments) are welcome to submit a partial or full audition!

Video recording of two contrasting solos:

Memorization is not required
The video frame should include students’ hands and face
A standard orchestral excerpt may be substituted for a solo
Recordings must be made within the last 12 months
Recordings may be from live performances or casual settings

This is a non-competitive application and audition that is required primarily for part assignments in the harp ensemble. Please submit audition recordings to Kathryn Harms. Applicants may send a link to an unlisted YouTube video or other video storage if the files are too large to send as an email attachment. If there are any questions about the audition requirements or submission process, please contact Kathryn Harms at kathryn.harms@colostate.edu

Once your application and audition have been received, reviewed, and accepted, you will be provided a registration link. This link will enable you to pay tuition and reserve your spot in the program.