2025 SUMMER SESSION
At POTASH HILL
Marlboro, Vermont
June 6 - 15, 2025
AHI’s 2025 Summer Session offers harpists an intensive training experience with Yolanda Kondonassis at Potash Hill, on the beautiful campus of Marlboro Music Festival, nestled in the Green Mountains of Vermont.
During the 10-day session, participants will receive multiple private lessons with Yolanda Kondonassis, as well as daily topic seminars and masterclasses. Social events, special activities, and meals with fellow harpists are part of the AHI experience. Local, farm-to-table cuisine is provided in the historic Marlboro Dining Hall, where musical legends have eaten and socialized for decades at the famous Marlboro Music Festival.
AHI’s summer session is that of an intensive retreat – for private lessons, practice, classes, reflection, bonding, and inspiration. Seminar Topics include: Practice Techniques, Performance Strategies, Audition Preparation, Body Care, Preventing Injury, Musical Development, Daily Technique Labs, and more.
All harpists are assigned a private room that serves as both personal space and practice space.
Because of the session’s focused attention, enrollment is limited and admission priority is based in part upon the order in which applications are received.
Age Range: 14 and Up (no upper age limit)
Students younger than 14 may be considered at the discretion of Ms. Kondonassis.
““Attending this Institute was honestly the best opportunity I’ve had as a harpist. Not only did I receive helpful instruction that fixed multiple issues with my technique, but I also had the chance to meet and socialize with other like-minded harpists. I found the perfect balance of diligent practice and having fun. I definitely recommend AHI to any harpist who wants to improve their musicianship and have a great time! ”
FULL SESSION
All-Inclusive Fee for June 6 - 15: $2,985
Includes all classes, seminars, workshops, multiple private lessons with Yolanda Kondonassis, 3 meals per day, dormitory housing, and all activities.
All participating harpists must opt into the dining and housing plan. Dietary restrictions will be accommodated. The chef at Potash Hill is very skilled at creating menus for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and restricted diets. Please indicate any special needs on your application form.
Accompanying parents of minors may share a room with their child if they choose (as space allows). Please indicate this request on your application form. It may be possible to provide parents with a separate private room. Requests will be accommodated in the order they are received.
Parent Room and Board: $1,100
HARPS
Harpists are strongly encouraged to bring their own harps if possible. A limited number of harps will be available for participants who are unable to bring their own instruments, and practice time on those instruments will be scheduled and shared. Harp rental fees will be determined by how many students must share a single harp. Shared rental harps will be available in studio spaces. Please note that harp rental cost is not included in the all-inclusive fee for those who do not bring their own instrument.
FOUR-DAY WEEKEND OPTION FOR HIGH SCHOOL HARPISTS
For those with a school or graduation conflict, this limited -space option offers an arrival on Wednesday, June 11 and departure on June 15. The session will include 2 private lessons with Yolanda Kondonassis, all classes (including College Audition Prep and Orchestral Excerpts), an optional private College Prep consultation, and all other weekend activities. If you are interested in this option, please apply normally and also send an email to: americanharpinstitute@gmail.com, detailing your interest in this weekend option. For this limited-space option, priority will be based on the order in which applications are received.
All-inclusive tuition/fee for the weekend option: (Private Lessons, Classes, Private College Consultation, Food, and Accommodations): $1,795
““I like to think that playing the harp involves mind, body, and soul. Potash Hill was an environment that I could engage all three in. Not only was I learning the intricacies and subtleties of playing the harp, but I found myself as a person there. I can’t name an experience where I had more time to just take a deep dive into playing the harp and to find myself as a musician. Besides all that, the food was pretty good too.””
SCHOLARSHIPS
AHI is able to offer a limited number of partial work-study scholarship awards (ranging from $200-$400) to this summer's session of The American Harp Institute at Potash Hill in Vermont. After submitting your application, please send a paragraph describing any special circumstances to americanharpinstitute@gmail.com. AHI scholarships will be awarded on the basis of audition videos, recommendations, level of need, and personal statements. Scholarships will only be available to harpists attending the full session.
APPLICATIONS
Early Bird Application Deadline: January 15, 2025 (Early Bird Application Fee: $40)
Regular Application Deadline: March 15, 2025 (Regular Application Fee: $60)
Acceptance Notifications: On or before April 1, 2025
In addition to your application, an audition video and one recommendation are required.
Audition Video Repertoire: 3-minute excerpts from two contrasting pieces that you feel represent your current musical and technical level of playing. Total playing time of video should be approximately 6-7 minutes. Please submit a single file/attachment or an unlisted YouTube link to: americanharpinstitute@gmail.com with the following SUBJECT LINE: AHI Application Video for [Your Name] In the same email, please list the titles and composers of the excerpts you are submitting.
Please have your recommender submit their recommendation to:
americanharpinstitute@gmail.comby March 15, 2025, with the following SUBJECT LINE: AHI Recommendation for [Your Name]
““One thing I liked very much about AHI is its holistic approach. My daughter felt fully engaged musically and intellectually, and the first meeting on minimizing screen time and avoiding comparisons with other harpists set that tone, enabling students to reset. The timing of AHI could not land at a better time . . . and the location and accommodations at Potash Hill were wonderful.” ”
TRAVEL
By Air:
The closest major airports are Boston, MA and Hartford, CT. Information on convenient airport transit companies will be provided with enrollment information. AHI is unable to provide transportation for airport arrivals and departures.
By Car:
Marlboro, Vermont is . . .
Approx. 9 miles from Brattleboro, Vermont
Approx. 125 miles from Boston, MA
Approx. 95 miles from Hartford, CT
Approx. 60 miles from Tanglewood, MA and The Berkshires
Approx. 215 miles from New York City
Approx. 70 miles from Albany, NY
Approx. 160 miles from Burlington, VT
Approx. 180 miles from Portland , ME
