About the 2008 Winners
The first Young Artist's Harp Competition held July 2–5, 2008 was a resounding success! Twenty-four harpists ranging in age from 11 to 19 came from as far away as Hong Kong, Taiwan, France, and all parts of the U.S. to compete for prizes totaling more than $4,000. We are pleased to introduce the following prize winners and their repertoire.
(Biography information current as of July, 2008.)
Brooke Rowland, First Prize, Emerging Artist (tie); Age 15, Portage, Mich. Absidioles, Andres
Brooke Rowland currently studies under Suzann Davids of Notre Dame University and Joan Holland from the Interlochen Center for the Arts. Brooke won a gold prize at the Elkhart County Symphony Orchestra’s 2008 concerto competition and performed the first movement of Handel’s Concerto in B-flat. She placed fourth nationally in the 2005 American Harp Society’s National Competition, junior division, in Los Angeles. Brooke won a Bravo! interview with WMUK and performed with other winning high-school students on the radio in 2008. She has played with the Kalamazoo College Community Orchestra (2007), Kalamazoo Junior Symphony (2006-2008), and Southwestern Michigan’s Community College Orchestra (2005). Brooke performs at the Kalamazoo Country Club, the Women’s Library Association, the Radisson, and for many church and community events. Brooke also loves to read, study, take voice lessons, play piano, and collect stuffed animals. A 15-year-old home-schooled triplet, Brooke takes classes full-time at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. |
Haley Rhodeside, First Prize, Emerging Artist (tie); Age 16, Merritt Island, Fla. Impromptu Caprice; Pierne
Haley A. Rhodeside was born in Abington, Pa. She began playing the harp at age 6 and currently studies with Jan Jennings in Orlando. Haley has performed as a guest harpist for the Stuttgart Student Orchestra, Space Coast Pops, Lynn University Orchestra, Indialantic Chamber Chorus, Brevard Children's Chorus, Brevard Early Music Ensemble, Brevard All-County Orchestra and Band, and Brevard Symphony Youth Orchestra. In 2007 Haley was a winner for the BSYO's Young Artist's Concerto Competition. Haley was a prizewinner in the American Harp Society's National Competition in 2005. She was a semi-finalist in the 2007 American String Teachers Association competition representing Florida. Haley will be a senior at Edgewood Junior/Senior High School where she is a National Merit Scholar finalist this year. Haley participates in cross-country, track, and chorus. She has 2 brothers, 3 cats and 2 dogs. Haley loves to read when she can, do crafts, jam with her brother, and visit friends. She resides in Merritt Island, Fl. |
Coline Jaget, Third Prize, Emerging Artist; Age 15, Nice, France Concerto in B-flat, first movement; Handel
I was born in Nice, France, on October the 4th, 1992. I have two young brothers who play music too (piano and drums). I play piano too for my pleasure, but I’d like to become a professional harpist and play in an orchestra. I’m actually in the fourth cycle au Conservatoire de Nice, with Michèle VUILLAUME as teacher. In Frebruary, 2004, I received the first médaille à l’unanimité dans le degré Moyen I in the UFAM’s competition (France). In March, 2005, I received the mark 18/20 in Salvi’s competition, in Cannes (France). In June, 2006, I passed an exam in Nice’s CRR (Conservatoire de Nice) with a first mention à l’unanimité avec les félicitations du Jury (France). In July, 2007, I entered the Cardiff European Junior Harp Competition, Stage 1 and 2. In November, 2007, I received the third prize in the Nice International Junior competition (France). |
Natalie Hoffmann, Bax "Valse" Prize; Impromptu Caprice; Pierne
Natalie Hoffmann began her harp study at age 6 with Jude Mollenhauer in Columbus, Ohio. She immediately displayed exceptional talent and was soon asked to perform for prestigious events city-wide, including performances for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and The Ohio Supreme Court. Natalie has been featured on Suzuki programs in Snowmass, Colorado, and Quebec, Canada. In 2003, Natalie also began studying with Judy Loman in Toronto Canada. She received third place in the 2007 AHS National Competition held in Chicago, Ill. Recently, she performed the Debussy Danses and the Handel Concerto with local orchestras in Columbus. Natalie is a member of the Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestra and is completing her seventh year of piano study. Natalie is 15 years old and is a ninth grade honor student. She enjoys fishing, hiking, horseback riding and hanging out with friends. |
Chia-Chi Chiang, First Prize, New Artist; Age 13, Taipei, Taiwan Valse in E-flat; Durand
Chia-Chi (Jackie) Chiang is 13 years old and has studied harp and piano since 4. She has studied harp with Yi Yin in New Zealand since 1998, and with Menglu Chiu in Taiwan since 2004. She also had private lessons with Sebastien Lipman, the harp professor of Queensland Conservatorium, and with Han-an Liu, the harp professor of Music Conservatorium in Cologne in Germany. Jackie also competed with success in many competitions. In 2008, she won the first prize in a national Culture Cup Harp Competition, as well as the second prize in the National Harp Competition of Taiwan in 2005 and 2007. She was also a prize winner in the international Nippon Harp Competition, Jr. division Japan in 2006. |
Vivian Hsu, Second Prize, New Artist; Age 14, San Jose, Calif. Sonata in C-minor, first movement; Dussek
Vivian Hsu is 14 years old and started the harp when she was 8. She began the harp with Sonya Yu, and currently studies with Linda Wood Rollo. She has won second place in the Intermediate I Division of the 2007 American Harp Society (AHS) National Competition, fifth place in the Junior Division of the 2005 AHS National Competition, first place in Level 3 of the Inez Stafford Harp Competition by the AHS Bay Area Chapter in 2007, first place in Level 2 of Inez Stafford Harp Competition by the AHS Bay Area Chapter in 2005, and first place in Level 2 of Inez Stafford Harp Competition by the AHS Bay Area Chapter in 2004. Vivian will be performing in the Focus on Youth Program at the Tenth World Harp Congress in Amsterdam. Other than playing the harp, Vivian enjoys running and being outdoors. She has also played the flute for three years. |
Katherine Siochi, Third Prize, New Artist, Age 14, Iowa City, Iowa Sonata in C-minor, first movement; Dussek
Katherine began harp with Linda Wilson at age 9. In 2006 she placed first in the Cedar Rapids Symphony Guild Concerto competition; in 2007 she performed Debussy Danses Sacree et Profane with the Iowa City Community Orchestra. She is a member of the Cedar Rapids Symphony School advanced harp ensemble and the Iowa City High School Orchestra. Her current teacher is Pam Weest-Carrasco. An accomplished pianist, Katherine won the Tennessee 2003 and Iowa 2006 State Music Teachers Association Auditions. She performed Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto no.1 in Sydney, Australia, in 2007. Giving to the community through performances at retirement homes and church is essential to Katherine. Church, Scottish Highland dance, travel, and graphic design are also pursuits she enjoys. Katherine is home-schooled, residing in Iowa City, Iowa with her parents, brother and Yorkie. As a 2006 and 2007 YAHS alumna, Katherine owes much to YAHS for developing her orchestral performance and ensemble skills. |