Harp Department
Harp Department - Core Philosophy
I believe that a wonderful, considerate teacher can impact and influence many aspects of a student’s life in positive ways, and also can play an important role in their life. I want to be more than just a harp teacher. Apart from teaching a student how to play the harp, I also want to teach them how to live, and think as a musician, and contribute to the beauty of the overall harp sound.
Harp Department Chair - Dr. Chaerin Kim
Internationally acclaimed harpist Chaerin Kim began harp studies at the age of 18 after studying cello, violin, singing and piano. She received her bachelors degree from Ewha University in Seoul, graduating with highest honors, and performing the Pierne Concerto with the Ewha University symphony as the winner of the soloist competition just two years after she started to play the harp.
Studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London brought her much success, winning the “Julia Leney Harp Prize” (2002), the“Foundation Award” (2002), the “M. A. Garrett Award” (2004), and she became the recipient of a diploma for musical skills from the international harp competition in Russia as winner of the best performance of Russian music (2005). Consequently, Ms. Kim performed live on national radio and television in Russia and Korea. After graduating with distinction at Royal Academy of Music, she began her Masters degree at Yale and performed at Carnegie Hall with Russian Philharmonic. Dr. Kim was the recipient of the “CFA award” with a full scholarship for her Doctorate at Boston University.
Dr. Kim received her doctorate receiving the departmental honors award. She was the Quickest Recipient of Doctorate in the history of Boston University Music Department. She has given numerous performances as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestra harpist, in Korea, Switzerland, England, France, Wales, Russia, and the United States of America, in venues such as Jordan Hall, Symphony Hall, Tanglewood Music Center, and Carnegie Hall. In 2007, she premiered a harp concerto written for her by composer Ivana Lisak. Dr. Kim also composes and conducts.
For more information about Dr. Kim: www.chaerinkim.com
Instrument Instruction
Private Lessons
Students may start harp lessons as early as age 7. Younger students are encouraged to first begin piano lessons before transitioning to harp. At the end of each 17-week semester, private lesson students receive a full evaluation from their teacher to keep the student and the parent apprised of the student’s progress. Private and semi-private lessons are offered at 30 minute,
45 minute, and 60 minute lengths. Group instruction (for three or more students) is 60 minutes in length. Click here for complete pricing.
Our lesson prices are based on two 17-week semesters. Students choosing to pay for a full year receive 34 lessons at the 32-week price.
| Private Lesson Rates: | ||
| 17 weeks | 34 weeks (if paid in full by 9/11/09) | |
| 30 minutes | $714 | $1344 |
| 45 minutes | $986 | $1856 |
| 60 minutes | $1258 | $2368 |
PLEASE NOTE: Paying tuitions online with PayPal does not register you for programs and lessons. Click here to submit an online registration request or contact our Registrar to complete the registration process.
Harp Department - Class Offerings
Basic Musicianship
Vartan Aghababian, Edwina Li, Margaret Li
Basic Musicianship is offered to all private lesson students to supplement their music literacy. These one hour classes review and teach basic elements of music such as keys and key signatures, time signatures, rhythms in various meters, form and basic solfege. Offered at various times during the week to accommodate student’s varying schedules. 12 weeks
All classes are 60 minutes
Hingham: Monday: 5:30, (7:00-adult), Wednesday: 2:30, 3:00,
Thursday: 3:00, 4:00, 5:30, 6:00, (7:00-adult)
Duxbury: Monday: 6:30, 7:15, 5:15, 6:45, (7:45-adult)
Be sure to let the registrar know at which time and location you wish to register.
Duxbury Registrar
(781) 934-2731 x10
Hingham Registrar
(781) 749-7565 x12
Spring Semester - $50 (classes sarts the week of March 15)
| Hingham | Duxbury |
South Shore Conservatory Harp Ensemble
Ensemble Leader: Head of the Harp Department, Dr. Chaerin Kim
South Shore Conservatory Harp Ensemble is comprised of Conservatory students who are selected in their levels and perform regularly. The Ensemble class meets once a week.
Ensemble work is good to introduce as early as possible, because it is fun and interesting, and improves all aspects of musicianship, such as listening, counting, watching and keeping in the right place. There are skills that need to be in place before a student starts playing in an orchestra. For example, some students won’t realize that they have to allow wind and brass players time to breathe! I want them to get used to this aspect of playing as soon as possible.
SSC Harp Ensemble gives students a chance to play duets, and in trios, quartets and quintets. Exams and Competitions: This is always a controversial subject but I believe they can be useful teaching aid. They mean that a student has to perform, and this is always useful, and their playing will be commented on by someone different to their regular teacher. It is good because it can get a bit too cosy, just playing for their regular teacher, and it introduces an extra challenge. I find they create a useful goal, and push students to reach a higher level. Some students bring more productive result when they play with competitive pressure, but some do not. Therefore, the decisions will be made up depending on students.
Sight Reading is included because it improves the extent of student’s knowledge of keys and rhythms. Students are required to know their own best pedal setting and marking, and not depend on the teacher’s markings.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available for private lessons for children whose families can document financial need. Application forms are available in the office and as a downloadable Word Document and must be filled out and returned prior to the first week of the semester. All applications will be considered by the Scholarship Committee, which meets before each semester to grant assistance. Recipients of scholarship aid must reapply each semester.
South Shore Conservatory admits students of any race, color, nationality, and ethnic origin to all rights and privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.