Toronto International
Summer Harp Institute 2026
An inspiring week of learning with 6 world-renowned harpists.
An unforgettable opportunity to refine your artistry.
Summer Institute Dates:
Registration Deadline:
Location:
July 6-10th, 2026
March 15th, 2026
All Nations Event Centre
(3300 Highway 7, Markham ON)
Enroll Early & Get a Free "Festival Weekend Pass" to
Enjoy all 4 Concerts, 3 Masterclasses & Exhibitions at iHarpFest (July 11 - 12th)
Early Bird Registration Deadline:
Jan 31st, 2026
About
Toronto International Harp Summer Institute 2026
The Summer Institute, preceding the Toronto International Harp Festival, will take place during July 6–10th, 2026, offering harp students an exceptional opportunity to study with world-renowned artists. Program is led by Catherine Michel of Paris, a distinguished authority on the French harp tradition, and Kathleen Bride, Professor Emerita at the Eastman School of Music.
2026 Faculty and guest artists include Sarah Bullen, Jana Boušková, Frances Duffy, and Andrew Chan. The Institute attracts students from around the world for inspiring, skill-building exchanges in a supportive, collaborative environment. In partnership with Harps on the Hill — Canada’s largest harp organization, recognized for producing students accepted into leading institutions such as Juilliard, Eastman, Peabody, Yale and others, the Toronto International Summer Institute promises a transformative artistic experience for aspiring harpists.
2026 Toronto Summer Institute Faculty
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Catherine Michel - International Sololist; Former Principal Harp, Paris Opera Orchestra.
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Kathleen Bride - Professor Emerita, Eastman School of Music.
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Jana Boušková - Principal Harp, Czech Philharmonic; Professor, Prague Academy of Performing Arts, and Royal College of Music.
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Sarah Bullen - Former Principal Harp, Chicago Symphony; Adjunct Professor of Harp, Jacobs School of Music, Indiana.
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Frances Duffy - Principal Harp, Wheeling & Allentown Symphonies; Member, American Ballet Theatre Orchestra.
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Andrew Chan - Artistic Director, Harps on the Hill & Toronto International Harp Festival.
Registration Details
Requirements:
Aged 8 or above
Program Fee:
CA $1,125 + HST
Playing Level:
All levels (Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced)
Lunch Option:
(Optional)
$13 + HST per day or $65 per week
Registration Process
01
Fill in the Registration Form below
02
Receive your Confirmation Email
03
Pay Program Fee on Website
Enroll Early to get a FREE Festival Weekend Pass!
Early Registration Deadline: Jan 31st, 2026
*Link to Festival Weekend Pass will be provided in separate email
Daily Schedule
9:00am - 10:00am
Harp Technique Class
10:00am - 11:00am
Music Theory, Rhythm Training, Tuning Training (with Break time)
11:00am - 12:00pm
Harp Ensemble Training, Sight Reading Training
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Lunch Break
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Private Lessons with Faculty Members
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Topic of the Day: Repertoire Knowledge, Harp History, Harp Maintenance, Performance Class
3:00pm - 4:00pm
Practise Time (supervised by faculty)
4:00pm
Dismissal
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Reflecting Backward. Projecting Forward.
Our 2025 Summer Institute was a vibrant celebration of music, mentorship, and artistic growth! Eighteen young harpists from around the world came and learnt from an exceptional faculty: Catherine Michel, Kathleen Bride, Dr. Frances Duffy, Joel von Lerber, and Andrew Chan, with special thanks to Manuel Gamalinda of Harp Care for his insightful maintenance workshop.
The passion and artistry of 2025 have set the stage for an even more inspiring Summer Institute 2026.
We can’t wait to welcome you!
