The Bay Area Harp Foundation’s Youth Harp Ensemble is where young musicians come together to create something greater than themselves—a vibrant, expressive harp choir that blends skill, artistry, and service. Designed for harpists ages 9–18, this ensemble provides students at Level 2 and above the opportunity to grow musically while connecting with peers who share their passion. Through regular rehearsals and performance opportunities, students strengthen their technique, musicality, and confidence in an encouraging, ensemble-driven environment.

Schedule

Our season is September-May. We meet about 25 weeks on Sundays 2:00pm-5:00pm in the South Bay. 

Performances 

Quality performance is key to our program. We schedule two formal concerts as well a minimum of two outreach programs.

Locations

We meet in the South Bay near Saratoga and Los Gatos. 

Audition Requirements 

  • Perform two contrasting pieces of level 2-3+: one piece/excerpt should be of fast tempo to demonstrate technique; the other selection should be of a slower tempo and more lyrical to demonstrate musicianship, phrasing etc.
  • One scale (two hands, three octaves in eighth notes) and one arpeggio – V7 chord; four octaves in eighth notes.
  • Intervals and chord inversions.
  • Sight-reading.

Join Us!

Tours

Touring is an essential part of our program, offering students the opportunity to share their music beyond the local stage and connect with the broader harp community.​In 2018, we performed at the Redlands National Harp Conference. In 2019, we were featured at the MTAC State Convention in San Jose. In 2022, our ensemble performed at the National Harp Conference in Los Angeles.
Looking ahead, we hope to attend and perform at the World Harp Congress in Toronto in 2026, and are planning a featured performance at the National Harp Ensemble Conference in Texas in 2027.

Meet the Conductor

Kristal Schwartz, Conductor & Artistic Director
Kristal Schwartz is a passionate harpist, educator, and arts advocate whose career has been dedicated to empowering musicians through education, community, and artistry. As the founder and Artistic Director of the Bay Area Harp Academy Foundation, she brings over two decades of experience as a performer, teacher, and ensemble leader to her role as conductor.
A graduate of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (M.M.) and Thomas Edison State University (B.M.), Kristal has performed with ensembles including the Stanford University Orchestra, Peninsula Symphony, and the San Francisco Conservatory Orchestra. She currently conducts the San Jose Youth Symphony Harp Ensemble and serves on faculty at West Valley College.
Kristal’s teaching philosophy blends disciplined training with creative expression. She is known for fostering both technical excellence and deep musicality in her students, guiding them through competitive, academic, therapeutic, and personal pathways in music. Under her leadership, the foundation supports need-based scholarships, therapeutic music initiatives, and educational outreach across Silicon Valley.
With a mission to make harp education accessible and inspiring, Kristal is committed to cultivating a vibrant, inclusive harp community where students of all backgrounds can flourish—turning dreams into melodies, one string at a time.

Youth Harp Ensemble