2025 Nebraska Harp Retreat
Session I: June 10-14, 2025
Session II: June 16-20, 2025
Final Concert: June 20, 2025 at 4pm
Brownville, Nebraska
Community Harp Event: June 14, 2025 - Harp HeyDay!
Foundation.
Having the right tools to play and practice makes all the difference. And you don’t have to have it figured out already! We’re all learning and this is THE place if you want to take your playing to the next level. We’ll cover the basics & then step it up a notch (or two!) to make sure your technique and skills are in tip-top shape.
In addition to your 2 private 1-hour lessons over the course of the retreat, we’ll dig into practice tips, elevating your performance skills, self-evaluation of your own technique, warm-up routines, audition excerpts, writing your own compositions and more! This is the opportunity to step away from the bustle of life to focus on your playing, practicing and improving.
“Knowing Julie...It is an honor that I am able to recommend my students to attend the Nebraska Harp Retreat, where she continues to pass along her passion for the harp in an incredibly nurturing, encouraging and fun environment. I have found that my students who have attended the NHR come back with a greater love of the instrument, improved technical skills and confidence in their playing, and they experience the joy of building friendships with other harpists!”
“Attending the Nebraska Harp Retreat was an unforgettable experience! The highlight of the retreat is undoubtedly getting to work with Julie herself, an exceptional harpist and teacher who truly cares about the success of each participant. She goes above and beyond to offer invaluable advice, encouragement, and support.
Brownville, NE is a welcoming town with a strong appreciation for the arts, and connecting with the locals was an unexpected highlight. The retreat provides a supportive environment for harpists at any stage, with a historic house and peaceful landscape ideal for focused practice.
The camaraderie among fellow harpists.. made the experience even more rewarding. I highly recommend this retreat to any harpist looking to improve their playing and make lasting memories!”
“I had a really great time and enjoyed just being able to focus on music and getting better at tenchnique. The time is relaxing from the nomal busyness of life and allows you to still work on your harp skill.s I am looking to returning for the next one! ”
Dreams.
If you listen carefully, there’s probably a small voice inside of you saying, “I wonder if I could….” or “I’d love to do that…!” I want you to listen to that voice & to dream your BIG dreams! Through discussions and reflection, we’ll discover your strengths and passions and then develop action steps to make those dreams come true!
Our time together will be to assess where you are and where you want to go, whatever level you are at! Dream big, make plans, and set your schedule to accomplish what you want to achieve!
Creativity.
It can’t all be work and no play! Our creative spirit needs to be unleashed and nurtured and finding outlets for it is an important activity, too! Be prepared for light-hearted fun at this workshop that will translate to your music, playing, and friendships, which will ultimately transform your life!
Brownville, NE is a quaint village filled with cultural experiences and artistic activities. The workshop will include art classes by local artists, museum tours, a river boat dinner cruise and more! Other Brownville attractions for family and friends include area hikes, coffee & decor shops, antique shops, museums, and a local winery.
2025 Nebraska Harp Retreat Details
The Nebraska Harp Retreat is open to all harpists who desire a focused retreat experience to take their playing to the next level. With the arrangements at the Muir House, this retreat is open to various ages and can accommodate multiple levels of players. If you are wondering if this experience is right for you, please reach out to nebraskharp@gmail.com for more information.
The 2025 Retreat has expanded to offer two sessions, with the option of staying for one or both sessions of the retreat! The sessions will be similar to each other, covering a variety of repertoire, class topics and skills. New this year will be a Practice Performance / Mock Audition for those interested in elevating their audition skills, specifically for competitions, performances or orchestra auditions. Session II will culminate in a final concert, featuring the solo and ensemble pieces that the participants have prepared. Although harpists may come for one session, imagine giving yourself the time to have twice as many lessons and twice as much time for peaceful relaxation in a remote environment, away from the busyness of life, where you can focus on you, your goals and your harp playing!
Schedule
Session I: June 10-14, 2025
Check-in: Tuesday, June 10 between 9-12pm; lessons and activities begin at 1pm*
Public Concert: Saturday, June 14, 2025 @ 4pm
Session II: June 16-20, 2025
Check-in: Monday, June 16 between 9-12pm; lessons and activities begin at 1pm*
Final Concert: Friday, June 20, 2025 @ 4pm
(If an earlier arrival is required, please email nebraskaharp@gmail.com)
Example Daily Schedule
8am - breakfast
9am - harp ensemble rehearsal or class at Brownville Concert Hall / compositions
10am - practice time / lessons
12pm - lunch
1:30pm - art classes with local artist / farm experience / museum tours
3pm - practice time / lessons / free time
5:30pm - dinner
7pm - practice / free time
Tuition & Fees
Tuition / $750; Room & Board / $500
Full payment is due by June 1, 2025
Tuition includes:
two private lessons with Julie Phillips
harp classes (ie. orchestra repertoire, technique study, composition, iPad skills, eurhythmics trainig, etc.)
performance opportunities—final public concert, masterclasses, mock auditions
free time to practice and explore Brownville
classes with local artists plus evening activities
Additional lessons are available during the retreat. Please inquire early in the retreat about scheduling additional lesson time.
Accommodations:
rooms are double occupancy with shared bathroom in the historic Muir House in Brownville
continental breakfast & lunch (Session I: Wednesday-Saturday/ Session II: Tuesday-Friday)
dinner (Session I: Tuesday-Friday/Session II: Monday-Thursday)
Commuting options are available. Parents who are interested in staying in Brownville during the week may arrange for a room at the River Inn Resort in Brownville or use other local accommodations.
Application
Deadline: June 1, 2025 - Applications still being accepted!
In addition to submitting your application, applicants are asked to submit a recorded video of their current level of playing. Repertoire should consist of two contrasting pieces (no more than 10 min total in length) as well as an orchestral excerpt of your choice. These videos are used to assign appropriate level of ensemble music for the harpists.
Materials and/or links may be sent to nebraskaharp@gmail.com. Application payment of $30 may be mailed by check to 3984 Syme Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008 or sent via Venmo to @harpjas. Applications can be found here. Ensemble repertoire will be emailed around May 10, 2025.
Scholarships may be available for select individuals and students are encouraged to apply. If interested in a scholarship, please complete this application in addition to your NHR application. Scholarship applications are due April 15, 2025.
For those attending both sessions, there is a $300 tuition credit.
Other FAQs
Brownville Harp HeyDay!: Saturday, June 14, 2025
Want to get a taste of the harp retreat, play great music and meet new friends? Come and join us for a day of harp playing on Saturday, June 14th! Participants of this one-day-only experience will enjoy two harp ensemble sessions, digging into the elements of music, preparing the pieces that we will perform later that day! Private lesson with Julie Phillips is also available as an add-on to the experience. The day will culminate with a public concert at 4pm at the Brownville Concert Hall. Lunch and snacks will be provided. Fill out this form to be included in this fun and rewarding day!
Chamber Music Concert: Sunday, June 15, 2025
For participants that would like to join, we will be attending Omaha Chamber Music’s concert featuring Sara Magill, former Principal Harp, Omaha Symphony Orchestra, performing Ravel’s Introduction et Allegro. Concert is at 3pm at the Omaha Conservatory of Music; $100 includes the concert ticket, travel arrangements, and dinner. This extra event is not included in the session tuition price.
Repertoire: Harp participants are asked to come prepared with one performance-ready solo piece (to work on polishing), one in-progress piece (to work on practice techniques) and at least one orchestra excerpt of their choice. Participants will also be given harp ensemble music to prepare for the retreat’s final concert (if applicable).
Directions: Brownville, NE is located in the Southeast corner of the state of Nebraska. It is 75 miles from the Omaha, NE airport and 105 miles from Kansas City, MO airport. Airport pickups can be arranged. Cost is $100/roundtrip.
Instruments: Participants are strongly encouraged to bring their own harps, although a small number of instruments may be available to rent from the Lincoln/Omaha/Kansas City areas. If a rental harp is needed, please note that on your application. Securing a rental harp and payment to harp owners are the responsibility of the attending student.
Photos from the 2024 Nebraska Harp Retreat
Harpists rehearsing their ensemble music.
Photos from previous Nebraska Harp Workshops, 2016
Harp ensemble rehearsal at Peru State College.
Post concert photo with all of the workshop participants.
Hosted lunch at the home of the Peru State College’s President.
Make a Donation
If you would like to assist in funding the Nebraska Harp Workshop Retreat, please consider making a donation. All of the funds go towards underwriting this and future summer’s workshop retreats, providing scholarships to our participants, and assisting with travel expenses for guest artists. Even a small donation will help! And thank you!
