Cleveland loses another star prof

The American harpist Yolanda Kondonassis, the most recorded artist on her instrument, resigned last night in dismay from the embattled Cleveland Institute of Music.

Oklahoma born, Yolanda is married to Michael Sachs, principal trumpet of the Cleveland Orchestra. Sachs, former chair of the brass department at CIM, resigned a year ago with a blistering attack on the Institute’s maladministration.

Yolanda, whose recordings appear on Telarc and Channel Classics, has issued this statement:

I notified The Cleveland Institute of Music of my intention to resign as faculty member and head of the CIM harp department, effective in May 2025.

After 28 years in this position, it has been a privilege to mentor so many wonderful and talented students who have gone on to make such a positive impact in our musical communities.

I have always considered the promises I make to my students to be sacred vows, and I have done my best to honor their trust in me. With a heavy heart, I have concluded that I cannot keep all of those promises alone.

This world is a magical, complex, and challenging place. To my dear current students, I know that you will navigate the landscape ahead with intelligence, integrity, humor, and grace. I am certain we will meet again.

In the meantime, I must close this chapter and look forward to wherever my professional life takes me next.
-Yolanda