Classes

An overview of classes offered at the Atlanta Harp Center Festival

Jaymee Haefner – Pedaling without Panic

Pedaling doesn’t have to feel like a high-stakes obstacle course. Drawing on 20 years on the faculty, Jaymee Haefner breaks down how harpists at all levels can approach pedaling with clarity, strategy, and confidence—no adrenaline spikes required.

This workshop focuses on how to think about pedaling, not just where the feet go. Topics include:

  • Reading scores to anticipate pedaling challenges before they appear

  • Building pedaling plans that are efficient, flexible, and musically intentional

  • Navigating quick changes, enharmonics, and awkward transitions with control

  • Practicing pedaling so it holds up under pressure, not just in the practice room

  • Common pedaling pitfalls and the habits that prevent them

Designed for students, emerging professionals, and experienced players alike, this session offers practical tools that replace panic with preparation. The takeaway: confident feet, calmer minds, and pedaling that supports the music instead of stealing the show. 

Lecture/Demo - harps optional

Jaymee Haefner – What Professors Wish Students Knew

What do professors actually notice—and what do they quietly wish students understood sooner? Drawing on 20 years on the faculty, Jaymee Haefner offers a candid, clear-eyed look at the habits, mindsets, and choices that consistently shape student success.

This workshop addresses the unspoken expectations that rarely make it into syllabi but strongly influence lessons, studios, and long-term outcomes.

Topics include:

  • How professors really assess preparation, growth, and professionalism

  • Practice habits that move the needle versus those that stall progress

  • Communication skills students often overlook until problems arise

  • The difference between being talented and being dependable

  • How to advocate for yourself effectively—without unintended consequences

Equal parts insight, reality check, and encouragement, this session is ideal for students, emerging professionals, and educators who want a sharper understanding of the student–faculty relationship. Honest, practical, and refreshingly direct—this is the advice most people learn late, if at all.

Lecture/Demo - harps optional

Jaymee Haefner – Masterclass

Registered festival participants of all ages and experience levels are welcome to apply to perform in a masterclass with Jaymee Haefner. This session will focus on musical refinement, technique, and expressive performance, offering practical guidance applicable to a wide range of repertoire. Performers receive personalized coaching in an encouraging environment, and observers benefit from hearing detailed pedagogical insights.
To register as a performer, please email: info@atlantaharpcenter.com
Masterclasses are open to all festival attendees for observation.

 

Parker Ramsay – Masterclass

Registered festival participants of all ages and experience levels are invited to apply to perform in a masterclass with Parker Ramsay. This masterclass will explore musical interpretation, stylistic versatility, and thoughtful approaches to both historical and contemporary repertoire in a supportive, inquisitive setting. Participants will receive individualized feedback, while audience members gain insight into artistic decision-making and performance practice.
To register as a performer, please email: info@atlantaharpcenter.com
Masterclasses are open to all festival attendees for observation.

 

Sunita Staneslow - The Art of the Arpeggios - Beyond the Inversions

Arpeggios are more than technical filler—they are the poetry between the beats. In this workshop, Sunita Staneslow guides participants in transforming standard arpeggios into expressive, fluid musical statements. We will move beyond basic inversions and root-position thinking to uncover how subtle changes—altering or adding a single string—can dramatically expand color, tension, and direction.

Participants will explore enriching arpeggios with added 9ths, suspended tones, and gentle harmonic shifts that create motion and sparkle. We will experiment with “swirling” textures that invite the ear forward, shaping arpeggios into phrases that breathe, sing, and feel intentional rather than automatic. The focus is musical elegance, not finger gymnastics—though your fingers may thank you later.

Ideal for harpists looking to deepen their harmonic imagination and elevate everyday patterns into something truly glorious. Bring curiosity, open ears, and a willingness to abandon the safety of the root chord. The results are worth it.

Hands-on format; all levels welcome.

Sunita Staneslow - Creating Beauty

Beauty doesn’t have to be complicated—and it certainly doesn’t have to be rehearsed for weeks. In this workshop, Sunita Staneslow shares practical, elegant techniques for creating immediate, resonant beauty at the harp through shimmering glissandos and improvisation over a simple descending bass line.

Drawing from more than a decade of experience as a therapeutic harpist, Sunita introduces foundational patterns she found indispensable in real-world settings—tools that work instantly, reliably, and musically. Participants will learn how to layer texture, shape atmosphere, and respond intuitively in the moment, whether playing for an audience of one or one hundred.

This class emphasizes confidence, presence, and generosity of sound. The goal is empowerment: leaving with musical ideas that allow you to offer something meaningful anytime, anywhere—no elaborate setup required. Accessible, grounding, and deeply musical, this workshop is a reminder that creating beauty is both a skill and a gift, and one well within reach.

Hands-on format; all levels welcome.

 

Elizabeth Steiner - Pop Arranging for the Modern Harpist

Pop music is no longer a side hustle for harpists—it is a core skill. In this practical, style-savvy workshop, Elizabeth Steiner demystifies the art of arranging pop music for the modern harpist, focusing on how to create compelling, playable, and idiomatic arrangements that sound current rather than “classical with chords.”

Participants will explore how to translate groove, texture, and harmonic language from pop, indie, and singer-songwriter styles onto the harp. Topics include choosing the right voicings, managing rhythm and feel, simplifying without losing impact, adapting piano- or guitar-based material, and making smart choices about pedals, enharmonics, and texture. Elizabeth will also address how to tailor arrangements for different performance contexts—from solo gigs and collaborations to recording and social media.

This session is ideal for harpists who want to expand their repertoire, increase booking versatility, and confidently say yes when a client asks, “Can you play something more modern?” Practical, adaptable, and immediately useful—this is arranging with intention, not guesswork.

Lecture/Demo - harps optional

Elizabeth Steiner - Make Your Own Lane: Building a Sustainable Musical Life

There is no single “right” path in today’s music world—and that is precisely the opportunity. In this candid and empowering workshop, Elizabeth Steiner invites participants to rethink success, shed outdated career models, and intentionally design a musical life that aligns with their values, strengths, and realities.

Drawing from her multifaceted career as a performer, educator, and creative entrepreneur, this session explores how to identify your unique skill set, diversify income streams, set healthy boundaries, and make strategic choices that support both artistic fulfillment and long-term sustainability. Topics may include portfolio careers, redefining productivity, navigating non-linear paths, and resisting comparison culture (yes, even that kind).

This workshop is ideal for students, freelancers, educators, and seasoned professionals who are ready to stop chasing someone else’s blueprint and start building a career that actually works—for them. Think less “follow the rules,” more “write your own manual.”

Lecture/Demo - harps optional

Jacqueline Pollauf - Extended Techniques for the Harp

Jacqueline Pollauf presents an interactive workshop delving into special effects on the harp. Throughout this workshop, she'll provide an overview of many different extended techniques, including percussive techniques, various glissandos, whistles, buzzes, xylophonic sounds, and more. Participants will receive a packet with all of the special effects presented in musical notation and all will have the chance to experiment with the extended techniques throughout the workshop.

Hands-on format; all levels welcome.

Kristina Finch - It’s Electric! Discovering the Joys of Electric Harp

Curious about electric harps and how they expand the possibilities of harp performance? Join Kristina Finch, owner of Harp District, for an interactive demonstration exploring a variety of in-stock electric harps. Kristina will walk through different models, offering insight into how electric harps can be used across genres and performance settings. This workshop is ideal for harpists interested in amplification, effects, and modern performance options.

Lecture/Demo - harps not needed.

Alexander Technique and the Harp

This workshop introduces harpists to the principles of the Alexander Technique, with a focus on developing greater awareness of how the body relates to the harp as a large, physically interactive instrument. Participants will explore posture, balance, and ease of movement, gaining tools to support comfort, efficiency, and long-term physical well-being while playing.

Lecture/Demo - harps optional

Harp Tasting

Join the Atlanta Harp Center team for a harp tasting demonstration featuring a selection of harps currently in stock. This session offers an opportunity to hear and compare different models, sizes, and tonal qualities while learning about what makes each harp unique. Ideal for harpists at any stage, this workshop provides helpful insight for those considering an upgrade or simply curious about the wide range of instruments available.

Lecture/Demo - harps not needed.

Hangin’ with the Harp Live and In Person!

Join MJ and Robbin for Hangin’ with the Harp - Live and in person!

Rhett Barnwell and Robbin Gordon-Cartier - Morning Meditation and Sacred Music

Begin Sunday morning with a quiet, reflective session centered on sacred and meditative music. This 30-minute gathering offers a non-denominational atmosphere focused on mindfulness, reflection, and calm, rather than a formal service. Designed to gently ease participants into the day before regular workshops begin, this session welcomes all attendees seeking a peaceful and grounding start to the morning.

String Change Workshop

This hands-on workshop is designed to help harpists feel confident changing their own strings. Participants will learn best practices for replacing strings, tying secure knots, and maintaining proper tension, along with tips for troubleshooting common issues. Ideal for harpists of all levels, this session provides practical skills that support instrument care and long-term harp maintenance.

Harps optional.