Special Events
masterclassES
The Masterclasses are free to participants who have registered for the full Festival. Advance registration to play for the Masterclasses is required. Space is limited and usually fills up quickly. To be considered, please email us at info@atlantaharpcenter.com.
Parker Ramsay - Saturday, March 16, 9:00am - 11:30am
Jaymee Haefner - Sunday, March 17, 9:00am - 11:30am
Flash lesson
Flash Lessons are 15-minute, one-on-one sessions offered to registered festival participants at no additional cost. These short, focused lessons provide targeted feedback on a specific passage, technical issue, or musical question.
Advance sign-up is required. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants may sign up for one Flash Lesson.
Artists offering Flash Lessons:
Rhett Barnwell
Calista Ann Koch
To request a Flash Lesson, please email info@atlantaharpcenter.com with your preferred artist and a brief description of what you’d like to work on.
guest ensembles
Middle Georgia Harp Ensemble
Calista Anne Koch, Director
The Middle Georgia Harp Ensemble, which includes members of the Mercer Harp Ensemble, is primarily made up of students of founder and director Calista Anne Koch. Established in 2004, the invitation-only ensemble brings together intermediate to advanced harpists ranging in age from upper elementary students to adult players. Much of the group’s repertoire is written specifically for them by Mrs. Koch and is often inspired by orchestral, choral, and ballet works featuring harp.
The ensemble has performed at the American Harp Society National Convention (2016), the Macon Cherry Blossom Festival, the Morning Music Club of Macon, the 2024 Atlanta Harp Festival, and other events across Georgia. Members have also been featured in solo and ensemble performances at AHS Summer Institutes, AHS “Summerfest,” international festivals in Italy, and have earned local and national competition and scholarship honors.
Urban Youth Harp Ensemble
Molly O’Roark, Artistic Director and Jennifer Betzer, Teaching Artist
The Urban Youth Harp Ensemble (UYHE) is a beloved festival favorite and a pioneering nonprofit organization founded in 2000 to provide young people with access to harp education and artistic opportunity. With a mission to deliver high-quality musical instruction, develop strong musicianship, and inspire at-risk urban youth, UYHE creates a supportive environment where students can explore the harp’s beauty while building skills, confidence, and community. The program is offered free of charge through generous donations, grants, sponsorships, and partnerships with host schools including Charles R. Drew Charter School.
Since launching with just two students, UYHE has grown to serve more than 80 students across metropolitan Atlanta through in-school classes, afterschool instruction, elementary outreach concerts, and summer programming. The ensemble’s vision is to broaden access to educational and professional pathways in music while helping shape a more diverse future for the orchestral stage. Now celebrating its 25th anniversary season, UYHE continues to expand its reach and was recently featured nationally on The Kelly Clarkson Show, highlighting the transformative power of harp education.
pop-up events
Special events, such as mini-concerts and music tastings will be held throughout the Festival. Be sure to follow us on Facebook where these events will be announced.
exhibit hall
The Atlanta Harp Center will have an extensive display of lever and pedal harps, music, strings and accessories available for your shopping enjoyment! Angi Bemiss will also have a display of her publications from Simply the Harp.
HOURS:
Friday 1:00pm - 7:00pm
Saturday 8:30am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:30am - 1:00pm
Harp regulations - Certified technician Danielle Williams
Lyon & Healy/Salvi Guild Member and Camac certified Danielle Williams is a versatile harpist and harp technician based in Chicago, Illinois. She began her harp studies in St. Louis, Missouri, and has been performing professionally since 2006. A graduate of the University of Missouri–St. Louis with a Bachelor of Arts in Music (emphasis in harp), Danielle has served as Principal Harpist with the Town & Country Symphony Orchestra and the Alton Symphony Orchestra. Her performance experience spans orchestral, musical theatre, experimental, and contemporary genres, with appearances including productions of The King and I, My Fair Lady, and performances with The Beach Boys.
In addition to her performance career, Danielle works extensively as a collaborator, recording artist, and harp specialist. At the Atlanta Harp Center Festival, she will be offering harp regulations throughout the weekend. Harpists wishing to schedule a regulation may contact her directly at daniellew.harp@yahoo.com. Learn more at daniellewilliamsharp.com.
Regulation Costs:
Pedal harp regulation: $500
Install bass wires (labor only): $75
Lever harp regulation: $275