Urban Youth Harp Ensemble
Molly Oroarck
Molly Oroarck
Bio - 9th Grade
Amani Hampton is an 9th grade student at Drew Charter School. Amani's a member of the Urban Youth Harp Ensemble and has played the harp for 4 years. Amani is an award winning track runner as well. Amani won "Ms. Freshman" for cross country and "Freshman Of The Year" for track in 2024. Amani's apart of the National Beta Club, book buddies, 21 club, DECA and Red Cross club. Amani was 2nd place in the 4x2 in 2022. I enjoy music because it helps me wake up in the morning and brings up my mood in a positive way. Music invokes a feeling of nostalgia. It helps me express myself and helps me get through different emotions. When I grow up, I want to attend FAMU to work in the medical field. After I want to spend the rest of my life as a dermatologist.
Program Notes
Pamela Bruner is an award-winning harpist and vocalist, Pamela performs across the country, winning fans with her expressive vocals. Pamela is a life long musician, playing the harp for over 2 decades. Pamela also is a singer and a songwriter. The piece "Waterfalls" is written by Pamela Bruner. This song is full of beautiful arpeggios going up and down the scale. It flows just like waterfalls!
Bio - 10th Grade
Amani Hampton is a 10th-grade student at Drew Charter School. She has been a dedicated member of the Urban Youth Harp Ensemble for four years and is passionate about music. Music plays a special role in her life—it helps her start her mornings, lifts her mood, and brings a sense of nostalgia. It also gives her a way to express herself and work through different emotions I've attended two solar and ensembles so far to play the harp, which I've gotten 1’s on both. I've also played at a few gigs including a funeral and multiple times at the black history museum called the APEX. I’m very grateful for these opportunities and more to come.
Amani is also an award-winning track athlete, earning the title of “Ms. Freshman” for cross country and “Freshman of the Year” for track in 2024. In 2022, she helped her team place 2nd in the 4x2 relay. In addition to music and athletics, Amani is involved in several school organizations, including the National Beta Club, Book Buddies, 21 Club, DECA, and the Red Cross Club.
Looking ahead, Amani plans to attend FAMU, Brown University, or Emory to pursue a career in the medical field. Her goal is to become a dermatologist and make a positive impact on people’s lives through skincare and health.
Program Notes
"Above the Clouds" is a peaceful and flowing composition that really showcases the harp's beauty. It was originally composed by Frank Voltz and arranged by Angi Bemiss to be played as a solo. When I play this composition, it makes me think of drifting through the air on a calm day, far away from everything below.
The melody is calm and calming, and it is like it is telling something without words. I chose this track because I love how it sounds ethereal and emotional at the same time. It is one of those tunes that can help you relax and daydream about something beautiful.
I hope that when you listen to it, you can feel like you are sailing "above the clouds" too.