Harp

Talent Development Program

ASYO

Urban Youth Harp Ensemble

Sewanee Summer Music Festival

All State Orchestra

Amber's Harp Journey

9th Grade

Amber Nelms is a 9th grader at Drew Charter School. She is a member of the Urban Youth Harp Ensemble and has been playing for 3 years. Amber was chosen for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's Talent Development Program as a harpist. She also has performed at the Atlanta Harp Center as well as at the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center at Morehouse College. She also has played at the State of the City Mayoral Address in Atlanta as well as at the 82nd annual Atlanta City Police Memorial. In addition to harp, Amber also plays the piano and sings in the Advanced Mixed Chorus at her school. She also volunteers at Drew Charter School's Elementary Academy and also works at Sammy's Cheesecake. She wants to attend Cornell University, Florida State University, FAMU, or University of Georgia. In her free time, she enjoys writing poetry, reading books, and baking. Amber hopes to double major in biology and music while minoring in buisness or psychology.

Harp Haiku #1

A Stray Cat Asleep on the Roof In the Spring Rain

Harp Haiku #2

The Sparrows are Playing Hide and Seek Among the Tea Flowers

Minstrels Adeiu to His Native Land

This piece was composed by John Thomas. I chose to play the theme, Variation 3, and Variation 4. Those variations are not only my favorites, but also the hardest ones to play.

10th Grade

Winter Harp Concert

The theme for our winter concert was the Nutcracker. My group played Waltz of the Flowers from the Nutcracker Suite which involved many pedal changes and key changes.

Spring Harp Concert

During this concert, I played my first ever concerto which was the Malecki double harp concerto with Drew's orchestra. The other piece we played was In the Mood by Joe Garland.

11th Grade

Winter Harp Concert

At the winter harp concert, my class was the final advanced class, 1A. We played Sleigh Ride arranged by our teacher Dr. O'Roark and we played Sonata in Re written by Albeniz.

Spring Harp Concert

This concert celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Urban Youth Harp Ensemble. In honor of the founder, Roslyn Lewis, a concerto was premiered in her honor. The other piece we played was called Spanish Dance.

Biography

Amber Nelms is 16 years old and attends Charles R. Drew Charter School. Amber began playing the harp at age 12 and has been a member of the Urban Youth Harp Ensemble for 5 years. She became a fellow of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's Talent Development Program in the summer of 2022 and studies privately with Elisabeth Remy Johnson. She also studies under Urban Youth Harp Ensemble instructor, Dr. Molly O'Roark and Dr. Jennifer Betzer. She has competed in GMEA's Solo and Ensemble for 3 years earning 12 superior medals in the process. Amber successfully auditioned and performed with GMEA's All State Orchestra and Band in the years 2024 and 2025. Amber has performed all over the city of Atlanta including the Federal Reserve, the Ray Charles Center, and at the Woodruff Arts Center. Recently, she was selected as the second harp for the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra under Maestro William Langley. Amber has also been accepted and attended the Sewanee Summer Music Festival and the American Harp Academy intensive. Also, Amber is a part of the newly founded Youth Action Participatory Research Team which is focused on student voice around Drew Charter School and improving student and teacher morale. In her free time, she loves playing Upon graduating from high school, Amber plans to attend college where she will double major in biology and harp performance.

Etude de Concert: Au Matin

This solo was written by Marcel Tournier. Marcel Tournier was an infamous professor and composer known all throughout the harp world. Au Matin translates to "In the Morning". Please enjoy!

12th Grade

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