Amber Nelms is a senior at Charles R. Drew Charter School, where she plays the harp. She began her harp studies at age 12 and joined the Talent Development Program in the summer of 2022. Amber’s love for the harp began at age 11 when she discovered her sister’s harp and was immediately captivated by the instrument. Amber currently studies under Elisabeth Remy Johnson, the principal harpist of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and also receives instruction from Dr. Molly O’Roark and Dr. Jennifer Betzer of the Urban Youth Harp Ensemble. She’s been a member of the Urban Youth Harp Ensemble for 5 years.

Amber has been recently selected as a principal harpist for the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra under Maestro William Langley. She has participated in GMEA’s Solo and Ensemble for 3 years earning 19 superior medals in the process. Amber has also successfully auditioned and performed with GMEA’s All State Orchestra and Band in the years 2024 and 2025. Amber has also been accepted and attended the Sewanee Summer Music Festival in 2024 and 2025 where she studied under Gaye LeBlanc, principal harpist for the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and teaches at the University of Oklahoma. She has also attended the American Harp Academy studying under Jacquelyn Barlett who teaches at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

Amber has performed all over the city of Atlanta including the Federal Reserve Bank, the Ray Charles Center, and the Woodruff Arts Center. She has also performed as a soloist and in ensembles at places like Spivey Hall, Atlanta Symphony Hall, and many other locations.

Upon graduating from the Talent Development Program, Amber plans to attend college, where she intends to double major in music and biology. Her future goals include becoming Principal Harpist of the Atlanta Symphony and teaching students the harp. Outside of music, she enjoys spending time with friends, reading, traveling, and spending time with her dog, Snowman.

After high school, I hope to attend Florida State University or Vanderbilt double majoring in Harp Performance and Biology on a pre-med track. After graduating college in 2030, I hope to go to Yale or Eastman for graduate school for harp.  In hopes of becoming a professional harpist,  I wish  to open my own harp studio and gain a principal position with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Outside of building my professional career, I hope to continue serving my community by teaching students music around the world.