Amber Nelms is a graduating senior at Charles R. Drew Charter School, where she plays the harp as a member of the Urban Youth Harp Ensemble. Amber’s love for the harp began at age 11 when she discovered her sister’s harp and was immediately captivated by the instrument.She began her harp studies at age 12 with the UYHE and joined the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's Talent Development Program in the summer of 2022. 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. In the Fall of 2024, she was appointed as a teaching assistant for Urban Youth's Afterschool Harp classes.

Amber was selected as a principal harpist for the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra under Maestro William Langley for the 2025-2026 season. 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 2024, 2025, and 2026. Amber has attended the Sewanee Summer Music Festival in 2024 and 2025 where she studied under Gaye LeBlanc, principal harpist for the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and professor at the University of Oklahoma. She has also attended the American Harp Academy in 2023 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, Atlanta News First for their Christmas special, and opened for artist Lauren Daigle at the Fox Theater. In the Summer of 2026, she will be  touring Spain and performing with the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra as well as attending and performing at the One Harp World  in Canada with the Urban Youth Harp Ensemble.

Beyond music, Amber also serves in her community in many ways. In September 2025, Amber officially earned her Girl Scout's Gold Award for her passion project "Pages  of Possibility." "Pages of Possibility" was a project targeted toward children with reading disabilities in underserved communities. She created annual S.T.E.A.M incorporated literacy nights that gave families the tools to help increase reading comprehension at home.

She also is a founding member and researcher of the Youth Participatory Action Research Team. This is a research team focused on boosting student and teacher morale across Drew Charter School. The research team includes presenting at board presentations and leading focus groups throughout the school year.

Upon graduating, Amber will attend Vanderbilt University on a full scholarship, where she intends to double major in music and neuroscience. Her future goals include becoming Principal Harpist of the Atlanta Symphony and teaching students the harp. 

Outside of these accomplishments, she enjoys spending time with friends, reading, traveling, and spending time with her dog, Snowman.

After high school, I hope to attend Vanderbilt University double majoring in Harp Performance and Neuroscience 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.