Amber Nelms is 16 years old and attends Charles R. Drew Charter School. She plays the harp. Amber began playing the harp at age 12 and has been a member of the Urban Youth Harp Ensemble for 5 years. She entered 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 14 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. Upon graduating from high school,  Amber plans to attend college where she will double major in biology and harp performance.

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.