Amber Nelms
Biography
School/Class: Charles R. Drew Charter High School, Class of 2026
ASO Instructor: Elisabeth Remy Johnson
Other Musical Affiliations: Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, GMEA All State Orchestra, Urban Youth Harp Ensemble
Summer Camps: Sewanee Summer Music Festival, American Harp Academy
Amber Nelms is a student at Charles R. Drew Charter High School (Class of 2026), 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 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 three 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.