Harp Lessons
Lever and pedal harp lessons are offered to beginning, intermediate, and advanced students from age 5 to adult. Jessica maintains studios in Bridgewater, VA and Winchester, VA and is accepting students to both studios although space in Bridgewater is limited. Previous music experience is not necessary. Please complete the New Student Form and bring it to your first lesson. Please visit the Pricing page for additional information.
2010 Harps for HARTS Concert
Lessons are tailored for each unique student and are designed to let them reach their maximum potential. Jessica structures lessons around the specific goals of each individual student. Lessons will include thorough instruction in harp technique, repertoire, musicianship, practice techniques, music theory, harp maintenance, sight-reading, rhythm training, and ensemble work. Students participate in group lessons and ensembles so that they can perform with other students and learn to listen with a critical and musical ear. Students give two recitals a year and one masterclass is given in the spring. Jessica Frost-Ballas plays and teaches the French method (Grandjany) but will accept students of any background.
2011 Winter Studio Recital
In 2011, Jessica took 15 students to Somerset Folk Harp Festival in Parsippany, NJ to perform as the Shenandoah Valley Harp Ensemble. They will return to perform at the Festival in 2012 and Jessica will present a workshop on “The Business of Playing Harp.” Students in Jessica’s harp studio have participated in masterclasses for Dr. Ann Yeung, Robbin Gordon-Cartier, Hye-Yun Chung Bennett, Mary Jane D’Arville and Tula Ruggiero. Students have also been selected for participation in Regional, District, and State Orchestra and Band. Jessica has had prizewinners in the Mid-Atlantic Harp Festival Scholarship Competition, the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival and the local, regional, and state Bland Competition. Select students from Jessica’s studio have also performed with the McLean Youth Orchestra at the Kennedy Center, the Governor’s School for the Arts Symphony Orchestra, the Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra, the Eastern Mennonite University Youth and College orchestras, the Bay Youth Symphony Orchestra, and the Shenandoah Performing Arts Camp Symphony Orchestra. Students from her studio have been awarded full and partial scholarships and continued studies at prestigious schools like the University of Illinois, Carnegie-Mellon University, Peabody Conservatory, Butler University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and Shenandoah University.
Emily M., 2nd place prize-winner at the 2011 Mid-Atlantic Harp Festival Scholarship Competition
