Lever and pedal harp lessons are offered to beginning, intermediate, and advanced students from age 5 to adult. Jessica teaches out of her home studio in Stephens City, Virginia and via Skype for long-distance students. Previous music experience is not necessary. Please complete the New Student Form and bring it to your first lesson. Tuition rates can be found here.
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.
In 2011, Jessica took 15 students to Somerset Folk Harp Festival in Parsippany, NJ to perform as the Shenandoah Valley Harp Ensemble. They gave an encore performance in 2012. In 2012 Jessica also presented a workshop on “The Business of Playing Harp” at Somerset Folk Harp Festival. In 2013 Jessica’s adult students gave a special guest ensemble performance at the opening concert for the Beginning in the Middle Harp Conference in Williamsburg, VA.
Students in Jessica’s harp studio have participated in masterclasses for Dr. Ann Yeung, Robbin Gordon-Cartier, Hye-Yun Chung Bennett, and Mary Jane D’Arville. 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. Several students have attended the Young Artist’s Harp Seminar in Rabun Gap, GA and the Massenetta Church Music Conference in Harrisonburg, VA. 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, Old Dominion University, and Shenandoah University.
