Lelia Lattimore is in her 30th year of playing the harp professionally. She is the principal harpist with the Asheville Symphony, the Hendersonville Symphony, the Brevard Philharmonic, and the Johnson City Symphony. She appears with the Asheville Lyric Opera, the Asheville Choral Society, and the Carolina Concert Choir and serves as a guest accompanist for numerous church choirs throughout the area. She is the founding director of the Blue Ridge Harp Ensemble, which has delighted audiences for 20 years.

As a freelance musician, Mrs. Lattimore has shared the stage with musical greats Ray Charles, John Denver, Robert Goulet, CeCe Winans, and Michael W. Smith. She entertains in many venues, including the Biltmore Estate, Grove Park Inn, Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, The Grand Bohemian Hotel, High Hampton Inn, Pretty Place at Caesar’s Head South Carolina State Park, Cleveland Country Club, Woodmill Winery, Owl’s Eye Winery, and the Don Gibson Theatre.

​

Lelia enjoys participating in local and regional musical theater. Some of the musicals include The Fantasticks, South Pacific, Quilters, Once Upon a Mattress, Camelot, and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Venues include Asheville Community Theater (ACT), Southern Appalachian Regional Theater (SART), and Parkway Playhouse. She performs with the theater programs at Gardner-Webb University and Western Carolina University. Performances also include touring Broadway shows at the Peace Center and Blumenthal Performing Arts Center.

​

In harp lessons with Lelia, she teaches classical techniques on the pedal and non-pedal harps to students of all ages and levels in her studios in Asheville and in the Shelby area. Even beginners can make beautiful music. Harps come in various sizes which are appropriate for all ages; Lelia assists her students in the selection of an instrument to rent or to purchase.

​

Students have prepared for college auditions, received scholarships, gained acceptance into prestigious summer harp programs, and performed with professional and youth orchestras. They have shared their music in sacred and public settings and often play in group ensembles. Some play strictly for personal enjoyment.

​

Music is a form of communication, and expressive communication on the harp comes from having a secure technique. Lelia guides her students to build a solid musical foundation and a secure technique in a fun, encouraging atmosphere. She thoroughly enjoys teaching students how to play the harp.