About Jaymee

An air of dreamy lyricism… interlocking melody lines with the deftness of a dancer’s footwork.

—Daniel Buckley, composer

Jaymee Haefner (BM, MM, DM) is Professor of Harp and Director of Graduate Studies at the UNT College of Music. She has performed internationally (Hong Kong, New York City, New Orleans, Atlanta, Mexico, Czech Republic, Russia, and France) and premiered new works for harp by notable composers (including Libby Larsen, Paul Patterson and Gary Schocker). She recently taught masterclasses at Indiana University Jacobs School, Eastman College of Music, Boston Conservatory, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and has adjudicated for the Hong Kong International Harp Competition, American Harp Society (AHS) National Competition, Lyon & Healy Awards, Young Artist’s Harp Competition, and the Italy International Harp Competition. Her invited lectures include the World Harp Congress (WHC) in Amsterdam and Sydney; the AHS in Minnesota, Louisiana, Utah, and Orlando; and Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) in San Antonio. She has published two books about renowned harpist Henriette Renié (1875-1956), and her Grove Music Online article was published by Oxford University Press. Her Crimson Duo (violin and harp) released two CD’s and has performed internationally at conferences for the World Harp Congress and American Harp Society. Jaymee has served as Treasurer for both the USA International Harp Competition World Harp Congress, the executive committees for the American Harp Society, and American Harp Journal editorial board, and the AHS Foundation. Her ensemble (UNT HarpBeats) was featured in the Lyon & Healy Summer Concert Series (Chicago), the WHC (Hong Kong), the AHS National Conference (New Orleans and Orlando) and the TMEA conference (San Antonio). She has worked with several renowned conductors, including Jaap van Zweden, Roger Nierenberg, David Syrus, and David Stern. Her harp recordings have received critical acclaim, and include features with the Bloomington Pops Orchestra, Daniel Narducci, Alfredo Rolando Ortiz, and James Boldin. Outside of music, she is passionate about spending time outdoors, especially scuba diving and hiking.

Listen

Buy "Renderings" CD

Buy "Crimson Duo" CD

Study

Study with Jaymee Haefner

My teaching philosophy is grounded in the belief that each student is an individual and should be encouraged in this way. Just as no two harpists’ hands are shaped identically, each student has individual technical and musical talents and needs. My teaching is a fusion of several approaches, passed onto me through my studies with Susann McDonald, Carrol McLaughlin, Anna Vorhes, and Kathy Bundock-Moore. Most importantly, “learning” and “teaching” are lifelong processes, which reach far beyond the harp– spurred by a deep love of playing the instrument. I have a particular interest in Henriette Renié’s Complete Method for Harp, and adopt many of her approaches in my teaching philosophy, while adding modern insights and practices. I’ve recently published several articles for The Harp Column, which articulate my teaching philosophy in greater detail.

News and updates

September, 2023

Jaymee Haefner featured in Harp Column

“Coming out of a rich lineage of harp teachers, Jaymee Haefner is molding the next generation of harpists at the University of North Texas.” Read Next in Line, the feature interview with Jaymee Haefner in the September-October 2023 issue of Harp Column magazine.

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June, 2023

UNT students win three prizes in American Harp Society National Competition

UNT graduate Kaitlin Miller (pictured) won first prize in the Young Professional Division and was named AHS Concert Artist through 2025; Margaret Anne Gunter won 1st Prize in the Advanced Division and Kathryn Horton won 5th Prize in the Intermediate 2 Division.

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Jan-Feb, 2023

Dallas Opera performance of Wagner’s Das Rheingold, Dallas Morning News

Photo of Jaymee Haefner in Dallas Morning News, rehearsals for Das Rheingold.

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August 2022

TEDx Talk by UNT Alum, Annie Ray

Annie works as a music teacher in Fairfax County and has created a music initiative for students in the CAT B program, which serves students with severe developmental or intellectual disabilities. In her talk, Annie explains her experience working with CAT B students and redefines what success looks like.

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March 2020

UNT student Alisa Coffey in CNN and Washington Post

Description: Alisa Coffey (UNT student and Arkansas Symphony Principal Harpist) was featured for her innovative work with other members of the symphony, performing lullabies online during the coronavirus outbreak.

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July, 2018

UNT HarpBeats perform at Lyon & Healy for Summer Concert Series

The University of North Texas College of Music HarpBeats recently performed at the famed Chicago Lyon & Healy Hall. The HarpBeats joined only a few artists invited to participate in the concert series including Emmanuel Ceysson, Katherine Siochi, Brandee Younger, and Lavinia Meijer.

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December, 2014

Historic Harps

Dallas Opera principal harpist donates three historic harps to UNT College of Music.

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