Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Angelica Hairston. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Angelica, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

Growing up in Georgia, summers were filled with sunshine, the scent of peach cobbler in the air, and my dad playing music on his baritone saxophone. The sounds and influences of the South were all around when I started playing the violin at age 4. When I was 12, I attended a concert at Atlanta Symphony Hall and was blown away by the music of the Symphony and the magic that came from the sounds of the harp.

Shortly after, my parents saw the spark, and I started harp lessons. As a young Black harpist, I always noticed the lack of racial representation both on stage and in classical music audiences as I continued my studies. It was later, as a harpist in the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Talent Development Program—an initiative empowering African American and Latinx musicians in the classical scene—that I found an important community of support. As part of the program, I was able to study at Boston University Tanglewood Institute in my junior year. The chance to learn at a prestigious program and work with Ann Hobson Pilot, a leading African American harpist who became an image of representation and possibility, changed the game for me. I was inspired, and studying with her gave me the confidence that a major career as an African American harpist was within reach.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a harpist, educator, and advocate, with a specific focus on celebrating BIPOC composers and collaborators. I serve as a prominent Black harpist for international resorts and events, and I also work as a wellness practitioner, using music as a tool for rest and liberation.

My artistic journey has been nothing short of an adventure, from being the 2023 Artist in Residence at Palm Heights Resort in Grand Cayman to performing and conducting research at the University of Ghana in Accra. Whether it’s national performances in my home base of Atlanta or global bookings all the way in Lake Como, Italy, I feel honored that my music has resonated with audiences around the world.

Beyond the stage, I founded Challenge the Stats in 2016, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering BIPOC artists and using music for justice in an Atlanta-based concert series. I am excited about the impact on both artists and audiences through moving performances and meaningful conversations about equity in our field and the broader community.

In addition to my performance endeavors, I also have a foot in wellness work, holding certifications in Music Therapy and Sound Healing from University of the District of Columbia. As a frequent harp practitioner at wellness retreats, yoga and meditation classes, community rest practices, and healing justice events nationwide, I utilize live harp music to enhance rest and wellness practices. Collaborating with notable leaders like Tricia Hersey from The Nap Ministry and Octavia Raheem of Devoted To Rest Retreat, I provide serene harp music during yoga and rest sessions, contributing to attendees’ holistic wellness.

Feel free to reach out via my website to add beautiful harp music at your event, from Atlanta-based parties and celebrations to destination weddings and events across the globe, the harp always adds a special touch of elegance and I’m grateful to be a leading Black harpist in Atlanta and globally.

I’ve had an incredible journey so far, and I look forward to seeing where this path takes me next!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, being an artist is all about breaking free from the expected and exploring uncharted territories of creativity. Meaningful collaborations really fuel me and allow me to expand my own approach to my craft. A great example is an upcoming concert, “Resonance and Reflection,” where I’ll be sharing the stage with the incredibly talented genre-defying artists harpist Lyrika Holmes and the vocalist Mali Irene. We’re curating an evening filled with the fusion of traditional genres and artistic technology as we create a space of year-end reflection and holiday warmth, reimagining spirituals, carols, and holiday classics in our own way.

If readers want to check it out, mark your calendars for December 16th at 6 PM, and come join us at East Point City Hall!

More info at: https://bit.ly/CTSResonanceReflection

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Attending and supporting live music is a major way to foster a flourishing arts environment. As an artist, experiencing a live audience is a rejuvenating and deeply meaningful experience. Attending a concert live not only contributes to the vibrancy of performances but also shows tangible support for the artists and the creative community. Your presence matters and support is an action verb. If you can’t attend something in person, share news on social media and with family and friends, and, of course, donate to artists and nonprofits that make a meaningful impact. It’s the arts and artists, backed by community support, that always light the path to a better future.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://angelicahairston.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/angelharpist
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@angelharpistATL

Image Credits
Photographer: ELEY Photographer: Alphonso Whitfield