About Us

The Core Beliefs of AFTH

Our Mission

Artz for the Harp is a nonprofit public benefit organization. Our mission is to provide harps for lessons, harp music enrichment and music therapy programs to students of all ages, who need us most, to foster a positive creative outlet of artistic expression, to students through contemporary music experiences, while strengthening communities.

Our Vision:

Artz for the Harp, firmly believes, music education is an indispensable part to the development of the whole child, and that all children should be provided access to the emotional, social, physical and intellectual benefits of music. We furthermore believe, music has the ability to heal and provides a positive outlet of self-expression through the arts, while creating growth in the areas of self-esteem, responsibility, and discipline.

Our Values:

We will provide a music foundation to students of all ages with or without prior music training.

We will provide individual and group harp and music instruction developmentally appropriate for students’ current level.

We will nurture and foster creativity and provide outlets for artistic self-expression.

We will provide a safe and positive learning environment for all students of Artz for the Harp.

AFTH Smyrna Library Spring Break Camp

Lyrika Holmes

Biography

Lyrika Holmes is an internationally known harpist, singer, songwriter, composer, actress, teacher and founder of nonprofit arts school, “Artz for the Harp”. A classically trained harpist from St. Louis, MO, Lyrika has brought the harp into a futuristic world of electronic beats combined with r&b, jazz, pop, and classical elements to create a style all her own.

As a composer, and co-producer on many of her albums, her content is eclectic and unique. As a performer, Lyrika has toured the world as a solo artist and also had the honor of

touring throughout Asia with the world-renowned company Cirque Du Soleil, as their Kooza Soul Singer. Lyrika has also opened for several artists including: Kerri Hilson, Joe, Laura Izibor, Phil Perry and has played alongside some of the best, including Al Jarreau and the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin to name a few

In the media, Mrs. Holmes has also been featured on television stations throughout the southeast and the Midwest. She has graced the pages of Essence Magazine, Modern Luxury Brides, Interior Design, Skirt Magazine, Parent Magazine, and St. Louis Education to name a few. Lyrika is also the harpist for the Mayor’s Forever Young Ball, as well as other prominent events in the city of Atlanta for past Mayor Kasim Reed. As an actress, Lyrika has performed in several shows, including "Rimshot the Urban Musical". She has also been a featured harpist, on the television series “The Originals” , The Walking Dead, Coming 2 America 2, TNC and is frequently is cast to perform in series and movies filming in and around the Atlanta, GA area.

Sharing her passion as a harpist doesn’t stop with performance. Lyrika Holmes is also a certified teacher with her Associates Degree in the Arts (St. Louis Community College, Forest Park) Bachelors in Music Education (University of Missouri St. Louis) and her Masters in Music Education (University of Memphis) and over 20 years’ experience teaching music within the public and private sectors of education.

in 2003 Holmes started the first harp program in the state of Tennessee in Memphis City Schools. In 2011 she relocated to Georgia, where she continued the program in Rockdale County Schools. These experiences and the lack of harp enrichment in the public school sector, and for students in need, prompted her to create the nonprofit arts organization “Artz for the Harp”. ...providing a positive creative outlet of self-expression through contemporary music experiences while strengthening communities.”

Due to her dedication and diligence in the arts, Lyrika was selected as a 2021 recipient of the Georgia Governor's Awards in Arts & Humanities.

Through community partners, AFTH provides services and programs to youth & senior facilities throughout Georgia and the Southeast who currently lack music enrichment and music therapy opportunities.

By connecting with students on a contemporary level, Lyrika is able to provide a strong foundation in music, through the use of pop, r&b, hip hop, edm, jazz, country, and classical music. This melding of styles prompted her to write The Contemporary Harp Method Books which are used in conjunction with Artz for the Harp programming.

“… Music is the universal language…. we just have to find which one speaks to you, and in the end…I hope I will inspire others to step outside the box and try something new!” … (Lyrika Holmes, 2016) Recognized for her passion and dedication to students, Lyrika was honored with a sponsorship from Harpsicle Harps.

On stage, Lyrika’s fingers glide gracefully across the strings as she sings infectious melodies that both entertains and soothes her audiences. As a performing artist, Lyrika has created a new genre melding style of music that transcends the mind, body and soul. As a contemporary harp instructor, Lyrika gives the world a futuristic generation of harpists that seamlessly merge genres, connecting our past with our future.