About Jaymee
An air of dreamy lyricism… interlocking melody lines with the deftness of a dancer’s footwork.
—Daniel Buckley, composer
Jaymee Haefner, Associate Professor of Harp and Director of Graduate Studies at the University of North Texas College of Music, has premiered new works for harp by several composers (Patterson, da Silva, Broberg, Schocker, and Libby Larsen) and has performed internationally (Hong Kong, New York City, New Orleans, Atlanta, Mexico, Czech Republic, Russia). She regularly writes for Harp Column and the The American Harp Journal, has published two books (The Legend of Henriette Renié and One Stone to the Building: Henriette Renié’s Life Through Her Works for Harp), and recently had her article about Henriette Renié published by the New Grove Dictionary of Music. She has released two CDs with Crimson Duo (violinist Matt Milewski; Crimson 2015, Renderings – A Musical Landscape for Violin and Harp 2019). Jaymee has served as treasurer for the World Harp Congress, serves on the American Harp Society Foundation Board and is an Editorial Board member for the American Harp Journal. She holds degrees from the University of Arizona (BM and MM) and Indiana University Jacobs School of Music (DM).
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
December, 2014
Historic Harps
Dallas Opera principal harpist donates three historic harps to UNT College of Music.