Jaymee Haefner

YAHS Faculty

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 and World Harp Congress, served on the executive committees for the American Harp Society, the 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), and will perform at One Harp World in Toronto in summer 2026. 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.