The Glissando Program
About the Glissando Program
The Glissando Program (Glissando) is the core program of the Lyra Society. Established in 2007 by Elizabeth Hainen, Principal Harp of The Philadelphia Orchestra, Glissando provides harps, harp lessons, harp presentations, and college and financial aid counseling in schools at no cost to Philadelphia and Bronx School District students who have minimal access to music education.
Glissando is the leading model for secondary school harp programs in the world and the sole harp lesson provider for the Philadelphia School District. Because Lyra supports students through their developmental years and keeps in close contact with them as alums, our students have unmatched opportunities to connect with mentors and friends, develop confidence to define and reach their goals, and find their distinctive voices.
Watch the Glissando Program’s Impact
Medgina’s Story
12th Grade, Philadelphia High School for Girls (2019)
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Final Year, Temple’s Boyer School of Music (2023)
In 2024, Medgina asked to return as a teaching artist – of course, she was met with a resounding “YES!”
“Returning to Lyra as a teaching artist fills my heart with immense joy. I look forward to inspiring our young harpists, motivating them, and supporting them. I am excited to pass down the knowledge and the techniques that were given to me. I am looking forward to standing alongside them as they discover who they are, and watch them grow into thoughtful individuals ready to face the world fearlessly. – Medgina Maitre, Lyra Alumna & Teaching Artist
More Glissando Program Offerings
College & Financial Aid Guidance
Lyra students receive college and financial aid guidance from Lyra’s College & Financial Aid Committee. 100% of our students attend college, university or conservatory. View our college acceptance list here.
Philadelphia All-City Orchestra
Lyra holds auditions to select three to four students to play in All-City Orchestra. Students receive orchestral coaching and perform with the orchestra in Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center in March. For more info, click here.
Albert M. Greenfield All-City Orchestra Summer Academy
In partnership with The Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts, Lyra provides orchestral programming for the summer for our harp students, free of charge. For more info, click here.
Annual School Presentations
Lyra’s presentations expose thousands of students across the district to the harp and gauge interest for new prospective students for Lyra.
Ann Hobson Pilot Award
presented to an outstanding alum of the Lyra Society who completes a degree in music, demonstrates excellence in harp musicianship, pursues a professional career as a harpist, and champions cultural equity through music education. For more info, click here.
Jude Mollenhauer Fund
This fund ensures young people continue to experience the transformative powers of harp education. The gift honors Ms. Mollenhauer’s extraordinary 40+ years of dedication as an educator. For more info, click here.
Partnered Schools
Philadelphia School District
– Central High School
– Girard Academic Music Program (GAMP) – middle & high school
– J.R. Masterman School – middle & high school
– Northeast High School
– Philadelphia High School for Girls (Girls’ High)
In Partnership with Midori & Friends
– Theatre Arts Production Company School (TAPCO) – Bronx, NY
Annually, Lyra Supports…
690+
free private lessons, presentations, and coachings per year
$35,000
per year spent in programming for Lyra students
16 elite teaching artists & mentors
30 world-class harps for 30 students
6 public middle & high schools
$0
cost to student families
1:1
student-teacher ratio
Over 20+ Years, Lyra has achieved…
4200+
total students reached in harp presentations
100%
of our graduates attend college, university, or conservatory – many as first-generation students.
$400,000
given in awards & services from Lyra to students and alumni
Student Diversity on Average
Students ages 11-18 | Grades 6-12
How Do We Select Students?
1. Presentation & Interest Sign-Up: Lyra teaching artists give annual harp presentations to our partnered school students to gauge harp lesson interest and students sign up for our audition process with school’s music teacher.
2. Audition: Teaching artists hold an audition for the students. The audition includes a written essay on why they are interested in learning the harp and a mini-lesson with the teaching artist.
3. Student Selection: Lyra selects students based on their interaction with the teaching artist and their written essay. Selected students are notified, and teachers work with students and school music teachers to schedule lessons and additional programming.
Why the Harp?
Have you ever had the opportunity to sit behind a harp? When a child does, their posture straightens, matching the grace and elegance of the grand instrument. Lyra provides access to the mystical qualities of the harp and music education, which has been limited and historically reserved for the privileged.
Lyra is creating a diverse and inclusive community of harpists and music-lovers. With open arms and hearts, we welcome the unique talents of our promising young musicians, and empower them to enrich their lives and the lives they touch.
Glissando Teaching Artists
Maryanne Meyer
Director of Education & Teaching Artist
- Girard Academic Music Program
- J.R. Masterman School
- Northeast High School
Medgina Maitre
Teaching Artist & Alumna
- Central High School
- Philadelphia High School for Girls
Katherine (Katie) Ventura
Teaching Artist
Central High School
Helen Liu Gerhold
Executive Director & Teaching Artist
Substitute for various schools