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 Glissando Program’s Impact
Medgina’s Story
12th Grade, Philadelphia High School for Girls (2019)
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Final Year, Temple University’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 Offerings in the Glissando Program
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.
Glissando by Numbers
Yearly, Lyra supports…
690+
free private lessons, presentations, and coachings per year
$35,000
per year spent in programming for Lyra students
$0
cost to student families
1:1
student-teacher ratio
Over 20+ Years, Lyra has achieved…
100%
100% of our graduates attend college, university, or conservatory.
4,200+
total students reached in harp presentations
$400,000
total given in awards and support from Lyra to students and alumni
Lyra’s Student Diversity
Students Ages 11-18 | Grades 6-12
Affiliated Schools
Central High School
Girard Academic Music Program
Julia R. Masterman School
Northeast High School
Philadelphia High School for Girls
Theatre Arts Production Company School (partnership with Midori and Friends)
How Glissando Works:
1. School Partnerships & Liaisons: Lyra partners with a school in Philadelphia or Bronx School District. Lyra assigns a teaching artist to the school who reaches out to school’s music teacher to schedule a presentation and an audition for students to join the Glissando! Program
2. Presentation & Audition Sign-Up: Lyra teaching artists/staff give presentation to students to gauge harp lesson interest and students sign up for our audition process with school’s music teacher.
3. 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
4. Student Selection: Lyra selects students based on their interaction with the student and their written essay. Selected students are notified, a harp(s) are put into the school, and teachers work with students and 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 & Masterman Middle & High School
About Maryanne
Medgina Maitre, Co-Teaching Artist
Central High School
About Medgina
Katie Ventura, Co-Teaching Artist
Central High School
About Katie
Website: VenturaHarp.com/
Helen Gerhold, Executive Director & Teaching Artist
All Schools, substitute
About Helen
Website: HelenGerhold.com