Lyrika Holmes- Atlanta Harpist Harpist from Smyrna, GA

Lyrika Holmes is an internationally known harpist, singer, songwriter, composer, actress, teacher and co-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. Lyrika also had the honor of touring throughout Asia with the world-renowned company Cirque Du Soleil, as their Kooza Soul Singer. Prior to this, Lyrika has opened for several artists including: Kerri Hilson, Joe, Laura Izibor, and Phil Perry and has played alongside some of the best, including the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin. In the media, Mrs. Holmes has also been featured on television stations throughout the southeast and the Midwest. She has also 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. She has also been a featured harpist on the television series “The Originals” and 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) bachelor’s in music education (University of Missouri St. Louis) and her master’s in music education (University of Memphis) and over 20 years’ experience teaching music within the public and private sectors of education. Because of her dedication to teaching an instrument rarely introduced in the urban communities, Lyrika pushed to open the first elementary harp program in the state of Tennessee with Memphis City Schools, and in Conyers, GA with Rockdale County Schools. Lyrika loved teaching the students, and the students loved the lessons so much, that it prompted her to start the nonprofit arts organization “Artz for the Harp”. The mission of AFTH is “to provide harps and harp instruction to students of all ages, who need us most, in order to provide a positive creative outlet of self-expression through contemporary music experiences while strengthening communities.” Through community partners, AFTH can provide their 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 AFTH 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. As of today, Lyrika Holmes has performed for thousands of events, including over 500 weddings worldwide. She is also praised as "The Most Sought After Wedding Harpist" for weddings and is featured in the Modern Luxury Brides Magazine.