JANELLE LAKE
www.JanelleLake.com
Meet Janelle Lake
Janelle Lake delights in using music to connect people. As the founder and manager of the Southwest Chicago Symphony Orchestra, her current passion project is uniting the traditionally classically trained musicians of the north side of Chicago with the traditional gospel-trained musicians of the south side of Chicago.
In 2007, Janelle played the harp daily at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island meeting movie stars and political figures. She still freelances heavily around Chicago (Drake, Penninsula, Langham, etc.). Janelle has taught at Loyola University, the University of Chicago, Chicago’s WISH program, the Sherwood School at Columbia College, and the Music Connection, and has a large and diverse private studio. She is a registered Suzuki teacher. Her students have won multiple awards including scholarships to Brown University, first place at the Greater Chicago Chapter of the American Harp Society competition, Superior Ratings at the Illinois Federation of musicians’ Evaluations, Loyola’s Honors program, and multiple First Class Honors ratings from the Royal Conservatory of Music.
From 2008-2016, Janelle was the artistic director at Venus Harps. The connections she made at Venus took her on adventures: learning about looping from Tom Moth of Florence and the Machine, performing on a private jet, encouraging and teaching harpists around the world. This past year, Janelle played on stage with Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins), Billy Swan, and Perry Ferral (Jane’s Addiction).
Janelle holds principal harp positions with the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra and Southwest Symphony Orchestra and performs regularly with many other ensembles. She is a founding member of the Young Lake harp duet. Janelle loves to travel and has lived on a boat on the Great Barrier Reef, camped in the Serengeti, summited Mt. Kilimanjaro, dived with sharks in South Africa, swam in the world’s largest rooftop pool in Singapore, traveled by train across Europe, zip lined in Honduras, and has been to all 50 US states. Besides her passions of harp playing and travel, Janelle delights in being a wife and a mother of two young girls.
Testimonials
Learn to Play Harp
Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit.
John Steinbeck
Mrs. Lake currently teaches over 30 students in the Chicago area. She loves to teach all ages and levels as evidence by her three teaching posts at her private harp studio in the Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago near Halsted and 25th, Loyola University, and the Music Connection in Orland Park.
Mrs. Lake believes that whichever method makes the best music while remaining healthy for the player is the right method. She is a registered Suzuki teacher for harp books 1 through 5.
All lessons include theory, history, technical study, clear practice assignments, and encouragement.
Every member of the studio has the chance to participate in monthly studio classes, quarterly recitals, and other Midwestern events. Past student venues have included the Art Institute, Milwaukee’s Irish Fest, the Chicago Public Library, and the Second Presbyterian Church on Michigan Avenue.
Mrs. Lake’s private studio is in the near south side of Chicago in the Bridgeport neighborhood. Terms for private lessons are as follows:
- If lesson is canceled within 24 hours of the originally scheduled lesson, the payment is still required. Exceptions to this rule include only a diagnosed contagious disease; (at least two hours notice is required), whether that warrants a school closing, or a death in the family. Please call as soon as possible.
- Rescheduling must be done at least 24 hours before the originally scheduled lesson.
- Lessons do not transfer between quarters.
- Punctuality is important! Missed time will not be made up.
Payment Packages
Lessons will be paid according to a quarter system.
| Quarter | Length of Quarter |
| Winter | January 1 – March 30 (13 weeks) |
| Spring | April 1 – June 29 (13 weeks) |
| Summer | June 30 – September 2 (10 weeks) |
| Fall | September 3 – December 31 (16 weeks) |
Please choose the number and length of lessons that you would like to receive.
Rate: $60 for 60 minutes, $45 for 45 minutes, and $35.50 for 30 minutes. Studio class is $30 per quarter. For students under 18, the studio class fee is required.
Lesson Length and Rates
| Number of Lessons | 60 minute lessons | 45 minute lessons | 30 minute lessons |
| 6 lessons per quarter | $355 ($5 savings) | $270 ($5 savings) | $213 ($5 savings) |
| 9 lessons per quarter | $530 ($10 savings) | $405 ($10 savings) | $319.50 ($10 savings) |
| 12 lessons per quarter | $660 (one free lesson) | $495 (one free lesson) | $390.50 (one free lesson) |
Mrs. Lake accepts personal checks made out to Janelle Lake or cash.
Weekly lessons are recommended for all students to ensure continual progress, and are required for all beginners for the first 6 weeks. Mrs. Lake is currently accepting students ages four and up. No one is “too old” to play the harp.
Curriculum
Each lesson includes these components: Warm up / technical exercises, music review, rhythmic work, and a clear assignment for home practice. Mrs. Lake teaches music history, music theory, and harp maintenance in lessons.
How to Begin Harp Lessons
First, contact Janelle Lake to set up a trial lesson. During a trial lesson, you can see if the harp and harp lessons are feasible for you without being obligated to sign a package contract. Trial lessons are $30 for a 30 minute lesson with a free interview afterward. If you are in the middle of the quarter and you would like to start right away, once you secure the necessary books and supplies, you may pay for individual lessons until the next quarter begins.
Choosing a Harp
Choosing a harp is like choosing your first car. Most likely, you did not waltz into a car show room and pick out the first one you liked, or even worse… pick one out on the internet because it looked nice or was the cheapest car. You researched. You heavily weighed different pros and cons. You took it for a test drive. You consulted someone who knew more than you did about cars.
The better sounding the instrument that you choose, the more fun you will have with it and the more fun you have, the more you will want to use it. Luckily, you have one of the world’s best harp factories here in Chicago. Mrs. Lake regularly chooses harps for students. She has personally matched over seventy students with harps that they are all happy with.
It is important that you choose a harp that fits your body type, the musical style(s) that you wish to play, and your budget. In addition to the model, you should consider that each harp has its own personality. Since wood was living at one time, and harps are made out of wood, all harps sound different.
Small Harps
Also called lever harps, Troubadour harps, Folk harps, Celtic harps, Irish harps, Clarsachs, or Latin harps, are generally used to play folk, Celtic, or Latin music respectively. However, you are not limited to those types of music with small harps. Many small harps have similar string tension to pedal harps so that the transition (if desired later on) to a larger harp is not a difficult process. The main difference between small harps and pedal harps is that most small harps have levers to change the sharps and flats instead of pedals.
The harps are small enough for any adult to transport and any child to reach all of the strings and mechanisms. These harps are ideal for beginners as they are the most affordable option. See the links section at the bottom of this page for some major lever harp manufacturers and retailers websites.
Instrument, Strings, Accessories, and Music Resources
- Venus Harps, or W&W Musical Instrument Company Chicago, IL
- Lyon and Healy Harps, Chicago, IL
- Salvi Harps, Anaheim, CA
- Dusty Strings, Seattle, WA
- Thormahlen Harps, Corvallis, OR
- Blevins Harps, Grand Junction, CO
- Sylvia Woods Harp Center, La Crescenta, CA
- Vanderbilt Music Center, Bloomington, IN
- Virginia Harp Center, Midlothian, VA
- Triplett Harps, San Luis Obispos, CA
- Harp.com, Salt Lake City, UT
- The Harp Studio, Oswego, NY
- Classic Harps Northwest (Ayouama Harps)
- Harps International, Joliet, IL
- Suzuki Harp Information
- Teifi Harps, West Wales
* Janelle Lake holds no consistent preference for any harp company over another!
Publications
Links for Students (Extra Credit for visiting them!)
All lessons include theory, history, technical study, clear practice assignments, and encouragement.
Every member of the studio has the chance to participate in monthly studio classes, quarterly recitals, and other Midwestern events. Past student venues have included the Art Institute, Milwaukee’s Irish Fest, the Chicago Public Library, and the Second Presbyterian Church on Michigan Avenue.
Mrs. Lake’s private studio is in the near south side of Chicago in the Bridgeport neighborhood. Terms for private lessons are as follows:
- If lesson is canceled within 24 hours of the originally scheduled lesson, the payment is still required. Exceptions to this rule include only a diagnosed contagious disease; (at least two hours notice is required), whether that warrants a school closing, or a death in the family. Please call as soon as possible.
- Rescheduling must be done at least 24 hours before the originally scheduled lesson.
- Lessons do not transfer between quarters.
- Punctuality is important! Missed time will not be made up.
Payment Packages
Lessons will be paid according to a quarter system.
| Quarter | Length of Quarter |
| Winter | January 1 – March 30 (13 weeks) |
| Spring | April 1 – June 29 (13 weeks) |
| Summer | June 30 – September 2 (10 weeks) |
| Fall | September 3 – December 31 (16 weeks) |
Please choose the number and length of lessons that you would like to receive.
Rate: $60 for 60 minutes, $45 for 45 minutes, and $35.50 for 30 minutes. Studio class is $30 per quarter. For students under 18, the studio class fee is required.
Lesson Length and Rates
| Number of Lessons | 60 minute lessons | 45 minute lessons | 30 minute lessons |
| 6 lessons per quarter | $355 ($5 savings) | $270 ($5 savings) | $213 ($5 savings) |
| 9 lessons per quarter | $530 ($10 savings) | $405 ($10 savings) | $319.50 ($10 savings) |
| 12 lessons per quarter | $660 (one free lesson) | $495 (one free lesson) | $390.50 (one free lesson) |
Mrs. Lake accepts personal checks made out to Janelle Lake or cash.
Weekly lessons are recommended for all students to ensure continual progress, and are required for all beginners for the first 6 weeks. Mrs. Lake is currently accepting students ages four and up. No one is “too old” to play the harp.
Curriculum
Each lesson includes these components: Warm up / technical exercises, music review, rhythmic work, and a clear assignment for home practice. Mrs. Lake teaches music history, music theory, and harp maintenance in lessons.
How to Begin Harp Lessons
First, contact Janelle Lake to set up a trial lesson. During a trial lesson, you can see if the harp and harp lessons are feasible for you without being obligated to sign a package contract. Trial lessons are $30 for a 30 minute lesson with a free interview afterward. If you are in the middle of the quarter and you would like to start right away, once you secure the necessary books and supplies, you may pay for individual lessons until the next quarter begins.
Choosing a harp is like choosing your first car. Most likely, you did not waltz into a car show room and pick out the first one you liked, or even worse… pick one out on the internet because it looked nice or was the cheapest car. You researched. You heavily weighed different pros and cons. You took it for a test drive. You consulted someone who knew more than you did about cars.
The better sounding the instrument that you choose, the more fun you will have with it and the more fun you have, the more you will want to use it. Luckily, you have one of the world’s best harp factories here in Chicago. Mrs. Lake regularly chooses harps for students. She has personally matched over seventy students with harps that they are all happy with.
It is important that you choose a harp that fits your body type, the musical style(s) that you wish to play, and your budget. In addition to the model, you should consider that each harp has its own personality. Since wood was living at one time, and harps are made out of wood, all harps sound different.
Small Harps
Also called lever harps, Troubadour harps, Folk harps, Celtic harps, Irish harps, Clarsachs, or Latin harps, are generally used to play folk, Celtic, or Latin music respectively. However, you are not limited to those types of music with small harps. Many small harps have similar string tension to pedal harps so that the transition (if desired later on) to a larger harp is not a difficult process. The main difference between small harps and pedal harps is that most small harps have levers to change the sharps and flats instead of pedals.
The harps are small enough for any adult to transport and any child to reach all of the strings and mechanisms. These harps are ideal for beginners as they are the most affordable option. See the links section at the bottom of this page for some major lever harp manufacturers and retailers websites.
Instrument, Strings, Accessories, and Music Resources
- Venus Harps, or W&W Musical Instrument Company Chicago, IL
- Lyon and Healy Harps, Chicago, IL
- Salvi Harps, Anaheim, CA
- Dusty Strings, Seattle, WA
- Thormahlen Harps, Corvallis, OR
- Blevins Harps, Grand Junction, CO
- Sylvia Woods Harp Center, La Crescenta, CA
- Vanderbilt Music Center, Bloomington, IN
- Virginia Harp Center, Midlothian, VA
- Triplett Harps, San Luis Obispos, CA
- Harp.com, Salt Lake City, UT
- The Harp Studio, Oswego, NY
- Classic Harps Northwest (Ayouama Harps)
- Harps International, Joliet, IL
- Suzuki Harp Information
- Teifi Harps, West Wales
* Janelle Lake holds no consistent preference for any harp company over another!
Publications
Links for Students (Extra Credit for visiting them!)
Janelle is a staff member in the Department of Fine and Performing Arts at Loyola University Chicago. Her contact information is shown below:
Title/s: Instructor of Harp
Office #: MUND 174
Email: jlake1@luc.edu
SERVICES
Based in Chicago, Mrs. Lake performs primarily in the Midwest, and has performed across the country from Washington to Florida. She has even experienced playing harp on private jets. Offering a broad repertoire, from classical, to folk, to “pop”, to jazz, Mrs. Lake plays many diverse functions. With over 25 students, an orchestra career, a harp factory job, and her active freelance career, Janelle Lake books quickly. She advises you to contact her as soon as possible to inquire about your date. Generally, she books up to nine months in advance.
Janelle has a unique ability to provide services in a number of areas:
Weddings: Janelle Lake has more than 20 years of wedding experience in many different denominations. See WEDDINGS section below for more information to help coordinate your wedding.
Harp Lessons/Guidance in Purchasing a Harp: Janelle is a registered Suzuki harp teacher and is familiar with harps from several harp manufacturers. Click on “Harp Lessons/Guidance in Purchasing a Harp” for more information.
Special Events: Whether you are planning a tea, an engagement party, a religious service, a grand opening, a cocktail hour, a funeral, a dinner party, an anniversary party, a birthday party, or any other special function, Janelle Lake’s harp adds a touch of class and uniqueness that your guests will remember for a long time.
Recitals: Janelle Lake is available to play solo recitals or chamber music recitals. She is comfortable playing in front of any sized audience. A recital in a new space or home is a great way to bring life and guests into the building.
Outreach Programs: Mrs. Lake enjoys sharing her passion for music with all ages. Many people do not get the chance to get close to a harp. She has shared her harps with the Chicago Public Library programs; in interactive demonstrations for children and adults; the Elmhurst public school system, giving assemblies to elementary schools; inner city Chicago school music classes; countless nursing homes; numerous senior living facilities; and many other places.
Editing and Arranging: Did you hear a piece of music that you wanted to hear on harp, but it’s just not arranged for harp yet? If it is possible to play on the harp, Janelle Lake will find a way to do it. Are you trying to write for harp, and you have questions? Harpists will thank you for asking another harpist for editing tips. Please contact me.
WEDDINGS
Janelle can play almost any piece of music from Bach to Michael Jackson. She has played many types of weddings including Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Native American, Secular, and Commitment Ceremonies as well as for all types of nationalities and traditions. She knows the questions to ask to ensure a stress-free wedding ceremony.
You can listen to a sample of music by using the music player in the right hand sidebar of this page.
Hiring Janelle is an easy and enjoyable experience. Ceremony fees start at $450 and include: ♦ At least 30 minutes of prelude music as guests arrive ♦ All music for the ceremony ♦ 10 to 15 minutes of postlude music as needed ♦ Unlimited phone and e-mail consultations ♦ One in-person consultation (if desired) ♦ Janelle arrives at least 60 minutes prior to the ceremony ♦ Discounted rates for additional hours booked (call for details) ♦ Wireless amplification if needed.
OUTDOOR EVENTS
Janelle Lake plays her lever harp at outdoor weddings. Since there are more variable factors to an outdoor event, Mrs. Lake must know the following:
♠ What is the back up plan in case of inclement weather? (The harp cannot get wet at all. Mrs. Lake will need to cover the harp and seek shelter immediately in the event that precipitation could harm the harp. This includes blowing spray from fountains.) Also, the temperature must stay between 65 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit for the harp to remain glued and intact.
♠ Is there a 4′ by 4′ solid surface for Mrs. Lake to set up on? The harp cannot sit on top of grass, gravel, sand, dirt, or uneven cobblestone. She can bring her own large board if needed.
♠ What is the most direct route to get to the event? Sometimes she will need to wear special harp moving shoes if she needs to walk a long way.
♠ How will she be sheltered from the sun? The harp cannot sit in direct sunlight for an entire event.
WEDDING REHEARSALS:
Janelle Lake has more than twenty years of wedding experience. Wedding rehearsals are not necessary and are not included in her fee. She will allow plenty of time on the day of the wedding to speak to any members of the wedding party and the presiding officiant regarding details. However, if you would like to hire Janelle Lake to play for your rehearsal or rehearsal dinner, please contact her with your date and time to determine her availability.
LISTEN TO MUSIC SAMPLES AND WATCH PERFORMANCE VIDEOS
Event Inspiration
Wedding Samples
Commercial & Music Video
Education & Student Ensembles
