Emily Montoya Barnes

When you book me, you can expect more than beautiful live harp music, you can expect a smooth, stress-free experience from start to finish. Before your event, I'll work with you to understand the atmosphere you'd like to create and help you choose music that reflects your style. Whether you already have every song selected or would like recommendations, I'm happy to help create a musical program that's uniquely yours. I also welcome special song requests whenever possible with advance notice.

On the day of your event, I arrive at least 45 minutes before my scheduled start time to allow plenty of time for setup and coordination with your venue or event planner. Travel, setup, and takedown are all included in my fee, so there are no surprises. I provide my own amplification when needed.

Throughout your event, my goal is to provide elegant live music that enhances the atmosphere while allowing your guests to relax, celebrate, and enjoy the moment. From our first conversation to the final note, you can count on clear communication, dependable service, and a professional performance that helps make your event truly memorable.

Beautiful live harp music can transform an event into something truly unforgettable. I've been helping couples and event hosts create those moments for more than 20 years. After relocating to the Reno/Lake Tahoe area seven years ago, I've had the pleasure of performing throughout Northern Nevada and the Sierra Nevada for weddings, corporate events, private parties, holiday celebrations, and community events.

Whether you're looking for elegant classical music, contemporary pop, Broadway favorites, jazz standards, or something uniquely your own, I'll work with you to create the perfect soundtrack for your event. Whether you already have every song selected or would like recommendations, I'm happy to help design a musical program that reflects your vision. My goal is to make the planning process easy and enjoyable, so you can relax and focus on celebrating while I take care of the music.

I'm a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music and University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with degrees in Harp Performance and have performed as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral harpist throughout the United States and internationally. In addition to private events, I regularly perform with professional ensembles throughout Northern Nevada, bringing the same level of artistry and professionalism to every performance.

Repertoire includes:

Classical
Contemporary Pop
Broadway & Movie Music
Jazz Standards
Celtic & Traditional
Holiday Favorites

To ensure the best performance and protect the instrument, I ask that the following be considered:

A level performance area approximately 6' × 6' is needed for the harp, stand and bench.
For outdoor events, the performance area should be protected from direct sunlight, rain, and strong winds.
I provide my own battery-powered amplification system, so access to an electrical outlet is not required.
If your venue has specific parking, loading, or access instructions, please let me know in advance.

The harp is a beautiful but delicate instrument. As a general guideline, if weather conditions are uncomfortable for your guests, they are also likely to be unsafe for the harp. If there's any question about the venue or conditions, I'm always happy to discuss options ahead of time.