Janelle Lake

Top Performer

Chicago, IL

$500 and up

Travels up to 120 miles

Get a free quick quote
Promotional video thumbnail 1 for Janelle Lake

What a Wonderful World

Promotional video thumbnail 2 for Janelle Lake

Here Comes the Sun

Gallery photo 1 of Janelle Lake
Gallery photo 2 of Janelle Lake
Gallery photo 3 of Janelle Lake
Gallery photo 4 of Janelle Lake
Gallery photo 5 of Janelle Lake
Gallery photo 6 of Janelle Lake
Gallery photo 7 of Janelle Lake
Gallery photo 8 of Janelle Lake
Gallery photo 9 of Janelle Lake

Overview

Harp Music for Weddings, Private Events, Parties, Funerals, orchestral work, flute and harp music, harp and cello music, flute, harp and cello music.


Reviews

47 reviews

Small thumbnail image for reviewer Tamyra D.

Tamyra D.

March 29, 2026
Verified review

Astonishing

Janelle was the highlight of my dinner. Thank you for everything!

Hired as: Harpist


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Dan H.

Dan H.

December 15, 2025
Verified review

Janelle is a joy to work with!!

Janelle and her students were outstanding for our Live Nativity. So many people were moved by the beautiful playing next to the Stable. Thank you!!

Hired as: Harpist


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Amanda M.

Amanda M.

July 14, 2025
Verified review

Incredible Talent and Lovely Kindness

Janelle is a remarkably talented harpist. She gifted us with her skill during our Cocktail hour, and her music made the hour absolutely magical! She has a set of gorgeous songs in her repertoire, but she also took several video game song requests from my husband and I, and played them so beautifully. We received so many compliments on her gorgeous music, and are incredibly grateful for all of her kindness in the process of planning and communication leading up to our wedding , thank you again so much!

Hired as: Harpist


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Heidi O.

Heidi O.

December 4, 2024
Verified review

A consummate professional!

Janelle is incredibly talented and having her at the party was a delight. From the music selections to her lovely personality, I would recommend her to anyone considering adding live entertainment to an event or celebration!

Hired as: Harpist

Small thumbnail image for Janelle Lake

Janelle Lake

Thank you Heidi! What a joy it was to see a warm group of friends celebrating your mother!


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Susan N.

Susan N.

October 18, 2024
Verified review

Plays the harpist beautifully

Janelle did a great job and played beautifully during our wedding ceremony last weekend. She is so talented and knows how to play all different genres. Definitely recommend to book her for your next event!!

Hired as: Harpist

Small thumbnail image for Janelle Lake

Janelle Lake

Thank you Susan! Your wedding was stunningly beautiful!

Write a review

Booking information

Price range: $500 and up

Languages: English, German

Gig length: 10 - 600 minutes

Insurance: $1,000,000 - COI

Unions: AFM

What to expect

Janelle knows the questions to ask to ensure her live music flows around each event. Whether she’s imagining processional order to time grand entrances at a wedding, or working quickly to honor a loved one’s memory at a funeral, or security clearance and return details for private jet performance, Janelle loves each unique event.
Janelle always has amplification on hand if needed and can read body language as pertaining to music volume.
Using her ipad to read sheet music, Janelle can play almost anything from Bach to Beyoncé.

About

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 classically trained musicians of the north side of Chicago with the 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, Barnard, Yale, Wellesley, Oxford, Oregon State, Michigan State, 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 (phone number hidden)6, 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. Recently, 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 loves being a wife and a mother of two.

Additional booking notes

The harp requires a 4X4’ flat surface.

Direct sunlight exposure for a prolonged period damages the harp, so the harp needs shade.

Due to the expensive nature of the instrument, the harp cannot get wet.

Services offered

Upcoming booked events

September 2026

05

Saturday

Baby Shower

12:00pm - 3:00pm

Winnetka, IL

Past booked events

May 2026

17

Sunday

Wedding Ceremony

1:30pm - 4:30pm

Plymouth, IN

March 2026

28

Saturday

Birthday Party

7:00pm - 8:00pm

Chicago, IL

December 2025

14

Sunday

Nonprofit Event

2:00pm - 8:00pm

Naperville, IL

August 2025

30

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

2:30pm - 3:30pm

Itasca, IL

July 2025

12

Saturday

Wedding Reception

6:00pm - 7:00pm

Itasca, IL

December 2024

03

Tuesday

Birthday Party

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Chicago, IL

October 2024

25

Friday

Funeral/Memorial Service

4:00pm - 8:00pm

Barrington, IL

12

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

3:00pm - 4:00pm

Oak Brook, IL

August 2024

17

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

12:30pm - 2:30pm

Valparaiso, IN

May 2024

07

Tuesday

Cocktail Party

3:00pm - 4:00pm

Chicago, IL

04

Saturday

Nonprofit Event

11:30am - 1:00pm

Chicago, IL

April 2024

09

Tuesday

Corporate Event

4:00pm - 8:00pm

Des Plaines, IL

March 2024

19

Tuesday

Nonprofit Event

11:00am - 12:00pm

Oak Park, IL

February 2024

17

Saturday

Children’s Birthday Party

5:00pm - 7:00pm

Homer Glen, IL

December 2023

13

Wednesday

Corporate Event

3:00pm - 5:00pm

Chicago, IL

November 2023

11

Saturday

Baby Shower

6:00pm - 7:30pm

Chicago, IL

October 2023

14

Saturday

Birthday Party

6:00pm - 7:30pm

Downers Grove, IL

08

Sunday

Wedding Ceremony

4:00pm - 5:30pm

Frankfort, IL

June 2023

24

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

3:00pm - 5:00pm

Milwaukee, WI

17

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

4:00pm - 6:00pm

Chicago, IL

09

Friday

Wedding Cocktail Hour

5:00pm - 7:00pm

Lake Forest, IL

03

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

4:30pm - 6:30pm

Hobart, IN

May 2023

20

Saturday

Dinner Party

7:00pm - 8:00pm

Oak Brook, IL

14

Sunday

Easter Party

11:00am - 12:30pm

Blue Island, IL

06

Saturday

Baby Shower

11:00am - 12:30pm

Chicago, IL

March 2023

18

Saturday

Wedding Reception

7:00pm - 8:00pm

Lombard, IL

16

Thursday

Corporate Event

1:00pm - 3:00pm

Chicago, IL

12

Sunday

Birthday Party

5:30pm - 6:30pm

Chicago, IL

February 2023

11

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

5:00pm - 6:00pm

Chicago, IL

November 2022

26

Saturday

Wedding Reception

6:00pm - 7:00pm

Chicago, IL

October 2022

22

Saturday

Wedding Reception

4:00pm - 6:00pm

Wheeling, IL

13

Thursday

Corporate Event

6:00pm - 7:30pm

Chicago, IL

09

Sunday

Baby Shower

11:30am - 2:30pm

Clarendon Hills, IL

September 2022

04

Sunday

Wedding Ceremony

6:00pm - 7:00pm

Chicago, IL

August 2022

06

Saturday

Baby Shower

5:30pm - 6:30pm

Whiting, IN

July 2022

24

Sunday

Baby Shower

1:00pm - 4:00pm

Glenview, IL

June 2022

25

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

6:00pm - 7:30pm

Lisle, IL

April 2022

16

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

3:30pm - 4:30pm

Holland, MI

February 2022

20

Sunday

Wedding Ceremony

3:00pm - 4:00pm

Joliet, IL

January 2022

16

Sunday

Wedding Reception

4:30pm - 5:30pm

Joliet, IL

December 2021

17

Friday

Funeral/Memorial Service

10:30am - 12:30pm

Hinsdale, IL

October 2021

09

Saturday

Cocktail Party

6:00pm - 7:00pm

Oak Brook, IL

03

Sunday

Bridal Shower

12:30pm - 2:30pm

Milwaukee, WI

August 2021

31

Tuesday

Funeral/Memorial Service

1:00pm - 3:00pm

Country Club Hills, IL

July 2021

11

Sunday

Wedding Ceremony

4:00pm - 5:00pm

Chicago, IL

April 2021

24

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

3:00pm - 5:30pm

Des Plaines, IL

09

Friday

Funeral/Memorial Service

10:00am - 10:45am

Elk Grove Village, IL

October 2020

29

Thursday

Cocktail Party

6:00pm - 8:30pm

Chicago, IL

September 2020

06

Sunday

Wedding Ceremony

3:00pm - 4:00pm

Prospect Heights, IL

July 2020

17

Friday

Wedding Ceremony

4:30pm - 6:00pm

Lemont, IL

14

Tuesday

Funeral/Memorial Service

10:00am - 10:30am

Berwyn, IL

February 2020

14

Friday

Holiday Party

8:00am - 10:00am

Chicago, IL

November 2019

02

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

5:30pm - 8:30pm

Chicago, IL

September 2019

07

Saturday

Religious Celebration

10:00am - 11:00am

Naperville, IL

June 2019

15

Saturday

Wedding Cocktail Hour

7:00pm - 8:30pm

Chicago, IL

04

Tuesday

Funeral/Memorial Service

7:00pm - 8:00pm

Chicago, IL

May 2019

17

Friday

Wedding Ceremony

6:00pm - 8:00pm

Hinsdale, IL

October 2018

27

Saturday

Wedding Reception

7:00pm - 8:00pm

Oakbrook Terrace, IL

September 2018

15

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

1:00pm - 3:00pm

Portage, IN

December 2017

20

Wednesday

Concert

7:30am - 10:00am

Chicago, IL

17

Sunday

Birthday Party

5:00pm - 7:30pm

Tinley Park, IL

07

Thursday

Corporate Event

12:00pm - 3:00pm

Naperville, IL

August 2017

05

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

4:00pm - 5:30pm

Oswego, IL

July 2016

17

Sunday

Wedding Ceremony

3:00pm - 9:00pm

Chicago, IL

June 2016

26

Sunday

Anniversary Party

2:00pm - 4:30pm

Naperville, IL

February 2016

06

Saturday

Dinner Party

7:00pm - 10:00pm

Mettawa, IL

October 2015

24

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

3:00pm - 3:45pm

Munster, IN

September 2015

05

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

5:30pm - 7:00pm

North Chicago, IL

June 2015

13

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

5:30pm - 6:30pm

Bridgman, MI

March 2014

09

Sunday

Birthday Party

5:00pm - 11:00pm

Highland, IN

November 2013

21

Thursday

Luncheon/Tea

2:00pm - 3:00pm

Oak Park, IL

September 2013

14

Saturday

Funeral Service

11:30pm - 1:00am (Sun)

Zion, IL

June 2013

09

Sunday

Bridal Shower

12:00pm - 1:30pm

Mundelein, IL

Set list

Top Wedding Processionals
Canon in D, Johann Pachelbel
At Last, Etta James
Can't help falling in love, George David Weiss
Here Comes the Sun, George Harrison
Something, Beatles
Moon River, Henry Mancini
Landslide, Fleetwood Mac
What a Wonderful World, George David Weiss
Falling Slowly, Glen Hansard
Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve
Angelus, Renie
Your Song, Elton John
A Time for Us, Nino Rota
Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Iz
La Vie en Rose, Louiguy
Perfect, Ed Sheeran
If It’s Magic, Stevie Wonder
Thousand Years, Christina Perri
Into the West (Lord of the Rings), Walsh, Shore, Lennox

Disney
Beauty and the Beast, Alan Menkin
When you wish upon a Star, Leigh Harline
Married Life, (‘Up’), Michael Giacchino
Under the Sea, (Little Mermaid) Alan Menkin
Can you feel the Love Tonight, (Lion King)
Colors of the wind (Pocahontas), Alan Menken
A Dream is a Wish your Heart Makes, (Cinderella)Jerry Livingston
Little April shower (Bambi), Larry Morey
Little Black Rain Cloud (Winnie the Pooh), Robert B Sherman
Part of your World (Little Mermaid), Alan Menken
A Whole new World (Aladdin)
Some Day My Prince Will Come (Snow White)
Rainbow Connection, Paul Williams
Let it Go (Frozen),
Do you Want to Build a Snowman (Frozen)
Into the Unknown (Frozen II)
Circle of Life (Lion King)
How Far I’ll Go (Moana)
Egg (Finding Nemo)
Touch the Sky (Brave)
Remember Me (Coco)
I See the Light (Tangled)
You’ll Be in My Heart (Tarzan)

Musicals and Classics
Summertime, Gershwin
American in Paris and Rhapsody in Blue, Gershwin
Angel of Music (‘Phantom of the Opera’), Andrew Lloyd Webber
April Showers, Louis Silvers
At Last, Etta James
As Time Goes By, Herman Hupfield
Can't help falling in love, George David Weiss
Unchained Melody, Righteous Brothers
Try to Remember, (the fantasticks)
They Were you, (the "fantasticks)
Think of Me (‘Phantom of the Opera’), Andrew Lloyd Webber
Tea for Two, Vincent Youmans
Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head, Burt Bacharach
Way You look Tonight, Jerome Kern
Ain’t Misbehavin’, Thomas “Fats” Waller
Somewhere in Time, John Barry
Begin the Beguine, Cole Porter
People (Funny Girl), Barbara Streisand
On My Own (Les Miserables),
My Favorite Things (Sound of Music), Richard Rogers
Music of the Night (Phantom of the Opera), Andrew Lloyd Webber
Misty, Errol Garner
Memory (Cats), Andrew Lloyd Webber
What a Wonderful World, George David Weiss
Lara’s Theme, Maurice Jarre
Killing Me Softly with His Song
Autumn Leaves, Johnnie Mercer
Fly Me to the Moon, Frank Sinatra
Some Enchanted Evening (South Pacific), Richard Rodgers
Someone to Watch Over Me, Gershwin
Sound of Music, Richard Rogers
Edelweiss (Sound of Music), Richard Rogers
Bewitched (Pal Joey),
Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man,
Chances Are
Autumn Leaves, Mercer
But Not for Me
Fascination, F.D. Marchetti
Embraceable You, Gershwin
Don’t Get Around Much Anymore, Duke Ellington
Stardust, Hoagy Carmichael
Fascinating Rhythm, Gershwin
They Can’t Take That Away from Me, Gershwin
Chicago, Fred Fisher
My Funny Valentine, Richard Rodgers
Georgia on My Mind, Hoagy Carmichael
I Get a Kick Out of You, Gershwin
They Can’t Take That Away From Me

Relaxing Classics
Annie’s Song, John Denver
Just the Way You Are, Billy Joel
Hallelujah, Leonard Cohen
Eight days a week, John Lennon
Eleanor Rigby, John Lennon
I will, John Lennon
In my life, John Lennon
Here Comes the Sun, George Harrison
The Wind Beneath My Wings, Jeff Silbar
I Will Always Love You, Whitney Houston
Breathe, Anna Nalick
M*a*s*h, Mike Altman
May It Be, Enya (from “Lord of the Rings”)
Hey Jude, Paul McCartney
Angel, Sarah Mclaughlan
Across the Universe, John Lennon
Somewhere out there, Linda Ronstadt
Send in the Clowns, Stephen Sondhein
She’s Leaving Home, Beatles
Let it Be, Beatles
My Heart Will Go On, James Horner
Moondance, Van Morrison
Moon River, Henry Mancini
Longer, Dan Fogelberg
Lovin’ You, Minnie Ripperton Rudolph
I’ll Be There, Berry Gordy
The Long and Winding Road, Beatles
Take Me Home Country Roads,
Desperado, Don Henley
Wonderful Tonight, Eric Clapton
The Notebook, Aaron Zigman
Yesterday, Beatles
And I Love Her, Beatles
And So it Goes, Billy Joel
Through the eyes of Love (Ice castles), Marvin Hamlisch
Nights in White Satin, Justin Hayward
Surfer Girl, Beach Boys
Buongiorno Principessa (Life is Beautiful)
Fields of Gold, Sting
Have I Told You Lately, Van Morrison

Pop/Rock/R&B/Jam
Love, CKAY
Runaway, Kanye West
Without Me, Halsey
Lovin’ You (Is Easy ‘Cause You’re Beautiful), Minnie Riperton
Wrecking Ball, Miley Cyrus
Purple Rain, Prince
Bad Romance, Lady Gaga
Paparazzi, Lady Gaga
Under the Bridge, Red Hot Chili Peppers
Stairway to Heaven, Led Zepplin
Set Fire to the Rains, Adele
‘81, Joanna Newsom
Peach, Plum, Pear, Joanna Newsom
Love Story, Taylor Swift
Clocks, Coldplay
Yellow, Coldplay
Viva la Vida, Coldplay
Home, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
Get Lucky, Daft Punk
Waste, Phish
Box of Rain, Grateful Dead
Fireflies, Owl City
Halo, Beyoncé
Love on Top, Beyoncé
Crazy in Love, Beyoncé
Satisfied (Hamilton)
Silly Love Songs, Paul McCartney
Love Yourself, Justin Bieber
Despacito, Justin Bieber
Love and Some Verses, Iron and Wine
Zombie, Cranberries
Dreams, Cranberries
Cheap Thrills, Shia
Mad World, Gary Jules
You Are the Best Thing, Ray LaMontagne
All of Me, John Legend
Daydreaming, Radiohead
Focus, H.E.R.
Sailor Moon
Kal Ho Naa Ho
Marry You, Bruno Mars
Stay with Me, Sam Smith
Happy, Pharrell Williams
Havana, Pharrell Williams, Young Thug
Chasing Cars, Snow Patrol
Runaway, Kanye West
Crazy, Gnarles Barkley
Theme from ‘The Office’
If It’s Magic, Stevie Wonder
I Just Called to Say I Love You, Stevie Wonder
Merry Go Round of Life (Howl’s Moving Castle)

Video Game
Zelda’s Lullaby
Final Fantasy VII
Battle Chef

Christian
So Be Ye Kind,
The Prayer, Josh Groban
Simple Gifts, Shaker
Amazing Grace
How Great Thou Art
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
On Eagle’s Wings

Classical/ Romantic/ Opera
Pavane, Ravel
Pavane, Faure
O, mio bambino caro, Giacomo Puccini
Fur Elise, Beethoven
First Arabesque, Claude Debussy
Clair de Lune, Claude Debussy
Dreaming of You, Rhett Barnwell
Prelude in C, J.S. Bach
Cello Suite No. 1, J.S. Bach
Jupiter, Holst
Concerto in B Flat, Handel
Nataliana, Deborah Henson-Conant
Nightingale, Deborah Henson-Conant
Minstrel’s Adieu to His Native Land, Thomas
The Godfather III, Mascagni
Never Ending Road, Loreena McKennitt
Penelope’s Song, Loreena McKennitt
My Inner Voice, Roxanna Monsanto

Celtic
Danny Boy
The Banks of the Roses
My Guiding Star
Blind Mary
Brigid O'Malley
The Wild Geese
Gaelic Melody
Star of the Country Down

Influences and inspiration

Bach to Beyoncé; Mahler to Bad Bunny; Royal Prince of Denmark’s Theme to Prince; Gershwin to Taylor Swift; Debussy to Disney
My influences are vast!

Setup requirements

A chair

Check out these featured profiles

Erin Hill - Harpist & Singer

5.0 (47)
48 Verified bookings

  • New York City, NY
  • Harpist
  • $1,000 and up

Deborah S. said “I was lucky enough to have Erin play at my birthday party on June 5th. She went above and beyond to make the day special! Her harp playing is world class, and her voice is knock-your-socks-off... ”
Featured

Serenade Events

4.20 (143)
357 Verified bookings

  • Phoenix, AZ
  • String Quartet
  • $150-$1,500

Macy M. said “The string trio created the perfect ambiance for my Grandfather's funeral. Everyone who walked through the visitation line complimented how beautiful the music was. I will definitely hire Serenade... ”
Featured

IL Suono Music Agency

4.89 (32)
53 Verified bookings

  • Chicago, IL
  • Pianist
  • Contact for rates

Melissa C. said “Boris was a wonderful pianist and added a perfect element to our holiday event. Super elegant and professional. ”
Featured

Drew Wiegman

5.0 (14)
Top Performer
11 Verified bookings

  • Wonder Lake, IL
  • Cellist
  • Contact for rates

Lynn S. said “Drew was everything we hoped for and more. His music 🎶 was moving, entertaining and uplifting!!!! He mesmerized the audience and the county club we had the celebration has already booked him for... ”