About Me
Calista Anne Koch started piano at a very young age. She continued her music studies by beginning the harp at age 10. By high school, she was playing five instruments proficiently. Full tuition scholarships were rewarded to her at both Interlochen and Florida State University. At Florida State, Calista Anne was principle harpist as she obtained her degree in Music Therapy with minors in Psychology, English and certification in Gerontology. Her post graduate work includes her completion of a Music Therapy internship, certifications in Gerontology and Babies Can't Wait and Suzuki Piano Apprenticeship. Calista Anne obtained her Masters in Harp Performance with an emphasis in Church Music in 2007 from Mercer University. She has performed publicly throughout the United States and has invitations to Asia and Europe. As well as being a teacher, Calista Anne has performed with the Detroit Symphony, the LaGrange Symphony, the Pensacola Symphony, the World Youth Symphony, and the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. Calista Anne has performed for two presidents, two vice presidents, several senators and congressmen, state governors, many mayors and other statesmen.
The PGA, many athletes, and notable musicians have been entertained by Calista Anne's music. Her specialty is weddings, and whether performing for the ceremony, reception, showers, or the rehearsal dinner, she prides herself on providing a level of service which guarantees any client's satisfaction. Indoor and outdoor weddings, receptions, corporate functions, religious events, private and business dinners, funerals and cocktail parties may all benefit from the presence of the artist and her classical style harp. With several extremely different harps to choose from: The Carbon Fiber Concert Grand, the Classical Concert Grand Harp, the Celtic Folk Harp, and the Renaissance Styled Antique Troubadour Harp, Calista Anne often performs at themed events.
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As for her teaching studio, students of Mrs. Calista's have performed with many youth orchestras, in competitions, and concerts. As the Professor of Harp at Mercer’s prestigious Townsend School of Music, Professor Koch’s students have had opportunities to perform soloistic, as well as part of small and large ensembles, including Opera, Wind Ensemble, and Orchestra. Many of her former students have gone on to perform both in national and international ensembles and as soloists. The former harp coach for the Metropolitan Symphony Youth Orchestra, Buckhead Youth Orchestra, she has been highly sought after for many years to instruct students in a wide variety of performance fields.
Now, as the harp coach for the Macon Youth Orchestra, students of Mrs. Koch’s have been awarded Concerto and solo performances as well as scholarships through the organization. She founded and has directed several harp ensembles including the now nationally recognized Middle Georgia Harp Ensemble. Students of Mrs. Calista have been awarded scholarships to college for both undergraduate and masters programs, music festivals, summer music camps, and have won national competitions, local and regional talent competitions, and pageants.
Calista Anne teaches both at her home and at Mercer University, where she ran the Mercer Music for Young People's program for many years. Students with special needs are welcome in this studio as Mrs. Calista has more than a decade of experience working closely with students with disabilities. If this applies to you or your child, please ask for more information!
