Joy Slavens grew up in Trappe, Maryland, and has lived in Sussex County, Delaware, with her husband, Tom, since 1988. She learned to play the piano at age seven, and has been giving lessons for more than twenty-five years. She is also a member of the National Guild of Piano Teachers.
After watching a harpist perform at a local church, Joy was fascinated by the unique instrument. She began taking lessons from Rebecca Smith of Crofton, Maryland, under whom she studied for eight years. Eventually she graduated to a concert pedal harp and began teaching harp lessons. Currently she teaches about 25 piano students and ten harp students.
Joy performs regularly on harp and piano and offers an extensive repertoire of music from many genres for any occasion. See "Services" for all that is available.
The Expressions of Joy harp ensemble was formed after Joy and three students performed together at a recital in 2013, and has grown to include an average of ten members. They perform together several times a year at local churches, historical events, and retirement homes.
Joy is music director of Centenary U.M. Church as of September 2021, which includes directing choir, planning specials, and helping in anyway she can.
Joy loves to create new arrangements of many styles of music. She writes original compositions and publishes her own music which is sold throughout the U.S. and has been favorably reviewed by Folk Harp Journal and Harp Column.
“Music is my passion,” Joy says, “and I am forever grateful to have been blessed with the gift of music. I find it to be rewarding that many others get to share in this gift through my music, or by learning for themselves.”
My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul. – Psalm 108:1