News & Events

Lenoir is known not only for being one of the most charming mountain towns in North Carolina, but for its vibrant arts and music scene. Founded in 2006, The James C. Harper School of Performing Arts is dedicated to delivering the finest quality of musical and performing arts instruction to the Caldwell County area. The school puts on numerous recitals, concerts, and workshops, in addition to individual and group classes for students of all age, skill levels, financial circumstances.

Since its inception, over 2,500 students have been enrolled in private lessons, group lessons, and outreach programs. The Harper School offers on-going enrollment for private lessons, which gives one the opportunity to sign up at any time of the year. Voice, musical instrument, and dance lessons are available in 30-minute, 45-minute, and 60-minute sessions. And it’s not just for children. The Harper Concert Band performs three to four times a year – and features 56 adults.

The Harper School on College Avenue also features George Figueroa’s Harper Chamber Music Academy, which was established in October of 2012. Locals can sign up for one-on-one coaching sessions from student teachers or even George himself! Tuition for the Chamber Music Academy is $240 for a one coaching hour a week. Instruments include violin, cello, and piano. The schedule for Chamber Music Semesters is as follows: September 15th-December 15th, January 16th-Match 15th, and March 16th-May 17th.

In the summertime, The Harper School holds two summer band camps: Intermediate Band Camp in July for seventh, eighth, and ninth grade students, and Beginner Band Camp for sixth grade students. Enjoy a concert at the end of each semester, chamber music festivals, and showcase performances from students. Recently ‘Home for the Holidays’ took place and included a music crawl in local host homes followed by a finale with performers, sweet treats, raffles, door prizes, and even a silent auction. Proceeds benefited the scholarship program for potential students in need of financial aid at the Harper School. For more information about the school or to enroll in lessons, call Karen Burton at 828-754-2297. Monthly payment plans are available.

The Harper School is conveniently located in Lenoir, home to one of the best gated communities near Asheville NC, our Coves Mountain River Club, and is just one of the many things residents can enjoy. After a long day of hiking along the Johns River, our residents can sit back, relax, and enjoy the 360-degree mountain view at the Pisgah Mountain Lodge facing the High Country mountain range. The lodge is the social hub of the community and where guest lectures, musical performances and cook-off competitions take place.

Equestrian enthusiasts who live in our community have access to Round Mountain Ranch. Our full service equestrian center offers boarding, private lessons and trail rides along the mountain-fed Johns River which originates at Grandfather Mountains. During the summer months, you’ll find residents taste testing in Evelyn’s Vineyard, one of our two community gardens in our community. It’s the perfect place to own a mountain home. 

Whether you prefer to ‘play’ at home or head off into town for a class or performance, you’ll never run out of things to do in Lenoir NC.

If you’re exploring the area for the first time, ask for our 70 page complimentary Western North Carolina Visitor’s Guide which provides more information about living in the foothills.