Department of Music
Dr. Elaine Atkins Harriss, Chair and Professor of Music at the University of Tennessee at Martin, is a pianist, flutist, and early childhood music specialist. She received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University and her Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.
Dr. Harriss is well-known for her accompanying and has extensive piano duo, duet, and eight-hand experience with her partner Allison Nelson. Elaine's flute performing includes 25 years as principal flutist with area orchestras, 18 years of chamber work with the University Trio, many solo recitals, and the premier of Sam Ewell's Ramble for Flute and String Orchestra.
To serve the musical needs of the community, Dr. Harriss maintains a precollege music studio, and for 18 years directed Kindermusik of Martin which served over 1,500 children birth through age seven. She was Director of Educational Standards and Professional Development for Kindermusik International of Greensboro, N.C., for many years and served as president of the International Kindermusik Educators Association from 1999-2003.
Dr. Harriss has taught over 50 workshops on five continents and has made presentations at meetings and conventions of the National Piano Pedagogy Conference, the Music Educators National Conference, the Kindermusik Educators Association, the Australian Kindermusik Educators Association, the Hawaiian International Conference on Arts and the Humanities, and the Tennessee Music Teachers Association. She was named Tennessee Music Teacher of the Year by the Tennessee Music Teachers Association and is a past president of that group. Dr. Harriss is also a past president of the Tennessee Federation of Music Clubs and an active member and past president of NFMC's Martin Philharmonic Music Guild.
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