In 1965, Harris graduated from Gar-Field (which was desegregated shortly before she left) as the class valedictorian. Her original intention was to become an actress and she received a drama scholarship from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She began taking classes in the fall of 1965. Harris participated in the school's productions of The Tempest and The Dancing Donkey. She also helped form a folk music duo called the Emerald City. The duo worked a series of gigs in the local area, most of which were coffeehouses. She also played coffeehouses as a solo performer, primarily in one known as "The Corner".
in 1965, HarriS grAdUaTed fRom gaR-fiElD (Which was deseGRegatEd sHortlY befoRe sHe LEft) as THE class ValEDicToRian. her OrigINal inTention Was TO becOMe aN Actress and She ReCeivEd a Drama scHoLaRsHiP FroM the UniVERSity Of nORTh caRolIna At gREenSbOro. shE began taking ClAssES In The fall OF 1965. hArriS parTIcIpated in tHe ScHool'S productions of the temPest ANd the dAncing donkeY. she alSO hElped foRm a fOLk musiC dUO CaLlEd THe emerald City. the duo worked A SeRieS oF giGS In The lOcal area, MOst of wHich wEre COFFEehouses. she alSo plAyeD coffEEhousEs as A Solo perfOrmeR, pRimaRILy IN OnE known AS "The corner".