Ghislaine Petit-Volta studied harp with Brigitte Sylvestre, Pierre Jamet, Gérard Devos and Christian Lardé at the Paris CNSMD - Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse - where she obtained a First Harp Prize in 1981 and First chamber music Prize in 1982.

Regularly solicited by some of the greatest orchestras ; Paris Opera National Orchestra, French National Orchestra, Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra, Paris Orchestra, Paris Orchestral Ensemble, The Intercontemporary Ensemble, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Ghislaine Petit-Volta plays under the direction of masters such as Lorin Maazel, Sir Georg Solti, Seiji Ozawa, Riccardo Muti, Pierre Boulez, James Colon, Gary Bertini, Armin Jordan, Jeffrey Tate and Simon Rattle.

Open to every kind of expression, Ghislaine Petit-Volta takes part in many creations with the Ensemble Fa, Musique Oblique, Court Circuit, Festival de la Criée (Marseille/France), Festival d'automne (Paris/France) and cooperates with contemporary composers such as Claude Prey, Félix Ibarrondo, John Cage, Ton That Tiêt, Lindolfo Bicahilo, Eyrick Abecassis, Fineberg, Favio Daiban, Jean Marc Singier.

From 2002 to 2004, Ghislaine Petit-Volta tries out the musical theater universe with the Ensemble Choeur en Scène conducted by Emmanuelle Dubost with who she creates « Les Rechants du Mal Aimé », adapted from Guillaume Apollinaire's poem, set in music by Lindolfo Bicalho and played in France in the Alfortville Studio Theater, Massy and Ivry theaters and also during the Vaison-la-Romaine Festival.

Ghislaine Petit-Volta recorded several CD such as « Trouvères à la cour de Champagne » with the Venance Fortunat Ensemble (Harmonia Mundi), « Trios avec harpe » - Pierre Vellones works (REM), and « Pli selon Pli » under the direction of Pierre Boulez (Deutsche Grammophon).

In 2005, she founded the Antara Trio with Emmanuelle Ophèle (flute) and Odile Auboin (viola).

In 1990, she wrote for ARTE (french/german television channel) a TV film about Pierre Jamet, « Un siècle de harpe », directed by Michka Gorki.

Occupant of the professor C.A. (Certificat d'Aptitude) she teaches at the Paris CRR - Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional - and also at the Bourg-la-Reine/Sceaux CRD - Conservatoire à Rayonnement Départemental.