Heather graduated from the Australian National University with Bachelor of Fine Arts, and started working as a music and art therapist. Heather comes from a creative and musical family, and she studied the flute from the age of 5. Heather developed a passion for performing and singing at an early age, and this passion has never left her. Heather holds postgraduate qualifications from the Australian Institute of Music, and also holds a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. Heather spent many years working as a vocalist as well as teaching vocals, song writing, stage craft, flute and guitar, teaching both privately and in schools.
Heather started her conducting career with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir under the tutelage of Dr Sarah Penika Smith. This fuelled her passion, and she went on to study Conducting at a postgraduate level with Dr Hans- Dieter Mitcatz. She has also completed 2 ABODA Conducting Courses. Heather is a highly skilled concert, choir and jazz band Musical Director with a particular passion for creating inclusive ensembles.
Heather is the long standing Musical Director of the Bundeena Community Music Association, which comprises the Community Band, the Ramshackle Orkestra (an inclusive world music ensemble) and a jazz and swing choir. She is also the current Musical Director of the River Road Orchestra. She has been the Musical Director and driving force behind many musical projects, including the Casablanca Big Band, The Naked Horns, Sweet Amarillo to name a few. She is the previous Musical Director of the Menai Community Singers, the Phoenix Recovery Singers, and the Mulawa Womens choir. Heather worked extensively and for a long time with Jonathon Welch AM with the Choir of Hard Knocks, and the Sydney Street Choir. Previous projects Heather has worked on include being AMD for Pinchgut Opera and SGLCs production of The Fairy Queen. She has co-written a Cabaret that was performed in the Marrickville Town Hall, and is currently writing a musical.
In 2013 and in 2014 Heather, in collaboration with Steve Rosse (Principle Tuba, Sydney Symphony Orchestra) put together the Sydney International Brass Festival, which was a festival of performance and teaching, involving musicians from all around the world.
