Heather Schmidt, Piano

Biography

Dr. Heather Schmidt, pianist and composer, is recognized as one of the most talented, exciting and versatile musicians of her generation. She has received international acclaim through performances, broadcasts, commissions and awards in Canada, the United States, France, Germany, Switzerland, Poland, the Czech Republic, England, Finland, Iceland, Mexico, and Brazil.

Originally from Calgary, Alberta, Heather began piano lessons at age four and composing at the age of five. Following her formative studies at the Academy of Music at Mount Royal in Calgary, she received her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from Indiana University with double majors in composition and piano performance. At the age of 21, she became the youngest student to ever receive a Doctor of Music degree from that institution. She subsequently completed two years of professional studies in composition and piano at Juilliard in New York City.

Heather made her first public appearance at age six and has performed extensively ever since. Throughout her education and musical career, she has received numerous awards and scholarships for her performances of both standard and contemporary repertoire. Awards include First Prize in the 2001 Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition, and First Place, the Audience Choice Award, and the Maestro's Choice Millennium Foundation Award at the 2000 Canadian Concerto Competition.

As a composer, Heather won her first award at the age of six, and she has since won many prestigious national and international prizes in composition. These include a Juno nomination in the category of "Best Classical Composition" (2003), prizewinner of the Polytech Choir's 100th Anniversary Composition Competition (Finland, 2003), three consecutive BMI Awards (1993, 1994, 1995), SOCAN Composer Awards (1994, 1997), a Fleck Fellow from the Banff Centre (2001), the Zwilich Prize in the International League of Women Composers Competition (1994, 1996), the Dean's Composition Prize at Indiana University (1993, 1994) and the 1994 Robert Fleming Prize from Canada Council. She has received commissions from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Canada Council, the Alberta Foundation, Westdeutsches Rundfunk in Germany, the Elaine Kaufman Cultural Center, the New York State Council for the Arts, and the Harvard Musical Association.

Ms. Schmidt is also active as a chamber musician, and has established an exciting duo partnership with renowned Canadian cellist Shauna Rolston. Current and upcoming commercial CD recordings of Heather's performances and compositions include releases on several labels, including CBC, CMC Centrediscs, Marquis (EMI Canada), and Naxos.

In addition to performance and composition, Ms. Schmidt is also committed to teaching and education. As a visiting guest artist, she has given many lectures, master classes and private lessons at conservatories and universities throughout North America and abroad. She is the founder and Executive Director of the Optimal Performance Institute in Dallas, Texas, where she currently resides.