Kathryn Heinen
VOICE
Kathryn Heinen's music career began nearly two decades ago on a piano at a small music school similar to Charlotte Academy of Music. Her interest grew to include school choir and band, and eventually membership in the selective Ithaca Children's Choir. Kathryn's affiliation with this private music school shaped her interest in singing and choral conducting and she hopes to provide the same opportunity for her students.
A native of Ithaca, NY, Kathryn earned both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Vocal Music Education at the Ithaca College School of Music. Kathryn now enjoys living in Charlotte, where she is the Choral Director at East Mecklenburg High School, directing all of the school’s choral ensembles including Chamber Choir, Women’s Ensemble, Concert Choir and Chorus. She prepares students for the NC Allstate Choirs and helps student shape their auditions for the NC Honors Chorus. Kathryn also directs and produces East Meck’s annual Music Revue performance. This year, she directed a revue of American music from the Swing Era to Hip Hop.
Kathryn’s experience has ranged from teaching music classes to toddlers through supervising undergraduate student teachers; additionally, some of her most cherished teaching moments have been while teaching music lessons to students with autism. At Little Falls Middle and High Schools in upstate New York, she conducted and rehearsed the High School Concert Choir, High School Jazz Choir and Middle School Choruses. There she also prepared students for the NY State School Music Association Solo Festival, as well as All-County and All-State Choral Festivals. Kathryn also served as Vocal Music Director for the Spring Musical, Once Upon a Mattress.
In private voice lessons, Kathryn believes in encouraging healthy vocal technique and good musicianship through proper breathing, phrasing, diction and musical context. As an educator, Kathryn prides herself on a multidimensional approach to teaching that allows her to connect with each student individually. Though classically trained, she is comfortable teaching a wide variety of repertoire as it appeals to her students. Kathryn's affiliations with The National Association for Music Educators (MENC) and the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) enable her to stay current with music education research and provide additional opportunities for her private students.
In her free time, Kathryn enjoys cooking, hiking and exploring Charlotte with her husband, John, and puppy, Lila.
