Heather Kirkconnell
Work Experience
Children’s Music Director, The Presbyterian Church, Bowling Green, KY 2019-present
- Plan and rehearse choir and instrumental music for children ages 5-12, including monthly offerings of children’s voices to worship
- Organize music for youth, including handbells
- Volunteered to resurrect handbell group and recruited veteran and new ringers for special services and holidays
- Partnered with various staff members to expand leadership of children in the church and worship
Director of Music, Grace Episcopal Church, Newton, MA 2015-2019
- Planned and rehearsed music for weekly services and special services such as Evensong, Lessons and Carols, and Holy Week
- Grew music ministry through expansion of volunteer and professional choir, creation of instrumental ensembles, and children’s music ministry
- Partnered with Priest and Minister of Christian Formation in support of the many ministries of the congregation
Artistic Director, Woods Hole Cantata Consort, Woods Hole, MA 2017
- Rehearsed and conducted performances of Bach Cantata BWV 98 and Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Part I with amateur chorus and professional orchestra
- Performed fundraising outreach concert
Director of Music, First Congregational UCC, Elyria OH 2013-2015
- Provided vision, support, and direction in all aspects of worship and music
- Began new children’s music ministry open to anyone in the community
- Created new concert series in support of the food pantry
Private Music Teacher 2010-present
- Teach piano, organ, and music theory lessons, focusing on healthy technique and enjoyment of music
Organ Technician, Oberlin College, 2007-2011
- Maintained Conservatory organs under the supervision of the Organ Curator
Education
Diplôme de Perfectionnement from the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Versailles, France, 2011-2013
Bachelor’s of the Arts in French Oberlin College, May 2011
Bachelor’s of Music in Performance Organ Oberlin Conservatory, May 2011
Minor in Historical Performance Harpsichord
Skills
Dalcroze Eurythmics as applied to choral work, conducting, and teaching ensembles
Handbells and advanced techniques of ringing
Web and social media platforms: Canva, WordPress, MailChimp, SoundCloud
Ukulele in ensembles and as accompaniment instrument
Drumming for accompaniment of voice
Studies with
Organ:
Mark Coffey (2003-2006) David Boe, (2006-2008) Marie-Louise Langlais, (2008) Jack Mitchener (2009-2011) Jean-Baptiste Robin (2011-2013) Christian Lane (2016-2019)
Bruce Neswick, improvisation (2010) Noël Hazebrouqc, improvisation (2012, 2013)
Masterclasses: Olivier Latry (Paris), Pieter Van Dijk (Alkmaar), Theo Jellema (Leeuwarden), Peter Sykes (Boston)
Harpsichord: Webb Wiggins (2006-2007, 2009-2011) Lisa Goode Crawford (2011-2014)
Conducting: Valerie Josse (2012-2013)
Scholarships
Harriet Hale Woolley Scholarship (2011-2012) Fondation des Etats-Unis (15, boulevard Jourdan, Paris)
Beall Scholarship (2010) The Presbyterian Church (USA)
Edith P. Horner French Prize (2010) Oberlin College French Department
Heather Kirkconnell, organist 