Violin, Voice, Viola, Beginner Piano, Beginner Guitar & Beginner Ukulele

Heather Hunter is a passionate music educator with a wealth of performance and teaching experience. A native of South Carolina, she earned her degree in violin performance from the University of South Carolina with an additional emphasis in classical voice. She has performed with numerous orchestras across the country. Since moving to Washington in 2023, she has played as principal second violinist of the Northwest Symphony Orchestra. In California, she played in the Santa Cruz Symphony and San Francisco Academy Orchestra, and in the southeast she played in groups such as the South Carolina Philharmonic, Greenville Symphony, Augusta Symphony, Rock Hill Symphony, Long Bay Symphony, Aiken Symphony, North Charleston Pops, and others. She performed as a soloist with the touring show Violins of Hope, and she is an alumna of the Brevard Music Center summer music festival. She has also been playing chamber music at weddings and other special events since the age of fourteen. Aside from classical music, Heather enjoys learning fiddle music, Arabic and Syriac music, and many other genres of music.

When she is not playing or teaching violin, Heather enjoys the art of singing, having worked extensively as both a solo and choral singer. In Seattle she has performed as a singer at churches such as Epiphany in Madrona, St. James, Blessed Sacrament, and others. In California she worked as the Assistant Music Director at St. Veronica’s South San Francisco and sang at St. Dominic’s San Francisco, and in South Carolina she worked at both the Basilica of St. Peter and Trinity Cathedral. She is experienced in working with children’s choir, leading her choral students to perform alongside pit orchestra at live productions of The Nutcracker ballet. She has also sung in many secular settings, including the premiere of Michael Abels’ At War With Ourselves alongside the Kronos String Quartet.

As a teacher, Heather is experienced at working with students of all ages and skill levels, and she enjoys helping students prepare for auditions and other opportunities. She currently coaches violin sectionals at high schools around the Seattle area. She has also worked in many orchestra and general music settings, including teaching for several years at the University of South Carolina String Project and assisting with many string summer camps and youth orchestra programs. Heather has been teaching private lessons since 2016 and her students have achieved leadership positions in youth, regional, and state orchestras.

Heather deeply believes in every child’s ability to succeed in music when they feel inspired and are provided guidance towards healthy technique and helpful methods for consistent practice. She always seeks to help students find music they love to play, whether it is classical, folk, pop, or another genre they are interested in. With commitment, determination, and daily devotion to building their abilities, Heather has watched many of her students improve from week to week, and she is continually enthusiastic about the opportunity to encourage her students in their musical growth.