Heather (Violin)

My violin journey began at age four through the Suzuki method, where I spent weeks perfecting the art of walking into the room, bowing politely, holding my violin correctly, and walking back out again. It wasn’t exactly a concert career, but it was an excellent start.

Eventually I graduated from ceremonial bows to actual bowing, much to the delight (or possible exhaustion) of my brothers, who became captive audiences for an enthusiastic number of performances of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.”

Today, I’m fortunate to spend my weekends performing with the quartet, helping couples find the perfect soundtrack for one of the happiest days of their lives. During the week, I work as a hospice nurse, where I’ve learned that music has an extraordinary ability to comfort, celebrate, and connect people. Whether it’s a wedding ceremony, a favorite hymn, or a familiar melody, music has a way of saying things words sometimes can’t.

When I’m not playing violin, I’m usually arranging music for the quartet, spending time with my husband and son, or chasing after our oversized Bernese Mountain Dog, who remains convinced he’s a lap dog.

Somehow, my life has included violin performance, mathematics, hospice nursing, marriage, and motherhood. They have more in common than you’d think: they’re all about patterns, problem-solving, showing up for the people you love, and knowing when to listen.