Photography: Claire Marchand, Norwich, CT
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Short Bio:
Heather Niemi Savage guides listeners down a river of highly introspective music and inviting them to ponder wonders around every bend. Her eclectic style draws on her broad background in classical, jazz, musical theater, and sacred music. Based in North Carolina, her compositions have been performed throughout the United States and presented at the International Festival of Music by Women, the Impulse New Music Festival, the national conference of the Society of Composers, Inc, various All-State Festivals, and at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall. Heather has placed in the top three in several national and international competitions, including the 2020 American Prize Composition Competition (pops/light music division), the 2020 Arcady Art Song Competition, the 2021 Cantus Ensemble Competition, and the Huntsville Master Chorale 2023 Composition Competition. Most recently, her piece, Arethusa, for full orchestra, won 2nd place in the Reno Pops Orchestra 2024 Composers Showcase, making her the first woman to place in the top three in this annual competition.
Long Bio:
Heather Niemi Savage guides listeners down a river of highly introspective music and inviting them to ponder wonders around every bend. Her eclectic style draws on her broad background in classical, jazz, musical theater, and sacred music. Highly regarded, Heather’s compositions have been performed throughout the United States by ensembles such as the Argus String Quartet, the North-South Consonance, the Great Woods Symphony, and members of the Raleigh Symphony. Her work has been presented at the International Festival of Music by Women, the Impulse New Music Festival, the national conference of the Society of Composers, Inc, various All-State Festivals, and at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall. She has also been featured on the radio programs, “Classical Discoveries” and “Music of Our Mothers.” Heather has placed in the top three in several national and international competitions, including the 2020 American Prize Composition Competition (pops/light music division), the 2020 Arcady Art Song Competition, the 2021 Cantus Ensemble Competition, and the Huntsville Master Chorale 2023 Composition Competition. Most recently, her piece, Arethusa, for full orchestra, won 2nd place in the Reno Pops Orchestra 2024 Composers Showcase, making her the first woman to place in the top three in this annual competition.
Heather graduated from Appalachian State University with a MM in music composition, where she was a Tui St. George Tucker Fellow, digitizing and archiving handwritten scores and creating an accessible online platform for musicians. Heather performs regularly on piano with choral and chamber ensembles and in intimate solo concerts, writes on music, hosts The Musicking Community Podcast and maintains a private teaching studio. In her free time, Heather likes to read, spend time outdoors, and practice herbalism.