Meet the Instructor

Heather Hills Perez, NCTM

Harpist, Pianist, and Vocalist

Contact me

Heather graduated from Indiana University in December of 2014, earning her Bachelor of Music in performance with highest distinction. After graduation, Heather moved to Raleigh, NC, to be with her family and started building her career in music. Her studio quickly grew to include students as young as 5 and as old as—well, she’s not allowed to say! She has nearly two decades of experience performing on both piano and harp and recently added voice lessons as part of her continued musical development.

Credentials

Education

  • BM in performance (harp) with highest distinction, Indiana University Bloomington, 2014

Teaching Experience

  • Independent music teacher since 2015

Performance Experience

  • Frequent recitals, 2011-present
  • Substitute Harpist with the North Carolina Symphony, 2018-present
  • Performance at Carnegie Hall (piano) resulting from high placement in the American Fine Arts Festival auditions, 2011

Musical Awards

  • Semi-finalist in Dutch Harp Competition, 2016
  • High Honors (piano), American Fine Arts Festival auditions, 2011
  • High Honors (piano), NJMTA auditions, 2011
  • Concerto Competition Winner (harp), Youth Orchestra of Bucks County, 2011

Positions Held

  • Chair of certification, Raleigh Piano Teachers’ Association, 2020-present
  • Minister of Music and Choir Director, Swift Creek Baptist Church, 2016-2020
  • Piano accompanist, Swift Creek Baptist Church, 2015-2017

What is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM)?

A Nationally Certified Teacher of Music has completed a series of projects demonstrating competency in a chosen teaching area. The projects include video assessments of the teacher’s teaching and performance ability as well as essays on music theory, history, and business ethics. They are reviewed by the Music Teachers’ National Association (MTNA), and certification is granted only if the candidate meets its five standards of what a music teacher should know and be able to do. Certification is entirely optional and takes about a year, so becoming certified demonstrates commitment to a high standard of teaching and to continued professional growth.

“I came to Heather a little over a year ago as an adult beginner eager to learn piano. Since then she has helped me learn to read music, start understanding music theory, and has helped me learn to play many enjoyable songs. Heather has been patient with my stubbornness, yet is continuously challenging me to learn new things, attempt harder songs, and understand more complex music theory. I know that I still have a lot to learn, and I’m confident that Heather is the right teacher to help me achieve my piano goals. I would highly recommend her to anyone interested in learning to play the piano.”

—Paul T.