Founder and Executive Director

Heather Garner

Heather Garner received full performance scholarships from Ohio University and The Ohio State University, where she earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Viola Performance, studying under Howard Beebe and Edward Adelson. While studying at The Ohio State University, Heather was also the Administrator for the Ohio State Pre-College Strings Program. Winner of the Ohio Arts Council Solo Competition, the Katherine B. Geis Performance Award and an Encore School for Strings scholarship student of Principal Violist Robert Vernon of the Cleveland Orchestra, Heather has performed as soloist, recitalist, chamber musician, and strolling strings advocate throughout the United States and Europe.

Ms. Garner performed 21 seasons as an associate violist with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and has played as a section violist in Dayton Philharmonic, ProMusica, Jacksonville Symphony, Springfield Symphony, and West Virginia Symphony. She has performed on stage with multiple celebrity entertainers including; James Taylor, Aretha Franklin, Harry Connick Jr., Andrea Bocelli, Amy Grant, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Blues Traveler, and Bobby McFerrin, as well as classical music royalty; Isacc Stern, Joshua Bell, Hilary Hahn, YoYo Ma, Luciano Pavarotti, Kathleen Battle and Emanual Ax. She is a frequent guest in the local schools as a chamber music clinician, sectional coach, and presenter. Heather founded the New Albany Symphony Orchestra in 2007. She serves as the Executive and Artistic Director, performs Principal Viola in the orchestra and currently holds the Assistant Principal position with the Lancaster Festival Orchestra. Ms. Garner resides in New Albany, Ohio, with her husband John and two boys, Jack and Evan.

Heather Garner Executive Director & Founder

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