Heather Steffes
Concertmaster

Heather, raised in Villa Park, IL, began playing both violin and piano at the age of 10. She continued on both instruments, participating in a variety of music activities and school programs throughout her school years as well as performing solo violin at her church and playing weddings and other events. Heather went on to study Music Composition at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL, where she studied violin with Professor Vadim Mazo and piano with Joy Doran. As part of her studies, she traveled abroad to England and Ireland and had the unique opportunity to fiddle in the pubs with the locals in rural Ireland, learning the importance of folk music in everyday European life. Following completion of her Bachelor degree, Heather continued her education at VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, where she earned Master of Music Education with Certification.

In December 2007, Heather was married to Jacob Steffes and moved to the Quad City area. She began her teaching career here in Muscatine, teaching middle school orchestra in January 2008 and then taught 5-12 orchestra in Moline from 2008-2010. Heather is currently spending her time substitute teaching, accompanying and playing with the Clinton and Muscatine Symphony Orchestras as well as performing with her Irish band, Paddy O'Furniture, most recently featured at the Rock Island Irish Festival.

Heather and Jacob reside in Erie, IL with their furry pup, Maestro. On December 1, 2010 Heather and Jacob became the proud parents of son Gage Riley Steffes.

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