Percussionist Heather Magruder has studied, performed, and taught throughout the US and abroad. Currently she is performing as a percussionist and timpanist with many local and regional symphonies including the Kentucky and Springfield Symphony. As an educator, Heather has over 20 years of experience working with high school and college-aged musicians and loves sharing her passion for music with her students.
Heather did her Master’s and Doctoral work at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music where she studied with the Percussion Group Cincinnati. As an undergrad, she studied with Dr. Robert Falvo at Appalachian State University where she developed her love of all things Cage, and a deep appreciation for the championing of new music.
As a faculty member with the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Prep Department, she had many students graduate to percussion programs such as the University of Kentucky, University of Michigan, CCM and Florida State.
Heather is a founding member of NeXT Ens, the first chamber ensemble in the US performing solely electroacoustic music. They were Ensemble-in-Residence at the University of Virginia and University of Minnesota, and were the featured ensemble at the 2006 International Computer Music Festival in New Orleans, LA. Internationally, she was the timpanist for the Opera Theatre and Music Festival Lucca, in Lucca, Italy and the percussionist for the UpBeat Composition Festival in Hvar, Croatia. Closer to home, she had the privilege of working with composers such as George Crumb, Kaija Saariaho, and Frederick Rzewski in festivals such as Music X, and The Grandin Festival. She has recorded for Capstone and Centaur Records.
Heather lives in Cincinnati with her husband Andrew, and her 3-year-old daughter, Clara. As an eternal student, she recently started taking piano lessons after a 20-year hiatus.
| Departments | Positions | Titles |
|---|---|---|
| Music | Adjunct Faculty | Adjunct Professor |