Biography
Photo Credit
Sarah Modene
"Don’t let the size of your dreams be limited by your past.” The advice was given to Heidi Fern Clausius by her graduate piano professor, Robert Shannon. She was forced to walk away from a performance career in 1990 due to a hand injury, just after receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Piano Performance from the University of Toledo. Heidi never thought it would be possible to be collaborating with other musicians 25 years later. Ignoring her past, she left her 18-year real estate career in 2010 to pursue a Graduate Degree in Collaborative Piano Performance at Bowling Green State University. Regaining the facility she thought was lost to her, she placed first in the Dr. Marjorie Conrad Art Song Competition in April of 2011. In honor of her graduation, her family created the Heidi Fern Clausius Music Scholarship to assist students who have overcome their own personal obstacles to pursue their music degrees.
Since her 2012 graduation, Heidi has been very active in the Toledo and Bowling Green music communities as a collaborative pianist and coach for vocal and instrumental soloists, area choirs and area competitions; including The Toledo Opera and The Vocal Arts Competition for Emerging Artists-North Central District. An accomplished organist, she also substitutes at several area congregations.
As a performing artist, Heidi has presented numerous duo, chamber, and solo concerts in the Great Gallery of the Toledo Museum of Art, as part of Trinity Episcopal Church’s Artist Series as well as other incredible venues. 2014 was a dream come true to perform Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21 with her daughter playing in the violin section of the Sylvania Community Orchestra. In November of 2016, Heidi gave her first solo recital in 26 years, at the University of Toledo under the tutelage of her undergraduate professor, Frances Renzi. She served on the faculty at the University of Toledo where she taught group piano, served as a vocal coach, accompanied the voice faculty recitals, and music directed the University of Toledo Opera program.
Today, Heidi is on the piano faculty of the University of Toledo as a Class Piano Instructor and Collaborative Pianist. Additionally, she maintains a private piano studio and serves as the President of the Northwest District of the Ohio Music Teacher's Association. Heidi is constantly amazed by the musical opportunities that continue to appear in her path and continues to expand her dreams.