Heather McGuire runs a private music studio in Edmonton, Alberta where she teaches all levels of piano, theory, harmony, and music history. Heather also works as an examiner for Conservatory Canada and festival adjudicator. As a pianist, she continues to perform solo and collaborative repertoire with a special interest in 20th-century music.
Heather graduated from her Master of Music degree at the University of Alberta in May 2020 where she studied under Dr. Jacques Després. She focused her graduate studies on contemporary piano music, performing many 20th and 21st century works and completing the research portion of her degree on the benefits of teaching contemporary pieces at beginner and intermediate levels. Previously, Heather received her Artist Certificate and Bachelor of Music from Lakehead University where she studied with Dr. Evgeny Chugunov. Heather has also had the privilege of briefly studying with other prominent pianists including Jacques Rouvier, Gwendolyn Mok, Eve Egoyan, and Richard Raymond.
Heather has received many accolades for her academic and performative work, including the Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship for her focus on contemporary Canadian works and the Johann Strauss Award which allowed her to study at the Mozarteum University in Austria. Heather also received the Steinway Top Teacher Award for 2022 and 2023.
In her spare time, Heather volunteers on the ARMTA Edmonton Branch Executive and with her local church. She also enjoys many hobbies including gardening, cooking, reading mystery novels, and hiking in the Canadian Rockies.
Instrument / Discipline
- Piano
- Harmony
- Theory
- History
- Counterpoint
- Analysis
Specialized in
- Youth (7-17)
- Adults (18+)
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Teaches At
- Online
- Teacher's home
- Teacher's studio
Specialist designation
- Piano - Advanced
- Piano - Elementary
- Piano - Intermediate
- Theory - Elementary
- Theory - Intermediate
Credentials
- 2020 - Master of Music - University of Alberta
- 2018 - Artist Certificate - Lakehead University
- 2015 - Bachelor of Music - Lakehead University
- 2011 - Grade 10 - Conservatory Canada
Professional development
- Dealing with Injuries for Musicians - April 5
Dr. Olesia Markevych, presented by ARMTA Edmonton - 2024
- Demystifying Rhythm in Canadian Compositions - Presented by Joseph Lai and Julia Buker at the CFMTA Conference - 2023
- Lethbridge Piano Intensive - July 5 - 7
Private lessons, chamber group lessons, masterclasses, workshops, and lectures presented by faculty at the University of Lethbridge - 2024
- Making a Living as a Musician - Session presented by CFMTA Connecting Canada - 2024
- Marketing for Musicians - October 1
Session with Sara Campbell presented by ARMTA Edmonton - 2024
- Masterclass - January 20
Masterclass with Katherine Chi presented by the Piano Centre Edmonton - 2023
- Masterclass - November 29
Masterclass with Stephane Lemelin, presented by the University of Alberta - 2023
- Masterclass - November 8 - 9
Participation in piano masterclass with Marvin Blickenstaff. I performed the first movement of Beethoven's "Appassionata" Sonata from memory. - 2024
- Masterclass - Piano masterclass with clinician Dr. Viktoria Reiswich-Dapp - 2025
- Masterclass / Workshop - February 11
Masterclass and workshop with John Burge, presented by ARMTA Edmonton - 2023
- Performance Anxiety - July 6
Presented by Emily Logan at the CFMTA Conference - 2023
- RCM BIPOC & Female Composers - August 26
Presented by Derek Chiu - 2024
- RCM Musicianship Skills - August 26
Presented by Derek Chiu - 2024
- Studio Taxes - Presented by ARMTA Edmonton - 2023
- Teaching Neurodivergent Students - April 21
Presented by Conservatory Canada - 2023
- Unlocking Performance Potential - October 2
Presented by Derek Chiu via Virtuosity Online - 2023
School Associations
- Alberta Piano Teachers' Association - Provincial / State
- Alberta Registered Music Teachers' Association - Provincial / State