Biography

Jill Heitzman is a full time assistant professor of music and co-director of liturgical music at Divine Word College. Jill has masters degree in vocal music performance from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois. Jill attended the Aspen Music Festival for four years. In Aspen, Jill was in the Robert Shaw Chorale and studied opera with Richard Pearlman from Julliard. Jill has also taught private studio voice at University of Dubuque and at Loras College. Jill has performed as “the Queen of the Night” in “The Magic Flute” at Northwestern and as “Constance” in “The Dialogue of the Carmelites” in the Hinsdale opera company. Jill has been a soloist and lead actress in many operettas, musicals, and plays in the Dubuque area. Jill has soloed on tours of England, Wales, Germany, Austria, and Italy.She soloes frequently with the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra on the “Messiah”, the Bach “Magnificat”, Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms” and other smaller works. Jill premiered a new setting of “The Creation” (as “God’s voice”) with the Philadelphia Brass and Clarke University. Jill also teaches private voice and flute at the Northeast Iowa School of Music (or NISOM) on the weekends. Jill has a 16 year old son and lives in Dubuque.

Education

B.M. - DePauw University, (Vocal Music Performance)
M.M. - Northwestern University, (Vocal Music Performance)

Courses taught at DWC

Elements of Music, World Music, Music Fundamentals, Ear Training and Sight Singing, Composition, Music Theater Practicum, Applied Studio Voice, Flute, Guitar and Piano. She has also team taught a global Humanities Survey class. Choirs: ESL Choir and Liturgical Ensemble

Publications

Professor Heitzman has written an Introduction to World Music online textbook for the National Sociological Society Press.  Publication is pending while she works on the teacher resource book and test bank.

Professor Heitzman has written and performed a 7 piece Song Cycle based on Shakespeare texts.  She performed these songs for the Iowa Composer’s Forum and in several recitals.

Professor Heitzman has had leading roles in and directed some 50 plays and musicals in the Dubuque area

Professional Affiliations

MENC (Music educators national conference)
NATS (National Association of teachers of singing)
CMA (College Music Association),
NPM (Natonal Pastoral Musicians)
ICA (Iowa Composers Association)

Languages

Italian, Spanish, French, Farsi

Intercultural Experience

Spent nine months in Iran going to school and learning Farsi.  
Language training: four years of Spanish, four years of Italian, two years of German, and three years of French.  
Teaching international students at Divine Word College for 27 years, (prior to Divine Word College) taught international students at Loras College for seven years, and University of Dubuque for two years.