Planet Jill

Biography

Jill Heinke, a young, dynamic chamber musician and music educator, is making her mark on the California music landscape.

Born in Wisconsin and raised in Rockford, Illinois, Ms. Heinke began her musical studies on the piano as a first grader. At age 9, Ms. Heinke, following in her mother's footsteps, started studying the flute. In short order, she began winning local flute competitions. In high school, Jill juggled principal flute duties in the local youth symphony, played piano, and was involved in sports, theatre and dance while garnering Auburn High School's two top band awards: The Louis Armstrong Award for Excellence in Jazz Performance (bass), and the John Phillip Sousa Award for Excellence in Band Performance (flute). As a high school senior, she received the Rockford Area Music Industry (RAMI) High School Musician Award before leaving the Midwest to study flute with Professor Jill Felber at University of California at Santa Barbara.

While studying at UC Santa Barbara, Ms. Heinke performed as principal flute with the UCSB Orchestra, Musica Antigua, and the New Music Ensemble while participating in numerous chamber ensembles. Additionally, Ms. Heinke earned a spot in the UCSB Jazz Band on bass, and participated in the Big Band as well as in several combos. While at UCSB, Ms. Heinke earned the Excellence-at-Entrance Award, a Women's Alumni Association Scholarship, and the Loren Toder Scholarship Award. She graduated with Highest Honors as a member of the Honors College.

Ms. Heinke was selected as a Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholar for the 2004-2005 school year with a full scholarship to the Royal College of Music, London. There she earned her Postgraduate Diploma in flute performance under the tutelage of world-renowned recording artist, chamber musician, orchestral performer, and flute educator, Susan Milan.

Ms. Heinke completed her Master of Music degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in 2006, where she studied with San Francisco Symphony's principal flutist, Tim Day. She participated in the symphony orchestra, chamber music ensembles, and the Conservatory in the Schools community outreach program before graduating Magna Cum Laude.

While still a graduate student at the San Francisco Conservatory, Ms. Heinke was invited to join Areon Flutes by founding members Amelia Vitarelli and Kassey LeBow. She joined Areon Flutes in 2005 and soon found herself immersed in the world of progressive chamber music and music education. Areon Flutes made their New York debut in September 2007 at Carnegie Hall, receiving rave reviews for their performance. In April of 2008, Areon Flutes won the Bronze Medal at the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition, the largest and most prestigious competition of its kind. In addition to their world-class performances, Areon Flutes runs a series of non-profit educational programs in the San Jose metropolitan area, including a Summer Flute Institute, a Chamber Music Institute during the school year, and an International Chamber Music Competition with performance and composition divisions. Information about their performances and educational programs can be found at www.areonflutes.com.

In addition to her busy performance career, Ms. Heinke operates a full private studio in Mountain View, Menlo Park, and San Francisco. As a flute educator, Ms. Heinke encourages her students to reach their full potential through developing a well-rounded music education. Her students have won local, regional and state awards as soloists and chamber musicians, and her students also hold positions in local youth orchestras. For more information regarding auditions for her studio, please visit Ms. Heinke's contact page.