Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Heather Petero. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Heather, thanks for joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My family was always artistic and musical, so the arts and music was just a way of life for us. My mother was a classically trained singer, played piano, painted, wrote plays and other programs, was an excellent seamstress and textile artist, was one of those super creative elementary school teachers, and loved to help people. She had an incredible work ethic and travelled the world teaching people in many countries through the DOD and other teaching initiative projects.

I started piano when I was five years old. My mom was always teaching us about musicals, songs, and we were often involved in her productions. She was always encouraging us to perform and lean into our talents.

Heather, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I started being paid professionally as a musician at the age of thirteen. At fourteen, I had started doing vocal demos for a local songwriter in the recording studio and by the time I was eighteen, I was directing church choirs, playing in a rock and roll band, and loving making music. I went to college for music out of state, but decided to come back home and years later finished my degree, not in music, but in Christian Ministries. I never stopped learning and honing my talent and craft though. I studied with some of the best in the business vocal coaches and piano teachers. I sharpened my skills by consistently performing, writing, and recording.

I worked in commercial radio as on-air talent and continued working as a professional musician, Then, a voice teacher friend asked me to take over her teaching studio. She encouraged me even though I was not sure I wanted to work with kids and parents, especially those that have “stage” mentality. I did it reluctantly, but it didn’t take long to realize I had a gift for teaching, just like my mom, and that I LOVED it!!
Twenty five years later, teaching voice and piano is one of my favorite things I get to do and make my living! I love being able to get up every morning knowing that my life has purpose and I can make a difference in my student’s lives.

Have you ever had to pivot?

In 2020, creatives, especially teachers in the independent contractor world, had to definitely make changes to keep their businesses. The average person has no idea what we had to go through just to survive, and still deal with everything else that everyone had to deal with as well. Technology has accelerated in the last three years since the pandemic, and now we can’t even imagine our studios without these tools. Being able to still teach music and make a difference is still the goal, but now we have added tools to make doing that even better! Tools that facilitate our students to engage deeper with the material and concepts, and have fun at the same time!

So thankful for the technology for sure!

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

People always say they want the arts—books, movies, music, visual art, etc. However, when it comes time, there is always a cost. Many aren’t as willing then and most believe that we as creatives should just give our art away. We are in a time where consumables are valued—until they aren’t. Years and years of learning, spending money on degrees and coaches, the time invested honing a craft and art to a high level are not understood unless you are the one that put the time in. I am thankful for the families in my studio that understand what it takes and at least want the beauty and gift of the arts for themselves or their children. Many appreciate that music and art develop the brain in a different way, that it enriches life, and creates a better well rounded human being. The best way to support art makers is simply supporting the art. Experiencing concerts, symphony performances, opera, theater, support college students that are making art, go to film and music festivals, investing in pieces of art no matter how small, purchase art from local artists, talk about art, practice some form of art, etc. Those are just a few ways that not only will it enrich our individual lives, but if a group in community start living out a culture of art and appreciating it more, then it will impact the community as a whole.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.heatherpetero.com

Image Credits
Heather and The Tin Roof Band (Trio) Ollie Patterson, and Kenneth Bentley