Heather Schmidt, pianist-composer, opened the season at Gustin House on Sunday, October 18, 2009, with a unique recital of piano music. In a program entitled “Fanny, Clara, Heather and Friends,” Ms. Schmidt performed rarely-heard piano works by Clara Schumann and Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel, as well as her own compositions. She spoke about the gifted women composers of the 19th century, when societal norms strongly discouraged women from pursuing public musical careers.    

Ms. Schmidt, a native of Calgary, now divides her time between Los Angeles and Toronto, where she teaches for the Royal Conservatory of Music.  Besides her performance tours and composing activities, she is often a guest instructor in music.  In Saskatoon, she gave a workshop for music teachers and pianists on October 19, an event co-sponsored by Darren’s Music Place and Yamaha Piano Centre.

Heather Schmidt’s events in Saskatoon were presented in conjunction with Piano Plus, an agency dedicated to bringing fine Canadian artists to smaller communities and organizations across the nation.