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The American soprano and choral conductor, Kirsten Hedegaard, obtained he Bachelor of Music degree from Northwestern University (1989-1993); her Master of Arts degree in Conducting from the University of California where she was assistant to Paul Hillier; and her D.M.A. degre from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. In 2008 she was invited to be a conducting Fellow at the Yale Norfolk Festival, studying with Simon Carrington.
Kirsten Hedegaard has enjoyed a dual career as a singer and conductor. Having been described as a “seraphic soprano” (Chicago Tribune), who “glides angelically above the rest” (Austin 360), she has performed numerous J.S. Bach's cantatas and Baroque chamber music and has been a soloist with many early music specialists, most notably Nicholas McGegan, Paul Hillier, Ivars Taurins, Kenneth Slowik, and John Butt. She has also appeared as soloist and ensemble member with ensembles across the country, including Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra (founding member), Mercury Baroque, Ensemble viii, Baroque Band, Schola Antiqua, Newberry Consort, Ars Antiqua, Rook Ensemble, Callipygian Players, Opera Company, Elgin Symphony, Elgin Master Chorale, Bella Voce, Erato Chamber Orchestra, Opera Company, and Tafelmusik BSI among other ensembles. She has also been a member of His Majestie's Clerkes/Bella Voce off-and-on since 1993. She has also performed a variety of new works, including an international tour of Louis Andriessen's The Odyssey with the Beppie Blankert Dance Company and performances with the Grammy-award winning new music ensemble, Eighth Blackbird as well as Ensemble dal Niente.
Currently Director of Choral and Vocal Activities at Loyola University, Kirsten Hedegaard has taught conducting at Concordia University, River Forest and has conducted choirs and orchestras for various institutions including Chicago Choral Artists (2009-2010 season), Eastman House, Chicago Children’s Choir, Gallery 37, Loyola Academy, and the University of California. She is in demand as a guest conductor for high school choral festivals and has presented workshops on vocal technique, performance practice, and conducting. Since 2001 she has also been the conductor for the Bella Voce outreach program and in 2012 founded the Bella Voce Camerata. In 2000, she co-founded The Musical Offering, a nonprofit music school in Evanston where she held the position of Executive Director until 2005/2007. She also holds the position of Director of Music at the Presbyterian Church of Barrington. She currently lives in Highland Park, Illinois. May 29, 1999, she married Andrew Lewis, Artistic Director of Bella Voce. They have three boys, all of whom sing with their dad at St. Luke’s. They currently live in Highland Park, Illinois. |
