The Brazilian-born composer, arranger, musical director, and choral singer (tenor), Bill Heigen, obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil (2003-2003); his Bachelor of Arts degree in Voice Performance from Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (2004-2007); his Master of Arts degree in Voice Performance from Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (2006-2008); and his Master of Arts degree in Music Composition from Hunter College in New York City (2013-2015). He is a recipient of awards in Brazil (Vocal Brasil CCBB 2012 and Nona Mostra FIL) in the USA (MCE Composer Competition 2015-2016) and South Korea (Busan Choral Composition Competition) for HIS compositions, vocal arrangements and choral directing.
In Brazil, Bill Heigen has composed some musical theaters shows, been the musical director of multiple vocal groups, and has performed in many other professional a cappella ensembles - singing many musical styles - from bossa nova and Brazilian popular music to Renaissance repertoire. He is also a voice teacher/vocal coach and has taught music theory courses at various conservatories and universities in Brazil. He has been Professor of Music at Universidade Candido Mendes in Nova Friburgo Area, Brazil (February 2005-December 2010); Music Instructor at CAL - Casa das Artes de Laranjeiras in Rio de Janeiro Area, Brazil (January 2010-July 2012).
Since August 2013, Bill Heigen has been a professional musician in New York City, specialized in Choral Music providing Ear Training, Choral Vocal Technique, Score Feedback and Choral Coaching. He works as a Choral Singer/Composer, Arranger, Choral Contractor and Music Educator. He has served as the accompanist for Hunter College’s Jazz Vocal Workshop as well (January 2014-January 2015). He has been hired as a professional singer by many other church choirs, synagogues and community choirs in the Tri-State Area. He has been Tenor Section Leader at Church of the Transfiguration (September 2013-June 2014); Professional Tenor singer in the award winning Choral Chameleon (June 2014-June 2017); Professional Singer at Hornblower Cruises and Events (May-July 2018); Professional Tenor singer in The Salvatones (Artistic Director: Daniel Brondel) (September 2018-August 2020); Tenor in National Chorale (September 2017-January 2021); Music Teacher at Uncommon Schools (August 2019-Januar 2021); Tenor and Arranger in New York Holiday Singers/Choristers (September 2013-August 2021); Tenor Section Leader in St. Michael's Church Choir (September 2014-September 2021); Music Teacher at Zeta Charter Schools (August 2021-January 2022); Tenor Soloist at Saint Ignatius of Antioch Episcopal Church (October 2021-July 2022); Music Teacher at New York French American Charter School (NYFACS) (September 2022-August 2023); Tenor Section Leader at Saint Peter's Church, NYC (since September 2023); Professional Singer at The Dickens' Victorian Carollers (since November 2023); Tenor singer in the award winning “C4” - Choral Composer/Conductor Collective.
Bill Heigen's compositions and vocal arrangements have been performed by ensembles across the USA, France, Germany, Brazil, Portugal, United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, Lebanon, Japan, Italy and Poland. |