For Heidi Herbert-Lovern, music is not only something to listen to; it’s something that creates a whole new way of story telling.

“Music should come off the page and into your ear creating a beautiful story of sound,” she said.

Heidi grew up in Peter’s Creek and became interested in music in sixth grade in ASD’s music program. Heidi’s passion for music piqued in high school. She was in her high school’s concert, swing, and men’s choirs, orchestra, jazz band and symphonic band. “I’m sort of an anomaly in my family. I’m the only one that’s interested in music.”

It wasn’t until high school that Heidi really developed her skills as a musician. She plays the string bass, an instrument that Heidi described as physically demanding. “When you play, you have to tough it out. I enjoy making music so much that I don’t notice when my fingers get calloused or sore until well after I’m done playing.”

Heidi originally thought she wanted to go college outside Alaska. She eventually chose UAA after a year out of state. Unhappy with the music education program, Heidi chose to make her way back to UAA.

As a music education major, Heidi wants to eventually become a music teacher. “I want to share the beauty of music with students, whether it’s teaching a high school band or seeing sixth-graders pick up their first instrument,” she said.

Outside of the college classroom, Heidi helps mentor and teach Bartlett and West high school bass students. “It’s a lot of fun when the students have breakthroughs. The ‘a ha!’ moment makes it all worth it.”

Heidi is also a substitute member for the Anchorage Symphony, where she’s been filling in for another member who’s been out on maternity leave. “It was definitely nerve-wracking the first time. The Anchorage Symphony is a very polished orchestra, and with 2200 audience members in there it can really get overwhelming. But it’s always great and an honor to be surrounded by such talented musicians,” Heidi said.

But it’s not just Anchorage Symphony’s talented musicians Heidi gets to work with; she said it’s her fellow UAA music majors that she’s learned the most from. “It’s amazing to have other students around that are just like me—in love with music—and share the same passion I do,” she said.

Heidi is a member of the UAA Jazz Band, Sinfonia, and Wind Ensemble, the Anchorage Civic Orchestra and the Anchorage Concert Chorus to name a few. “There are a lot of music ensembles to become a part of at UAA, because there is a great community of musicians here.”

“I am blissfully happy at UAA,” Heidi said when asked about finishing her degree in music. “I plan on going all the way to graduate school,” she said, “I might want to conduct one day.”

Heidi describes herself as an eclectic music fan, who is particularly interested in ethnomusicology. “I enjoy all types of music,” she said, “I love interpreting it. It’s like a puzzle.”