Heide Riggs is a classically trained violinist who has also gained national recognition playing fiddle styles. She began playing violin at age 11 and at age 14 began her studies with Dr. William Magers, her most influential mentor and teacher of over 18 years. Heide attended University of San Diego and University of Arizona on full music scholarship, receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media Communication from the University of Arizona in 1996. Heide received her degrees in music at Arizona State University’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts School of Music. She completed a Bachelors of Music studying with Dr. Katie McLin, and her Masters of Music Performance and Pedagogy in 2007 under the instruction of Professor Danwen Jiang. Heide attended the intensive summer conservatory Meadowmount School of Music in 2000 and 2001, studying with Charles Avsharian, Sky Carman and David Salness. During the summers of 2002 and 2003, she studied with Sally O’Reilly of the University of Minnesota. Heide performs regularly with symphonies, various bands and ensembles for corporate events, and with stage orchestras for touring artists which have included Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Josh Groban, jazz violinist Regina Carter, Marie Osmond, Michael W. Smith, and GENTRI. In addition to being an active freelance musician in Phoenix, Heide has been on tour throughout the United States and Ireland with an internationally acclaimed Irish band. Heide’s highlight performances include Super Bowl XLIX Pepsi Hyped for Half-time Concert Series and VIP band for Alan Jackson with DaisyTrain, the 2023 Guiness Cork Jazz Festival at the Old Oak in Ireland, Scotfest in Oklahoma, and The Heights Theater in Houston. A passionate performer, creator and collaborator, Heide attributes the most gratifying aspect of her career to teaching students of all ages and playing abilities, and has been a private violin instructor for more than 20 years. From 2015-2019 Heide was Music Director at Madison Highland Prep High School in Phoenix where she taught band, choir, strings, pep band and directed the first school musical. Heide has presented workshops for Arizona State University, youth orchestras, junior high and high schools, and has worked for many schools as a sectional coach and guest performer. In 2020, Heide authored “Fiddler’s Full Circle”, an eBook about Irish fiddling, offered by Shar Music.