Heather O'Gara

Biography

Heather O'Gara is a multifaceted clarinetist currently performing and teaching in the New York metropolitan area. Frequently appearing on e-flat clarinet and bass clarinet with ensembles such as the Staten Island Philharmonic, the New York International Virtuosi, and the Long Island Festival Orchestra, Heather enjoys a varied international freelance career. Recent performances include a series of contemporary music concerts at the LampNOW festival in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, featuring works for bass clarinet by emerging composers.

A fiercely passionate educator, Heather has become known as an inspiring clarinet teacher and mentor. She has been a guest lecturer at Hofstra University and maintains a competitive private studio of students from across Long Island, in addition to serving in NYC public schools as a Staten Island Philharmonic Teaching Artist.

A native Long Islander, Heather studied clarinet at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels in Belgium, finishing her performance postgraduate diploma in 2020 after obtaining a master's degree in 2019 and a bachelor's degree in 2016 from the same institution, all with distinction. Prior to moving to Europe, Heather graduated with a bachelor's degree in Music Education from Hofstra University in 2010. Her primary teachers were Benjamin Dieltjens (Antwerp Symphony Orchestra), David Van Maele (The Royal Band of the Belgian Guides), and Laurie Friedman-Adler (Hevreh Ensemble).