Our Teachers & Staff
Heather McKenzie Patterson
Owner & Lead Voice Instructor
Heather McKenzie Patterson, founder of Patterson Performing Arts and Lead Voice Instructor, has been teaching voice for 15 years and performing for twice as long. Her most recent singing credit was her soloist debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Heather will be returning to the Big Apple in July 2020 for a cabaret performance at "Broadway's living room" — Feinstein's/54 Below — and is looking forward to sharing that stage with some of her current students!
Heather has appeared with the St. Louis Symphony, the Bach Society of Saint Louis, Webster University Symphony, The Metropolitan Orchestra of Saint Louis, Winter Opera Saint Louis, Arbor Opera Theater, and Manchester United Methodist Choirs and Orchestra and in churches and venues across the Southeast and Midwest.
She earned bachelor’s degrees in Music and Psychology from Furman University and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Michigan State University. This is Heather's tenth year teaching on the voice faculty at Webster University in Saint Louis. Previously, she served on faculties at University of Missouri (Columbia, MO), Principia College (IL), and as a Teaching Assistant at Michigan State University.
As Owner of Patterson Performing Arts, Heather provides learning opportunities for singers of all ages. She enjoys leading master classes and auditioning & vocal training workshops to music organizations and schools throughout the Saint Louis region.
Heather's current and former students perform in venues across the country and abroad. They receive scholarships and acceptance into some of the top conservatories and universities in the world, including Eastman School of Music, Manhattan School of Music and Boston Conservatory at Berklee. They perform with equity theatres like St. Louis' beloved MUNY, along with dozens of community theatres. They sing jazz, pop & country tunes and produce solo cabaret shows. They sing with opera companies, including local jewels Union Avenue Opera and Winter Opera St. Louis. They perform as principal singers and young artists with the St. Louis Symphony Chorus and Bach Society of Saint Louis.
They overcome performance anxiety. They sing solos in church and at school competitions - something they never thought they'd achieve. They surprise serenade their bride at their own wedding. They sing in All-State Choirs and earn superior ratings at State Solo festivals. They win district and regional singing competitions. They sing the Star-Spangled Banner at ball games. They star in their middle and high school musical productions. They earn Best Actress awards. They entertain local nursing home residents and vets. Some of them now teach music, too, which is a special point of pride.
Heather finds immense joy in helping her students achieve these incredible accomplishments. And although accolades, awards, praise and performances are a wonderful way to celebrate the hard work that's delivered in the studio, it's the everyday moments with students that make teaching such a rewarding job.