Julie Heard, Owner & Teacher

Hi my name is Julie Heard and I am the owner and teacher here at Tidewater Music Academy! I am married to an Air Force veteran, and we have a 5 year old son together.

When I was a teenager around 14 years old my father posed a question to me. If you could do any type of work for free the rest of your life, what would it be? I quickly answered, I want to be a piano teacher! Like my childhood teacher Mrs. Crane. I so looked forward to our lessons every week! I just knew I wanted to bring that sort of joy to young music students one day too!

Originally from Virginia, I received my Bachelor of Music degree with a concentration in piano performance from James Madison University in 2013. Since graduating I have had the unique opportunity to live and teach in the United Kingdom for 3.5 years while my husband served in the military. Since moving back stateside I have become an active member of the Music Teachers National Association.

I had the honor of presenting "Engaging Young Learners Online" at the Idaho Music Teacher Association Conference in Fall 2021. Here I saw firsthand how much music brought us together when people felt so far apart from each other because of the Global Pandemic.

I really believe in making connections with my students and their families. As a mother to a young child I know how important it is to find activities your child will thrive in. My studio is a safe space to be unapologetically yourself, and to express that through music. While I have an overarching plan for each of my students, they also have a say in their music education. I encourage them to learn music that they will enjoy as well as push them to do things just outside of their comfort zone such as performing for others, or composing their own music. My group studio classes are a place the students can practice these new skills for a small group of peers. Sign-up for a free Consultation today.  

I would be honored to help guide your child on their musical journey!