Canadian author Heather MacLean was born in South Africa. After completing her studies in Music Education she proceeded abroad to study opera, Classical singing, piano and drama at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, England. She moved to Canada in 1981 and became known for her solo vocal performances.She was also part of a team teaching early childhood music at the Alberta College Conservatory of Music, Edmonton.
Heather was twice the winner of the prestigious Johann Strauss scholarship, which enabled her to further her study of singing in Austria. She also returned to South Africa for a number of years, and started a Classical music appreciation programme for 2 - 9 year-olds. What struck her most was the number of boys, in a sport mad nation, who were interested in attending this programme.
While focusing her interest in developing the young brain through music, Heather juggled motherhood activities and continued singing professionally in South Africa, Europe and Canada. She also enjoyed teaching singers and pianists. While in South Africa she began writing stories from music as well as a full music programme for the classroom, using tried and true Classical music pieces.
She was greatly inspired by young children in the programme whose enthusiasm, honesty and interest became the deciding factor as to whether a selected piece of music was age appropriate. Years later it was interesting to observe the academic achievements of grown up children from this programme.
