Heather is sponsored by Jim Berkenstock for Midsummer’s 2024 season.

Flutist Heather Zinninger enjoys a versatile career as soloist, orchestral player, chamber musician and educator.

Assistant Principal Flute of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, she previously held the position of Principal Flute of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, and she has performed as a guest with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Houston Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, Rhode Island Philharmonic, and New World Symphony.

Zinninger shares her passion for chamber music by regularly performing with and serving on the artistic board of Milwaukee Musaik. Additional summer festival appearances include Washington Island Music Festival, Lakes Area Music Festival, Tanglewood, Music Academy of the West, and National Repertory Orchestra.

A prizewinner in several national competitions, including the National Flute Association’s Orchestral Audition Competition where she was awarded first prize, Heather earned a Master’s Degree from Rice University and a Bachelor’s Degree from the Eastman School of Music. Zinninger grew up in Louisville, KY and spent her senior year at Interlochen Arts Academy. Her primary teachers include Leone Buyse, Bonita Boyd, Tallon Perkes, and Donald Gottlieb.

A devoted educator, she participates in the MSO’s Arts in Community Education program and maintains a private teaching studio. While in New Orleans, she was Adjunct Professor of Flute at Xavier University and has served as performer, presenter, and adjudicator for the National Flute Association, Louisiana Flute Society, Wisconsin Flute Festival, and Rochester Flute Association.

When not playing the flute, she enjoys hiking, gardening, doing yoga, and maintaining a vegan recipe website called Flutes and Veggies.

Photo credit: Margaret Butler