Described as a “brutally honest and gifted musical storyteller” (The American Prize), Heather Ellis Koehn is an Oklahoma-based composer, arranger, and educator who draws inspiration from nature, historical events, personal experience, and social causes. Since she began her composition career in college, Ms. Koehn’s original works for band, choir, and chamber ensembles have been performed throughout the United States, and she has received commissions from high school bands, regional and state band directors’ associations, and the Tulsa Starlight Band.

In 2018, Ms. Koehn’s piece, Canyon’s Edge, was selected as a winner of the Dallas Winds Fanfare Competition. In 2021, she received a Special Judges’ Citation for “Vital Perspective on Historical Events through Words and Music” from The American Prize for her wind band work, 36 Blocks, written to memorialize all that was lost in the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. In the summer of 2022, as one of eight composers selected from around the world, Ms. Koehn participated in the internationally recognized residency, Composing in the Wilderness in Denali National Park and Preserve.

In addition to composing original works, Ms. Koehn is a nationally recognized marching band wind arranger and design consultant. Her clients have won state titles in Oklahoma and Texas, as well as a Bands of America Regional Championship. Whether writing educational etudes, sight reading audition material, designing marching band programming, or creating an original work, Ms. Koehn strives to create a meaningful experience for performer and listener alike.

Ms. Koehn currently serves as associate director of bands at Bartlesville (OK) Public Schools with her husband and teaching partner, Chris. When not teaching, performing, or composing, she can be found exploring backcountry trails all over the USA.

For more information, visit her website: www.heatherelliskoehn.com