Jessica Heller, a native of Connecticut, began studying the viola at the age of seven and she grew up attending the Hartt School Community Division. She went on to study at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh with maestro Joen Vasquez, assistant principal of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, graduating with a degree in both Viola Performance and Recording Engineering.
In her final year at Duquesne, Ms. Heller won a viola position with the Pittsburgh Opera Orchestra and shortly after, won a substitute position with the Pittsburgh Ballet Orchestra. She has also performed alongside the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, Erie Philharmonic, Western Slope Festival Orchestra, Classical Orchestra of Santiago, New Britain Symphony and can currently be seen performing with the Connecticut Virtuosi Orchestra.
Ms. Heller has attended numerous music festivals including the Western Slope Music Festival in Colorado and the Sunflower Festival in Kansas. She has played in Masterclasses for Maestros such as Donald McInnis. Currently, Jessica lives with her family in central Connecticut. She performs in the greater Connecticut area, including at the Sunken Garden Poetry and Music Festival at the Hillstead Museum in Farmington, Connecticut, St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, as well as around the United States and teaches viola and violin at the Elmwood Community Center in West Hartford, Connecticut and privately in Farmington, Connecticut.