Kirsten Hedegaard

Kirsten Hedegaard has enjoyed a varied career as singer and conductor. She has performed with many early music specialists, most notably Nicholas McGegan, Paul Hillier, Ivars Taurins, Mary Springfels, Kenneth Slowik, and John Butt. Hedegaard has also appeared as soloist and ensemble member with groups across the country, including Philharmonia Baroque, Mercury Baroque, Ensemble viii, Baroque Band, Schola Antiqua, Newberry Consort, Ars Antiqua, Rook Ensemble, Bella Voce, Callipygian Players, Elgin Symphony, Elgin Master Chorale, and eighth blackbird.

Currently Director of Choral and Vocal Activities at Loyola University, Hedegaard has conducted choirs and orchestras for various institutions including Eastman House, Chicago Children’s Choir, Chicago Choral Artists, Northbrook Community Chorus, Gallery 37, Loyola Academy, and the University of California. She has been the conductor for the Bella Voce outreach program since 2001 and more recently has appeared as Guest Artistic Director with the Bella Voce Camerata. As a co-founder of the EcoVoice Project and Artistic Director of the New Earth Ensemble, Hedegaard is dedicated to bringing together musicians and artists to explore how the arts can support environmental education and action.

Hedegaard holds a B.M. from Northwestern University, a M.A. from the University of California, where she was conducting assistant to Paul Hillier, and a D.M.A. from the University of Illinois, where she studied choral conducting with Andrew Megill and orchestral conducting with Donald Schleicher.