Heather Burns, originally from the Comox Valley, lives on Vancouver Island and has a 30- year career in the arts and culture sector, working as a free-lance musician, writer, arranger, musical director, educator, administrator, adjudicator and board member. After studying and working in LA, Washington, Banff, and New York, she has made Victoria her home. She holds a MA in Performance Arts and enjoys opportunities to teach, direct & perform both locally and abroad.
In addition to her career as a professional artist, she was the Director of Education & Programming at the Canadian College of Performing Arts 2017-2021. Heather also has a graduate diploma in Organizational Design & Development and has worked as a finance manager, a communication manager and currently as a Director of Integration and Engagement with the BC Public Service. She served on the Board of Directors for the BC Touring Council, 2019-2022, the Royal McPherson Theatre Society 2020-2025, and the Victoria Association of Mask & Puppetry (VAMP) 2025-present.
She is the music director and manager for swing & show band, “Dock Side Drive” (www.docksidedrive.ca), touring and performing regularly with them. Heather has released 2 CD’s of her own, “Child’s Play” (2005) and “Road Back Home” (2008), and “As Long As I’m Singing” (2016) with Dock Side Drive.
Heather is most at home collaborating with actors and singers. She has done extensive work as a musician, performance coach, arranger, writer & music director in the theatre with companies such as the Belfry Theatre, Western Canada Theatre, Chemainus Theatre, Victoria Operatic Society, CCPA, Victoria Symphony, and Kaleidoscope Theatre. Recent credits include: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Footloose, 9-5 The Musical, The Last Five Years, My Fair Lady, Beauty & the Beast. Her performing career has taken her through Europe, USA & Canada, but she also loves to be at home with family & friends enjoying the simple pleasures of life…a cup of coffee, a good conversation and the relationships that make life rich and inspire great art and music.