Welcome to NWSA ORCHESTRA department

Erica Holley Hefner has directed the orchestras at Northwest School of the Arts for ten years. Under her direction, all levels of orchestras have consistently received superior and excellent ratings at adjudicated events and festivals in the Southeast. T he Chamber orchestra has enjoyed a long history of performing major works of grade VI orchestral repertoire such as Elgar and Tchaikovsky's Serenades, Corelli's Christmas Concerto, numerous Mendelssohn Sinfonias, Bradenburg Concerti, Britten's Simple Symphony and more.  This ensemble performed at the North Carolina Music Educators Convention (2017), in Charlotte Concert's "A Musical Showcase" (2018), and a side by side concert with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra (2018).  The middle level and symphonic orchestras have participated in festivals with esteemed clinicians from the Carolinas.

In addition to directing five NWSA Orchestral Ensembles, Mrs. Hefner also coaches Recital Seminar, a one of a kind class where students work in chamber ensembles.  Mrs. Hefner was awarded the CATO Excellence in Teaching Award in 2019, conducted the Western Region Repertory Orchestra in February 2020 and was recently named by her colleagues as Western Region Teacher of the Year (2021).  She serves on the professional development cadre for the orchestra directors in CMS, was the 2019 Music Fellow with the UNC Global Studies program, and directs the Arts Plus Summer Orchestra Camp.  Mrs. Hefner graduated magna cum laude from UNCG in 2003, with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and received her National Board Teaching Certificate in 2009, with renewal in 2020.  Outside of Music, Mrs. Hefner enjoys spending time with her family, especially being Mom to Jonas, 13 and Marley, 10.  She enjoys trips to the beach and mountains, running and experiencing live music of many genres.