Faculty Bio

Jason A. Hiester

Associate Professor of Music

Education

• B.M., University of Miami
• M.M., University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music (Voice)
• M.M., University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music (Choral)
• D.M.A., University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music (Voice)

About

Jason Hiester, a tenor, teaches voice and conducting, and directs both the opera and choral programs at Ohio Wesleyan University. He performs professionally in a variety of genres, including opera, oratorio, choral, and jazz. His credits include roles with West Palm Beach Opera, Utah Festival Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Columbus Opera, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, Florida Grand Opera, and concert work with Miami Bach Society, Musica Sacra of Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky Symphony, Columbus Bach Ensemble, Columbus Dance Theater, Central Ohio Symphony Orchestra, Vocal Arts Ensemble of Cincinnati, Springfield Symphony, and Vocal Arts Ensemble of Springfield.

He was a winner of both the Schloss Leopoldskron competition in Salzburg, Austria, and the West Palm Beach Opera Competition. Locally, Hiester is involved with Columbus Opera as Chorus Master.

Hiester’s contribution to the many fields of vocal music is varied and exemplary. He is an active conductor and has directed all levels of singers from children to professional in numerous works ranging from medieval to contemporary. Most recently, he created and produced an emotional, multi-sensory, multi-media performance of Civil War-inspired music, poetry, and dance in Delaware called Civil War Reflections, which was highly regarded by all in attendance.

In his desire to support and create conservatory- level experiences for the students at OWU, Hiester implements and directs an international summer program for vocal students in Salzburg, Austria, every other summer, a program made possible by an OWU Theory-to-Practice Grant both in 2010 and 2012.

Dr. Hiester and the OWU Chamber Choir completed a Travel-Learning course in Italy and study Italian choral music.

Hiester enjoys woodworking, riding his motorcycle, golf, and spending time with his wife and four children.

Publications / Presentations

• “2007 Ohio Music Educators Association conference presentation of the Ohio Wesleyan University Women’s Ensemble”