Michael Heavner

Location:

Little Rock, AR
United States 72206

Contact:

Michael Heavner
WEBSITE: www.michaelheavner.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-heavner-b635b15/
https://musicformartha.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelHeavner

Additional Info:

Michael Heavner is a prominent musician, educator, and musical director based in Arkansas. He is well-known for his extensive work in theatrical productions and his long-standing affiliation with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UA Little Rock) as musical director and principal dance musician for ballet and modern dance classes.

Professional Background
Musician & Musical Director: Heavner has served as the musical director, pianist, or keyboardist for over 30 musicals and productions. His work includes national tours of the musicals Always Patsy Cline (1995-1997), Idols of the King (1998-1999), and Blues in the Night (1999-2000). Resident musical director/pianist for the award-winning musical, Lost in the Fifties, in Mackinaw City, Michigan, 2000-2001. He has been a frequent collaborator at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, Murry's Dinner Playhouse, and the Argenta Contemporary Theatre.

Additionally, he served as Sound Consultant for the Arkansas Repertory Theatre for numerous musical productions under Bob Hupp, the former Artistic Director of the REP from 2011 through June 2016.

Educator: He joined the faculty at UA Little Rock in 2006, where he developed the Recording Arts Technology curriculum and implemented and taught numerous courses in both the department of Music and the department of Theatre Arts and Dance.

His teaching focuses include Recording Arts Technology, Digital Audio, MIDI, Piano/Technology, Rhythmic Skills, Theory Fundamentals, Music for Dance, Musical Theatre Workshop, IT for Theatre and Dance, Sound Design for Theatre, and Independent Study. He also served as the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance's frontend website and social media manager, overseeing its online presence, digital photo archiving, online forms, and online ticket sales systems from 2013 to 2021.

Most recently, he is noted as a music teacher in the White Hall School District (as of 2025), where he mentors the next generation of musicians.

Technologist: He is an expert in music technology and sound design, producing custom musical orchestrations and sound designs for theater, radio, and artists both nationally and internationally.

Education & Achievements
Academic Degrees: He holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (GPA 4.0), both from UA Little Rock. Notably, Michael also attained a Ph.D. in Honky Tonk Piano Performance from the legendary Jimmy Doyle’s Country Club.

Awards: He was an official nominee for the Arkansas Country Music Awards in 2024, 2025, and 2026 for "Specialty/Utility Musician of the Year",

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock 2018 Academic Excellence Award.

2018 inductee of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and The National Society of Leadership and Success (Sigma Alpha Pi).

In 2018, UA Little Rock featured Michael Heavner for creating an educational website integrating music and dance resources, highlighting his role as a bridge among performance, pedagogy, and technology.

Music for Martha: As part of his master’s work, he created Music for Martha, an educational resource website dedicated to the music of Martha Graham’s dance techniques.

SELECT MUSICAL REVIEWS

BROADWAY WORLD-Feature: MICHAEL HEAVNER helps bring shows to life through music
~Broadway World

Heavner’s piano playing is most impressive. “Always Patsy Cline”
~Arkansas Times

The well-rehearsed band, featured clearly outstanding piano work in the authentic style by Mike Heavner. His convincing, bluesy interpretation provided the perfect accompaniment for Welch’s vocals. “Always Patsy Cline”
~Roswell Daily Record

Although all the characters had amazing voices, a lot of credit has to be given to the band led by Michael Heavner, never missed a step. It accommodated the players wonderfully, and in my opinion, should have been brought out to center stage to receive a strongly deserved ovation. “Blues in the Night”
~Lifestyles Stringer

The music, orchestrated by the amazing Michael Heavner, was beyond phenomenal. I always love to hear what he has created, and every single time it blows me away. “ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW”
~Broadway World

The Secret Garden at the Argenta Contemporary Theater is magical. “Michael Heavner’s orchestrations serve the show well.”
~Arkansas Democrat Gazette

“I always love it when my favorite pianist Michael Heavner, is tickling the ivories for us.”
HONKY TONK ANGELS
~Broadway World

Special mention is in order for the musicians behind the scenes, musical director Charles Creath, a Motown Records artist and producer, shares the keyboard duties with Michael Heavner, and both do excellent work. “DreamGirls”
~Arkansas Times

Michael Heavner did a wonderful job on the orchestration. I have been to several shows that featured Heavner’s handiwork, and this one is, by far, my favorite one. “DISNEY’S NEWSIES!”
~Broadway World

Finally, a hearty salute to the band and musical director/conductor, Michael Heavner on keyboards, their energy and first-rate musicianship enhance the trio of performers and provide some of the shows finest moments. These guys are smoking. “Idols of the King”
~Galveston, TX

Extra kudos to Sound Designer Michael Heavner for making it sound like Rees’ impression roused the lady chimps. “PRIMATING.”
~Broadway World

As an added bonus, I love that Michael Heavner has rejoined the Murry’s family with his orchestrations! His talent truly enhances the overall musical experience, bringing a rich depth to the show. His ability to elevate the soundscape makes the production feel even more immersive and magical. “IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS THE MUSICAL”
~Broadway World

Elvis fans, rock ‘n’ roll aficionados, and all those who love good entertainment, run, do not walk, to Stage Center for “Idols of the King”
~The Oklahoman

SHOWS, ORCHESTRATIONS, AND SOUND DESIGNS

Note: Orchestration production is the creation and production of orchestrations used for live musical performances and rehearsals. For each show (production), every part of the orchestration is performed and recorded skillfully. Each song can then be customized to the director's, choreographer's, and performers’ desired tempo and key, including any cuts or edits. Ultimately, the orchestrations and music are cued (played back) for performances using computer software such as QLab Show Cue System.

Pianist for the musical Honky Tonk Angels

Orchestration production for the musical ROCKY HORROR SHOW

Orchestration production for the musical, DREAMGIRLS

Guest Artist/Musical Director, University of Central Arkansas, for their production of the musical LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

Orchestration production for the musical, WIZARD OF OZ

Sound Designer A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS (Equity Production)

Sound Designer PRIMATING (Equity Production)

Musical Director and Orchestration production for the musical, BILLY ELLIOT

Orchestration production for the musical, ANNIE

Orchestration production for the musical, MARRY POPPINS

Orchestration production for the musical, DISNEY’S NEWSIES

Orchestration production for the musical, ELF

Orchestration production for the musical, GREASE

Orchestration production for the musical, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

Orchestration production for the musical, MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET

Musical director and orchestration production for the musical, THE ALL-NIGHT STRUT!

Orchestration production for the musical, SWEET CHARITY

Orchestration production for the musical, THE SECRET GARDEN

Orchestration production for the musical, BRIGADOON

Orchestration production for the musical, HAIRSPRAY

Musical Director and orchestration production for the musical, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

Orchestration production for the musical, OKLAHOMA

Musical Director for the musical, SOUTH PACIFIC

Orchestration production at North Texas Central College for the musical, LEGALLY BLONDE (selections)

Artist in Residence, University of Central Arkansas, Musical Director/Guitarist /Pianist for their production of the musical SPRING AWAKENING

Guest Musical Director, Hendrix College, Conway, Arkansas THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE

Musical Director and Orchestration production for the musical, THE SOUND OF MUSIC

Musical Director and Orchestration production for the musical, ONCE UPON A MATTRESS

Orchestration production for the musical, THE MUSIC MAN

Musical Director/Pianist for the musical, ALWAYS PATSY CLINE

Guest Musical Director/Pianist, Hendrix College, Conway, Arkansas, for the musical, VIOLET THE MUSICAL

Orchestration production for the musical, ANNIE

Musical Director/Keyboardist for the musical, ALWAYS PATSY CLINE (Equity Production)

Orchestration production for the musical, MY FAIR LADY

Keyboardist for the musical, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

Musical Director and Orchestration production for the musical, GUYS AND DOLLS: A musical fable of Broadway

Musical Director/Keyboardist for the musical, THE FULL MONTY (Equity Production)

Orchestration production for the musical, LOST ON ROUTE 66 Christmas Show

Featured pianist on two live CDs by THE DIAMONDS’ STANDING ROOM ONLY! AND BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND.

Musical Director for the musical, LOST IN THE FIFTIES, Omaha, Nebraska.

Musical Arranger and Orchestration production for the musical, LOST ON ROUTE 66

Keyboardist for the musical, CHILDREN OF EDEN (Equity Production)

Pianist for the musical, MY FAIR LADY, two piano arrangements (Equity Production)

Keyboardist for the musical, DREAMGIRLS (Equity Production)

Keyboardist for the musical, CINDERELLA (Equity Production)

Musical Director/Keyboardist for the musical, THE SPITFIRE GRILL (Equity Production)

Keyboardist for the musical, GYPSY (Equity Production)

Musical Arranger and Orchestration production for the musical, TWIST THE NIGHT AWAY.

Musical Director/Pianist for the musical, ANNIE (Equity Production)

Musical Director/Pianist for the musical, LOST IN THE FIFTIES, in Savannah, Georgia

Keyboardist for the musical, CABARET (Equity Production)

Musical Director/Conductor for THE SOUND OF MUSIC (Equity Production)

Resident Musical Director/Pianist for LOST IN THE FIFTIES, in Mackinaw City, Michigan

Keyboardist for the musical, JOSEPH & AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT (Equity Production)

Resident Musical Director/Pianist for the award-winning show LOST IN THE FIFTIES, in Mackinaw City, Michigan, 2000 through 2001

Musical Director/Pianist for the national tour of the Tony Award-nominated musical, BLUES IN THE NIGHT (Equity Production)

Musical Director/Keyboardist for the musical, GODSPELL (Equity Production)

Musical Director/Keyboardist for the premiere national tour of IDOLS OF THE KING (Equity Production)

Musical Director/Pianist for the production of ALWAYS PATSY CLINE at the Robinson Auditorium (Equity Production)

Musical Director/Pianist for the production of ALWAYS PATSY CLINE in Jackson, Mississippi (Equity Production)

Conductor/Keyboardist for the musical, BEEHIVE, in Jackson, Mississippi (Equity Production),

Musical Director/Pianist for the national tour of ALWAYS PATSY CLINE (Equity Production)

Fees

$ 200.00 Dollars Per Hour

Instruments

Piano, Electronic Keyboard

Specialisms

Contemporary Music, Improvisation, Instrumental Accompaniment, Vocal Accompaniment, Musical Theatre, Musical Direction, Ballet Accompaniment, Vocal Coaching

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