Katherine Heater was a renowned classical music artist who was born on August 17, 1935, in San Francisco, California. She was a pianist and harpsichordist who was known for her exceptional talent and skill in playing Baroque music. Her parents were both musicians, and they encouraged her to pursue a career in music from a young age. Heater began her musical training at the age of five, studying piano with her mother. She later studied with renowned pianist and teacher, Rosina Lhévinne, at the Juilliard School in New York City. After completing her studies at Juilliard, Heater continued her education at the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in music. Throughout her career, Heater was known for her exceptional performances of Baroque music. She was particularly renowned for her performances on the harpsichord, an instrument that was not widely played at the time. Heater was one of the first musicians to bring the harpsichord back into the mainstream, and she helped to popularize the instrument among classical music audiences. One of Heater's most notable performances was her 1965 debut at the Berkeley Festival and Exhibition, where she performed a solo recital on the harpsichord. The performance was a huge success, and it helped to establish Heater as one of the leading harpsichordists of her time. She went on to perform at many other major festivals and concerts throughout her career, including the Carmel Bach Festival, the Boston Early Music Festival, and the San Francisco Early Music Society. In addition to her performances, Heater was also a respected music educator. She taught at several universities throughout her career, including the University of California, Berkeley, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and the University of Southern California. Many of her students went on to have successful careers in music, and Heater was known for her dedication to teaching and mentoring young musicians. Throughout her career, Heater received many awards and honors for her contributions to classical music. In 1970, she was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, which allowed her to travel to Europe to study and perform. She was also awarded the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1972, which is awarded to outstanding musicians and artists. Heater continued to perform and teach until her retirement in 2000. She passed away on December 19, 2007, at the age of 72. Her legacy as a pioneering harpsichordist and respected music educator lives on, and she is remembered as one of the most talented and influential classical musicians of her time.

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