REMEMBERING HEATHER…

Heather Haefliger was one of the finest instructors we have ever had on our faculty.  For three and half years, she shared her contagious love for music with each of her students, one on one, week in and week out.  And she loved each and every one, dearly.

She also accompanied dozens and dozens of our strings students every Fall and Spring in their recitals.  A fantastic accompanist!  Like a magician, she knew exactly what beats the students might have dropped, so she could catch them and they wouldn't fall.  It was stunning.

And the fruit of her labors as an educator could be seen at every recital in her students... 

who joyfully and fearlessly got up there and generously gave their music away,
who sat tall, with beautiful posture, curved fingers (she cared about the details, as any good educator would),
who held their poise if their memory ever failed them momentarily,
who had such beautiful tone, well-rehearsed bows, and above all...
a huge smile!

I saw this at every single recital.  

She would stay and talk with each of her students, and their families, taking pictures, giving hugs, giving words of encouragement and affirmation.  And then she and her husband Paul would stick around and help me clean up, doing dishes, vacuuming, or whatever was needed.  

She so beautifully embodied our most treasured values at Bellas Artes - joy, perseverance, humility, courage, and servant-hearted generosity.  She had an incredible ability to make anyone feel immediately welcome in her presence.  What a gem she was!

After a 6 month battle with cancer, Heather Haefliger left to be with the Lord, on April 4, 2020.  Her incredibly brave husband Paul called me the next day to tell me the news. I'll never forget what he told me -- that knowing Heather and seeing the beauty she brought into their home and his life was a taste of heaven.  He said, "I'm going to be chasing heaven for the rest of my life.  I will forever have one foot here and one foot there.  I cannot wait."

Her parents wrote the following: “It was a long and grueling road, but every step of the way Heather showed unfailing courage and faith. Her laugh and smile were a beautiful light to everyone she encountered during this time. She had deep trust in a God who loves her and cares for her.”

Heather, we miss you immensely and we will never forget you.  Your work lives on in the lives of the students you impacted, and in the example you set for each of us on faculty. We thank God for sharing you with us these three and a half years.

Justin Jacobson, Director
Bellas Artes School of Music
April 15, 2020