The College of Musical Arts is hosting its “Creative Minds” series featuring internationally acclaimed opera composer and pianist, Jake Heggie.

    Heggie, who started the week with his keynote address Sunday night, will also be meeting with students Monday and Tuesday.

    Manager of public and community relations for the CMA, Lindsay Gross, invited Heggie to the University after numerous faculty members heard his presentation at their yearly accreditation meeting.

    “Every year, there is a conference called the National Association for Schools of Music. It’s the accrediting body for schools of music, and last year he spoke at their conference. Several of the faculty members in attendance were inspired by his lecture,” she said.

    Heggie, who is originally from Ohio, spoke at the conference about his life’s story and the ways he overcame adversity and eventually entered his career in music.

    Heggie receives many requests to hold residencies at various colleges, but because he is also a writer and composer, he cannot always leave his work. However, after realizing he would be in the Midwest for a short time, he agreed to visit Bowling Green.

    “I’m on a short break between writing, and (Gross) caught me at the right time,” Heggie said. “Working with students is very important to me.”

    During his education, Heggie always found value in the speakers he was able to interact with. He takes what he has learned and tries to apply those things with the students he encounters.

    “When I work with students, I work with them as young professionals. I was there too, I’ve just been in the pool a lot longer. I know what it’s like swimming around out there and hopefully I can give them some perspective,” he said. “I just hope I can offer them something based on the years of experience I’ve had in music. If I can do that, I feel very good about the whole thing.”

    Even though his background is in music, there are opportunities for students from other departments to be engaged in his presentations as well.

    “The point of these residencies is to engage all of the art units. Even though we have a music guest, we hope that people from all over the campus will come. Everything he talks about relates to more than just music,” Gross said. “‘Creative Minds’ isn’t designed to be a performance, it’s primarily a keynote lecture and then engagement with students after.”

    Heggie also tries to make his message meaningful to students of all backgrounds. He said he holds teamwork in the highest regard and believes it is the foundation of any successful operation in any field. He encourages students to find people who support and inspire their work as well.

    Doctoral student Hillary LaBonte, has been involved with this session of “Creative Minds.” She serves as the liaison between the voice and composition areas within the college of music.

    “I think a lot of people are excited. Jake Heggie is a big name, especially in the voice area. His operas are really something special,” she said. “It’s really exciting to have contact with living composers. It’s another great opportunity to bring everyone together and inspire people.”

    The activities for the week include a presentation about his experiences in adapting books and poetry into opera and art songs, student composed art song workshops and voice master-classes. All events are free and open to the public.

    More information about the residency and a full schedule of events can be found on the University website.