Joan B. Heels has an extensive background as a performer and teacher of singing. Her beginning vocal studies were taken with Flora Everett and Margaret Avard Wickett, both of Hamilton, Ontario. She continued her vocal studies in Montreal, in the U.S.A., and in Austria, with her primary teachers being Pauline Donalda, Bernard Diamant, Helen Hodam, Burton Garlinghouse, Pierre Bernac, Fritz Lehmann and William Eddy. While studying with Weldon Kilburn, she garnered a silver medal from the Royal Conservatory of Music for Grade 9 Piano. She has earned several degrees and diplomas including a B. Music, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., F.T.C.L., L.T.C.L., and A.R.C.T. Special Diploma.

She has sung in many professional choirs including the Montreal Symphony Orchestra Chorus under leading international conductors. She has worked with, and performed in or attended many master classes with such musical luminaries as William Vennard, Roger Wagner, Robert Shaw, Norman Luboff, Maurice Allard, Jon Wustman, Martin Katz, Gwendolyn Goldofsky and Lotte Lehmann.

Dr. Heels has more than thirty years experience teaching music (vocal, choral and band) in the educational systems in Montreal, Quebec and Hamilton, Ontario, where she directed many prize-winning choirs and bands. For ten years she conducted the mixed choir, the Harlequin Singers of Hamilton, who specialized in performing Broadway, Popular and Seasonal four-part vocal music.

Currently, Dr. Heels maintains a private vocal and piano studio in Hamilton, is an active international adjudicator, and is a member of the College of Examiners of the Royal Conservatory of Music. As an examiner for the Royal Conservatory of Music, she saw a need for a sight singing manual such as this, with progressive sight singing examples geared to help students be more successful in the sight singing part of their examinations.

‘Doc’ Heels is a member of numerous musical organizations including the National Association Teachers of Singing, Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association, National Band Association and American Choral Directors Association.

She enjoys her service and educational club memberships, being a member of Rotary, Zonta and Toastmasters. For those who might think that she’s all work and no play, ‘Doc’ loves to scuba dive, play tennis and watch some situation comedies. ‘Doc’ sincerely hopes this manual will help you attain more successful results in your sight singing!