Following a wholesome state education in Derbyshire and Cheshire, Heather Birt won a place to study music at Oriel College, Oxford, and went on to gain scholarships at Trinity College of Music for two postgraduate diplomas in viola and baroque violin.

Heather has performed in venues including the Purcell Room, the Queen Elizabeth Hall, the Royal Albert Hall, The Queen's College Oxford, Brecon Jazz Festival, Church of the Pietà in Venice, Holywood Jazz Festival and The Sheldonian Theatre.

Heather has worked with Nigel Kennedy, Emma Kirkby and as guest viola with the Allegri Quartet.

A committed chamber musician, Heather is an active member of many ensembles including Minerva, Oxus, The Blagrove Quartet and Equinox.  She also works as a freelance baroque musician with ensembles such as The Sixteen, The English Concert , and Charivari Agréable.

Heather plays double bass in Allen Beechey's Bright Stars of Jazz.  She is regularly invited to play bass with many other bands, and solo artists including Sammy Rimmington on his UK tours.

Heather has been Head of Strings at the School of St. Helen and St. Katharine in Abingdon since 2002, where she has had enormous success expanding student participation in chamber music. She now co-ordinates a weekly rehearsal schedule of 17 ensembles.

In her spare time Heather enjoys reading novels, languages including French and Italian, the outdoors, travel and cookery.