Steven Hesla, a faculty member at The University of Montana since 1978, received his Bachelor of music degree from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Oberlin, Ohio, and his Master of Music degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana. Prior to his employment at The University of Montana he served on the faculty at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.

A former President of the Montana State Music Teachers Association, Hesla has also served on the Music Teachers National Association Foundation Board of Trustees. He has been a recipient of The University of Montana School of Fine Arts Distinguished Professor Award, and his students continue to distinguish themselves with honors in festivals and competitions.

A popular performer and clinician, Professor Hesla has served as Convention Artist for state and provincial music teachers conventions in both the United States and Canada. Guest Artist appearances have included recitals at the University of Washington in Seattle, the University of Alaska at Anchorage, and the Hochschule für Musik in Vienna, Austria.

Recently his resident university chamber ensemble, the Montana Piano Trio, received a University of Montana Research Grant to perform concerts in Austria, Germany, and on concert series in the Midwestern United States. They also provided master instruction to outstanding solo and chamber musicians in Europe. During his sabbatical in 2002-2003 he represented Young Audiences of Western Montana, performing in schools and providing community concerts in rural communities for more than 3000 students and their families.

His CD, "Music & Spirit" features the repertoire of the Sabbatical recitals and can be ordered here. Several of Professor Hesla's live performances have been selected for broadcast on Minnesota Public Radio and on National Public Radio's "Performance Today" series.

Barbara Blegen
Pianist Barbara Blegen, was born in Missoula. At age three she showed evidence of unusual musical gifts, picking out tunes at the keyboard. Her first first formal training, at six, was in Missoula with Mrs. Staley. In 1951, she began eight years of study with Prof. J. George Hummel of The University of Montana in Missoula. Barbara Blegen has performed in concerts throughout the U.S., in Europe, and in Canada as a recital soloist, as an accompanist, as a collaborator in chamber music concerts, and as a soloist with orchestras. Her work as a Community Concert Artist under Columbia Artists Management, Inc. has been highly acclaimed: "a feast of sound and musical values, of brilliance," "scintillating," "matchless," "impeccable brilliance."

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