Heather L. Lockard-Wheeler is a native of the Maryland area, Germantown, Maryland to be exact.  Upon graduation from Seneca Valley High School, Miss Lockard spent three years enrolled at Montgomery College where she obtained her A.A. in Theatre.  Heather then matriculated to The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where she received her B.F.A. degree in Music Theatre.  After graduating from the University of the Arts, Miss Lockard performed with such companies as the Opera Company of Philadelphia, The Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia, Peter Nero and the Philly Pops, and the Spoleto Festival Choir in Italy.

     While working as a professional singer in Philadelphia, Heather was accepted to the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, Maryland.  Studying in the voice studio of Steven Rainbolt with Robert Muckenfuss as vocal coach, Miss Lockard enrolled in the Graduate Performance Diploma Program.  While at Peabody, Heather has been involved in productions such as; Papagano! with the Peabody Opera Roundabout where Miss Lockard sang the roles of Queen of the Night and First Lady, as well as Ravel’s, L’enfant les sortileges, where the roles of Nightingale and Fire were sung by Heather.  Towards the end of Miss Lockards enrollment, she sang the role of Cunegonde in Bernstein’s Candide.   Plus, Heather also made her professional debut in The Baltimore Opera Company’s production of Die Fledermaus in the role of Ida.

     For the 2003 Peabody commencement ceremonies Miss Lockard was asked to sing for honored guest, André Previn.  The honor was all Miss Lockard as she sung I Want Magic! from Streetcar Named Desire.  During Heather’s enrollment at Peabody, she has been awarded talent, merit, and career development scholarships as well as the George Castelle Memorial Award.

     Miss Lockard sang the role of Elsie Maynard in the Young Victorian Theatre Company’s production of Yeomen of the Guard where the following was said about Heathers performance; Tim Smith of the Baltimore Sun said, " her sure, vibrant singing complemented a winning characterization" and Mike Giuliano of the Towson Times commented that, " Lockard is the most consistently impressive, with a clearly enunciated and heartfelt performance that makes Elsie come to life on stage".  Heather had the pleasure of working with the Young Victorian Theatre Company the very next season in their production of the Pirates of Penzance singing the festive role of Mabel.

     Heather had the honor, again, of singing with the Baltimore Opera Company as Stella in their production Les Contes d’Hoffman. As well as performing in Artscape 2005 where she sang the role of Nellie Mae in The Tale of Johnnie S. Kickey composed by Giacomo Puccini with New English translation and adaptation by James Harp.

     Most recently, Heather had the wonderful opportunity to sing with Opera Columbus in their production of The Three Penny Opera as the role of Lucy Brown.  Heather resides in Hampden (Hon!) with her fantastic husband and daughter.