Heather M. Hernandez -------------------- Heather Marie Harrington-Hernandez is the winner of the 8th Annual Verna Ross Orndorff Career Performance Grant awarded by Sigma Alpha Iota. She played a recital at Zion Lutheran Church in Imperial, Nebraska, on March 14, 2004, as the recipient of the Eva Christensen fellowship from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She participated in the Third Mikael Tariverdiev International Organ Competition in Kaliningrad, Russia, in October 2003. Heather is a doctoral candidate in organ performance at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She was cathedral organ scholar at St. Cecilia's Cathedral in Omaha, Nebraska, from 2001-2004. She studied organ with Marie-Louise Langlais at the Conservatoire Supérieur de Paris-CNR in Paris, France, from 1999-2001 and was a prizewinner of the Conservatoire. She was assistant organist at St. George's Anglican Church in Paris. Heather earned a Master of Music degree in organ performance at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and was a graduate teaching assistant in organ and music history. She graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in organ performance with a sacred music minor from Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kansas. She has studied organ with David Eaton, Quentin Faulkner, Sharon Hettinger, Marie-Louise Langlais, George Ritchie, and Pamela Ruiter-Feenstra. In August 1999, she participated in the International Organ and Clavichord Improvisation academy in Smarano, Italy. In March 2000, she was awarded 3rd prize at the 6th International Lorraine organ competition (superior division) in Freyming-Merlebach, France. In March 2001, she was awarded first prize at the 71st International U.F.A.M. organ competition (superior division) in Antony, France. She has played recitals in Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Texas, and France. She is a member of the American Guild of Organists, Organ Historical Society, and Sigma Alpha Iota.