Trained on historical as well as modern bassoon, Heather Carruthers played professionally for 15 years with various period orchestras in North America. From 1985 to 2001 she was principal bassoon in the Portland Baroque Orchestra, and at the same time played with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra. She performed regularly with Tafelmusik in Toronto and Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra in San Francisco, recording several CDs with all four ensembles. She also performed concertos on numerous occasions with both period and modern orchestras, and twice toured Japan with Toronto's Opera Atelier.

 

In 2001 Heather retired from touring. During the next decade she wrote a weekly food column for the Brandon Sun in Brandon, Manitoba and taught music history and bassoon at Brandon University School of Music. In 2010 she relocated to Kitchener with her husband Glen and is thrilled to be playing again in the region.