Flutist Heather Zinninger Yarmel enjoys a versatile career as a soloist, orchestral player, chamber musician, and educator.
Assistant Principal Flute of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, she previously held the position of Principal Flute of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra where she was featured as a soloist with the orchestra on several occasions. She has also performed as a guest with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Houston Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, Rhode Island Philharmonic, and New World Symphony.
Yarmel shares her passion for chamber music by regularly performing with and serving on the artistic board of Milwaukee Musaik. Summer festival appearances include Midsummer's Music, Lakes Area Music Festival, Tanglewood, Music Academy of the West, and National Repertory Orchestra.
A prizewinner in several national competitions, including the National Flute Association’s Orchestral Audition Competition where she was awarded first prize, Heather earned a Master’s Degree from Rice University and a Bachelor’s Degree from the Eastman School of Music. Yarmel grew up in Louisville, KY and spent her senior year of high school at Interlochen Arts Academy. Her primary teachers include Leone Buyse, Bonita Boyd, Tallon Perkes, and Donald Gottlieb.
A devoted educator, she performs with the MSO Colors of Music Ensemble as part of the Arts in Community Education (ACE) program, regularly coaches for the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, and teaches private flute lessons.
When not playing the flute, she enjoys taking brisk walks, hiking, gardening, advocating for animal rights, and maintaining a vegan recipe website called Flutes and Veggies.