ADVERTISEMENT Trombonist Tristen Heller '22 Follows His Musical Dreams at Bemidji State Tristen Heller playing the trombone in Bemidji State University's Recital Hall. Orchestra which is jointly based out of Little Falls and Brainerd. He has also started guest conducting for ensembles across campus under the direction of Scott Guidry, associate professor and chair in the Department of Music. Heller's conducting debut was at Commencement 2021, but he continues to practice with the university's Symphonic Band under the director Ryan Webber, adjunct music instructor. Tristen Heller started playing the trombone when he was in fifth grade. What started as a hobby quickly grew into a passion and by the time he was in high school, Heller knew he wanted to earnestly pursue a career in music. Originally from Verndale, Heller first learned about Bemidji State when he was a high school junior after he met with Curtis Olson 73, alumnus and adjunct instructor of trombone at the university. "Professor Olson is a hidden gem here. When I realized that Bemidji State has that great of a teacher, it was a clear choice," he said. "Olson was one of the trombone teachers in the country at his prime. He's fantastic and only encouraging. I've never felt like I failed in a lesson, it's always been a supportive and productive environment here." The instrumental music education major is pursuing his degree to work with fellow musicians, he said. His dream is to become a music teacher or band director. "I really like small ensembles and that genuine collaboration to create a musical product," he said. "Those moments when you feel the hair stick up on the back of your neck and your arms. It's at that moment, you just know this is good." Now in his senior year, Heller has established a strong repertoire of performance experience by participating in the university's Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Brass Quintet and Trombone Choir. "The ensembles have been great, especially in my first few years when I was playing alongside upperclassmen who would hold me to a high standard," he said. "Having experienced peers to look up to really propels you up the skills ladder." In Fall 2020, Heller was named principal trombone for the Heartland Symphony "Working with the Symphonic Band has been one of the best experiences I've had at Bemidji State," he said. "I feel more confident in my conducting and student teaching having this experience." Heller will be student teaching at Brainerd. High School during the Spring 2022 semester and after graduation in May 2022 would like to teach somewhere in Minnesota, ideally in the central or northern regions. "My general plan after graduation is to search for an instrumental music teaching position somewhere in Minnesota," he said. "I hope we see a resurgence of music in schools and hopefully when the dust settles with the pandemic, I hope that the great teachers who are on the front lines rebuilding these programs get recognized for their efforts. Heller is also considering pursuing grad school for Trombone performance after graduation. Bemidji State's Department of Music offers degrees in music vocal or instrumental education, general music. vocal performance, instrumental performance and piano performance and I pedagogy. With over 80 years of tradition, the Bemidji State music department can help you realize your musical goals. Visit https://bit.ly/bsu_music for more information. ADVERTISEMENT Trombonist Tristen Heller '22 Follows His Musical Dreams at Bemidji State Tristen Heller playing the trombone in Bemidji State University's Recital Hall . Orchestra which is jointly based out of Little Falls and Brainerd . He has also started guest conducting for ensembles across campus under the direction of Scott Guidry , associate professor and chair in the Department of Music . Heller's conducting debut was at Commencement 2021 , but he continues to practice with the university's Symphonic Band under the director Ryan Webber , adjunct music instructor . Tristen Heller started playing the trombone when he was in fifth grade . What started as a hobby quickly grew into a passion and by the time he was in high school , Heller knew he wanted to earnestly pursue a career in music . Originally from Verndale , Heller first learned about Bemidji State when he was a high school junior after he met with Curtis Olson 73 , alumnus and adjunct instructor of trombone at the university . " Professor Olson is a hidden gem here . When I realized that Bemidji State has that great of a teacher , it was a clear choice , " he said . " Olson was one of the trombone teachers in the country at his prime . He's fantastic and only encouraging . I've never felt like I failed in a lesson , it's always been a supportive and productive environment here . " The instrumental music education major is pursuing his degree to work with fellow musicians , he said . His dream is to become a music teacher or band director . " I really like small ensembles and that genuine collaboration to create a musical product , " he said . " Those moments when you feel the hair stick up on the back of your neck and your arms . It's at that moment , you just know this is good . " Now in his senior year , Heller has established a strong repertoire of performance experience by participating in the university's Wind Ensemble , Jazz Band , Brass Quintet and Trombone Choir . " The ensembles have been great , especially in my first few years when I was playing alongside upperclassmen who would hold me to a high standard , " he said . " Having experienced peers to look up to really propels you up the skills ladder . " In Fall 2020 , Heller was named principal trombone for the Heartland Symphony " Working with the Symphonic Band has been one of the best experiences I've had at Bemidji State , " he said . " I feel more confident in my conducting and student teaching having this experience . " Heller will be student teaching at Brainerd . High School during the Spring 2022 semester and after graduation in May 2022 would like to teach somewhere in Minnesota , ideally in the central or northern regions . " My general plan after graduation is to search for an instrumental music teaching position somewhere in Minnesota , " he said . " I hope we see a resurgence of music in schools and hopefully when the dust settles with the pandemic , I hope that the great teachers who are on the front lines rebuilding these programs get recognized for their efforts . Heller is also considering pursuing grad school for Trombone performance after graduation . Bemidji State's Department of Music offers degrees in music vocal or instrumental education , general music . vocal performance , instrumental performance and piano performance and I pedagogy . With over 80 years of tradition , the Bemidji State music department can help you realize your musical goals . Visit https://bit.ly/bsu_music for more information .