BRADENTON, FL, September 08, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Heather Bissell has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Ms. Bissell has established a distinguished career in music education, marked by her innovative approach to piano pedagogy and her commitment to building strong musical communities. Since 2022, she has served as the director and business owner of KDS: Integrated Piano Academy LLC in Bradenton, Florida. In this capacity, Ms. Bissell directs the school's operations, teaches all lessons and group classes, hires teachers for the summer piano institute, develops teacher training programs and manages daily administrative tasks. She is also responsible for outreach efforts to expand the academy's network and adapts methodologies for various instruments, with a focus on the institution's growth and expansion.

Having spent many years in the industry, Ms. Bissell chaired the piano department and served as Suzuki piano director at Winchester Community Music School from 2011 to 2021. During her decade-long tenure, she integrated Kodály, Suzuki and Dalcroze techniques into the curriculum, fostering an environment where students could thrive regardless of their future career paths. Ms. Bissell's leadership was instrumental in developing a program that empowered both students and teachers, emphasizing collaboration among educators, musicians and parents. Her efforts resulted in many students becoming accomplished musicians. Students who have previously studied with Ms. Bissell have gone on to enroll in schools such as: New England Conservatory of Music Prepratory Program, MA, St. John's Prep, MA, Salem State Univeristy, MA, North Carolina School of Performing Arts, Walunt Hill School of Performing Arts, MA, Boston Univeristy, Michigan State University, Penn State Univeristy, Wellesley College and Gordon College, MA. They have also received their own accolades such as Superior Plus Ratings on the National Guild and Royal Conservatory of Music Exams, Talent Scholarship Recipient North Carolina School for the Arts, Honors Program Participant North Carolina School for the Arts, Junior and Senior Honors Recital Participant Univeristy of Southern Maine, Winner Maine All State Jazz and Berkley Jazz Fest, Connecticut State Jazz Festival, Masterclasses with Margreet Francis, Dr. Frank Glazer, Ronald Hawkins, Dr. Sarah Tocco, Jorge Ibanez, and Chiharu Naruse, Junior Showcase Participants at the Hartt School of Music, Portland Youth Orchestra—first chair, French Horn, Handel & Haydn Society Youth Choral Ensemble, MA, District and All State Band, Orchestra and Choir, ME, MA, CT.

Ms. Bissell additionally directed the Massachusetts Suzuki Festival, where she coordinated large-scale events that brought together teachers, students and families to celebrate music education. Her work in this role further demonstrated her ability to build strong communities centered around shared educational values.

Earlier in her career, Ms. Bissell was a faculty member at The Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford. There, she contributed to teacher training initiatives and taught piano using both traditional and Suzuki methods. She began her teaching journey as a Suzuki and traditional piano teacher at a community division school, where she played a key role in developing the Suzuki piano program for over five years.

In addition to her extensive work in music education, Ms. Bissell has professional experience as a dental hygienist. This background provided her with valuable skills in discipline and attention to detail that have complemented her teaching career.

Ms. Bissell completed her undergraduate studies at the University of New England with a bachelor's degree in dental science and prior to that did two years toward a Bachelor of Music at the University of Southern Maine on a full tuition scholarship majoring in piano performance with a minor in vocal performance. Subsequently, she received a master's degree in piano performance with an emphasis in piano pedagogy from The Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford and a second master's degree in Kodály Music Education from the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in Hungary, following completion of an artist's diploma program there as valedictorian of her graduating class. Ms. Bissell is certified in the Suzuki piano method, the Kodály method and Dalcroze Eurhythmics. These certifications have enabled her to integrate diverse pedagogical approaches into her teaching practice. She credits her success to her fantastic mentorships over the years inclduing such teachers as Dr. Orsolya Szabó, Dr. Frank Glazer, Dr. Frank Corliss, Dr. Péter Erdei, Dr. László Nemes, Gábor Virágh, Margreet Francis, Sarolta Platthy, Ittzés Mihály, Zsuzsanna Kontra, Susan Aceto as well as masterclasses with Dr. Jando Jeno, Dr. Nelita True, Dr. Lukas Foss, and Dr. Semour Bernstien.

Actively involved in numerous professional organizations, Ms. Bissell serves as the president and founder of the Florida Suzuki Association Inc. Other affiliations include membership with the International Kodály Society, the Organization of American Kodály Educators, the Kodály Educators of Florida, the Suzuki Association of the Americas, and the Music Teachers National Association, among others. Ms. Bissell is also recognized as a guild judge for the American Musicians College. Beyond her work-related endeavors, she served as a founding member of Circle K in Maine at the University of Southern Maine, a testament to her commitment to service beyond music education.

Ms. Bissell's contributions extend into publishing as a contributor to the Journal of the American Dental Hygienists' Association. Among her accolades are the Steinway Top Teacher Award, recognizing excellence in music instruction, and several academic recognitions such as The Smith Book Award, Sarolta Kodály Scholarship, Graduate Level Teaching Assistantship at the Hartt School of Music which led to being nominated as an alternate recipient of the Fulbright Scholarship in 2008, and several faculty development grants while at Winchester Community Music School that underscore her musicianship. Ms. Bissell's passion for music began at age 5. Already teaching piano at age 14, she became recognized as a finalist in the National Baldwin Piano Competition and received several other accolades starting as early as age 12. Although she initially considered working at larger institutions or public schools, she found her calling in private education, where she could design curricula that inspired both students and teachers.

Looking ahead, Ms. Bissell aims to establish a commercial space for KDS: Integrated Piano Academy LLC while expanding faculty development and enhancing teacher training programs that are both practical and meaningful. She is committed to making these opportunities accessible online while fostering robust in-person learning experiences within Florida's educational landscape.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

# # #