HancockSimmons

Heather Hancock and Stephen Simmons made their American debut performing Mozart’s Double Piano Concerto with the Gardner-Webb Symphony Orchestra in 1994 after winning the Gardner Webb International Concerto competition. They were the first piano duo team to have this distinction. Since then, they have performed extensively throughout the United States playing two piano literature as well as music for piano four-hands. In addition they have given master classes and served as guest lectures for colleges, universities and musical associations throughout the United States. They have been hailed as “the best duo-team bar none” by MTNA (United States) and hold A Newby Award (Newburyport, Massachusettes) for highest artistic achievement. Heather and Stephen met while pursuing their undergraduate degrees in piano performance at The University of North Carolina with Dr. John Salmon. They have also pursued post graduate studies with Dr. Mia Chung (Curtis Conservatory).

Heather lives in The Hague, Netherlands with her husband Jeff and their two children. She is the Artistic Director of Expressions for Justice, an artistry campaign of The International Justice Mission Netherlands. She is also the Director of Worship and Arts for Crossroads International Church of The Hague. She holds a degree in Piano Performance (University of North Carolina) and a Master’s in Theology (Gordon-Conwell Seminary)

Stephen lives in Columbia, South Carolina where he is a Professor of Music. He holds a degree in Piano Performance (University of North Carolina) and both a master’s degree and Doctoral degree in Choral Conducting from The University of South Carolina.