“This is music that breaks any pre-set mold and does so inventively… Eric Heilner has a natural talent and we are the better for hearing his music… Recommended.”
Gapplegate Classical-Modern Music Review
“. . . although Heilner has spent his life playing keyboards, it turns out that he’s talented at composing . . .
Take Effect
“[Heilner has] . . . a wild sensibility filled with virtuosity, fun, beauty, and excitement.”
Ray Lustig – Juilliard Extension Faculty
Award winning composer ERIC HEILNER took a very unconventional journey into composition. A lifelong rock & roll / R&B / blues keyboardist, It wasn’t until he was in his sixties that he first felt the compulsion to compose. He started by studying composition at the Juilliard Extension Division. Within a few years, Heilner was composing fully developed pieces for chamber ensembles and orchestras. His pieces have been performed at various venues in New York City, Moscow, Los Angeles, Milan, Vienna, and Lviv, Ukraine.
Heilner has released two albums of his compositions. In October 2020, he released his first album – Modern Sounds in Classical Music – produced by legendary producer Jack Douglas (John Lennon, Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, Patti Smith, etc). The album features Heilner’s chamber music for strings, woodwinds, and saxophones. The album has gotten excellent reviews and some airplay on college radio stations. In May 2024 Heilner released his second album, titled Blues Phantasia , which features his unique interpretations of the blues and boogie-woogie piano legacy. Both albums are available on available for streaming on most digital platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, etc, etc, or you can purchase a digital download on Bandcamp. You can also listen to some of his more recent compositions here.
Heilner has had significant successes in the international competition arena. His composition Excursion for Piano Trio #4 recently won first place in the prestigious Vienna Classical Music Academy Competition. Other compositions have also garnered 3rd place and honorable mentions.
While Heilner continues to devote most of his time composing, he can still be found playing rock & roll keyboards in his favorite haunts in the wilds of New Jersey. He recently represented the North Jersey Blues Society in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee.
You may keep up with the latest news & events on Facebook or by signing up for Heilner’s humorous monthly news letter Where is Eric.