Following the Hand of God: Heather Stengle ’96
Words: Juliana Bacote '24
Photos: Courtesy of Heather Stengle
Heather Stengle ’96 can attest to how God has woven a thread throughout her life from her time in the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music to the present day. While working toward a Bachelor of Music with Elective Studies in Business, she gained experience that directly ties into the work she has done for the last 20 years.
Stengle credits Wheaton’s smaller size as one reason she received so much hands-on experience, counsel from faculty, and more opportunities than she would have at a larger school. As a student leader for the Artist Series, she managed front-of-house duties and marketing needs for various performances. As a student cabinet member for the College’s symphony orchestra, in which she played the flute, Stengle planned her ensemble’s Florida tour during her senior year. “That was perfect for what I ended up doing with my career and is very specific to what I’m currently doing,” said Stengle. “It was a divine foreshadowing.”
Following graduation, Stengle received dual master’s degrees in arts administration and business administration from the University of Cincinnati. Shortly after completing the program, the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestras hired her as an intern before eventually offering her a full-time position. For the next 25 years, she held five different titles with the orchestras. The last sixteen of those years were spent as the Director of Operations, where she handled day-to-day operations, scheduling the orchestra’s master calendar, stage operations, concert production, and touring. “I got to do some of the most rewarding projects anyone in this industry could have, as I have worked with the world's greatest artists who are at the top of their craft,” she said.
Stengle was enjoying her dream job when she began to feel the Holy Spirit calling her away from it. Although she couldn’t quite articulate what she was feeling and initially resisted the Holy Spirit’s nudge, she could not ignore the feeling that she needed to leave. As a result, she took a leap of faith and left the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestras in January 2022. “Some people respond to the small voice of the Holy Spirit. I needed to be hit over the head with a 2x4, metaphorically speaking.”
This caused her to undergo a professional identity crisis. After spending most of her professional career with the Cincinnati orchestras, Stengle realized that working with them had become integral to her professional identity. Stengle recalled, “I worried about what people, including from Wheaton, would think when I left the orchestra. But I had to overcome the expectations of others.”
Soon after, Stengle and a couple of colleagues started a small production company called PIK Productions, producing events and concerts and offering audio design and mixing services. While running this side business, Stengle also began a short stint in the corporate world, where she was able to develop project management skills and use skills she already possessed. Despite her enjoying the role greatly, this stint ended when a friend recruited her to Classical Movements, a premier orchestra and choir touring company. Stengle completed freelance work for them for six months, during which she was tasked with looking over applicants' resumes for various open positions. She added her own resume to the mix and was hired in the fall of 2024 as Senior Director of Operations. In this role, she directs and facilitates tours for various professional, academic, and elite youth orchestras and choirs, including acclaimed ensembles across the United States.
Stengle identifies several ways her Wheaton education has benefited her throughout her career journey so far, especially when it comes to leading teams. At Wheaton, she learned that teams must have a balance of leadership and service in order to thrive, which she sees happening at Classical Movements. Likewise, Stengle learned relationship-building skills, which are critical in her work and have inspired her to acknowledge the dignity of every person she meets. “Above all, it’s about the people,” said Stengle. “Knowing someone’s name, whether they’re a CEO or a custodian, matters.”
Stengle has also continued to reap the benefits of building a lasting and growing community through Wheaton. Stengle often encounters the Wheaton network when looking for venues and organizations in different cities where Classical Movements wants to tour or host an event. “It’s just all God,” said Stengle. “Undoubtedly, I will come across a Wheaton graduate or someone from Wheaton associated with the exact place our group needs to be.”
On the other side of her initially intimidating job transition, Stengle sees why God led her into a new venture. Classical Movements and PIK Productions have both required Heather to step out of her comfort zone as she interacts with potential clients. While her previous roles required her to carry out instructions within a predetermined framework, her current positions enable her to be more creative and entrepreneurial. “In some ways, I’m using the talents and skills he’s given me in ways I wasn't at the orchestra and in ways I couldn’t have imagined,” Stengle said. “I have been blessed beyond measure by my new opportunities and by overcoming the need to please anyone other than the Lord.”