Our Staff
The Lawson School of Music was founded by Owner/Lead Instructor, Heather Heim and has both a physical location (Elizabethtown, KY) as well as an online community of students. Through the talents, knowledge, and skill of our wonderful teachers, The Lawson School of Music offers a variety of classes including voice, piano, Kindermusik (newborn-7), musical theatre, group classes, guitar, ukulele, songwriting, and more! Classes are offered to students of all ages, developmental stages and skill levels.
We would love to have you join our musical family!
Mission:
- To provide quality music and performance instruction to students of all ages and skill levels.
- To share the power and benefits of music to students to help improve their stress levels, academic success, confidence, and love of music/arts.
- To enhance the arts community both locally and globally.
"Whatever your path, let music be the start
Heather Heim
(Owner/Lead Master Instructor)
Instruments/Classes Taught: Beginner to Advanced Voice, Beginner to Intermediate Piano, Acting, Musical Theater, Kindermusik, Group Voice, Group Acting, College Prep/Music Theory
Heather Heim is the Owner and Lead Instructor at The Lawson School of Music. She is a passionate music instructor and performer and teaches a variety of classes at The Lawson School of Music. Ms. Heim holds degrees from Campbellsville University (Masters of Vocal Performance) and Western Kentucky University (Bachelors of Music in Voice) as well as training from New York University (2009), pedagogical training in the Blaylock Vocal Method, and a Kindermusik License. Ms. Heim Lawson has over 13 years of teaching/vocal coaching experience and is a proud member of The National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS).
Her teaching method has been described as “holistic and empathetic in approach with pedagogical techniques that are accessible and applicable to performers in all genres of music.” In addition to being the owner and lead instructor at The Lawson School of Music (Elizabethtown, KY), Ms. Heim Lawson has worked as adjunct Voice Instructor and Assistant Director to Opera/Musical Theatre productions at Campbellsville University and Indiana University Southeast. In Bowling Green, Kentucky, Ms. Heim Lawson has had the pleasure of being guest Music Director for BG OnStage as well as a regular guest vocal clinician at The Rock Band Academy. Most recently, Ms. Heim has served as Musical Director for The Youth Theatre of Hardin County's production of The Addams Family (2021) and The Little Mermaid (2022). Other productions where she has served as Music Director/Director include 'Alice in Wonderland, Jr.', 'The Sound of Music Jr.', 'Seussical Jr.', and 'Broadway Santa.'.
Many of Ms. Heim's students have gone on to pursue music and performing arts at The University level, landed roles in various musical theatre productions, semi-finalists and finalists in State Fair Talent and various vocal competitions, performed in Honor's Choirs at Carnegie Hall, and have been attendees of The Governor's School for the Arts (GSA).
In addition to teaching, Ms. Heim Lawson can be found performing on stage in everything from musicals to opera and everything in between. In her free time, Heather enjoys yoga, dancing, reading, traveling, and spending time with her two pugs.
Carlos Serrano
(Instructor)
Instruments/Classes Taught: Beginner to Advanced Guitar, Beginner to Intermediate Ukulele, Beginner Bass, Bucket Drumming, Group Ukulele, Beginner Songwriting
Carlos Serrano is a guitarist from Topeka, KS. He began playing guitar at 14 and within his first year had already mastered solo compositions by Chet Atkins, Andrew Yorke, and Ernesto Lecueno. Carlos' prodigious talent led him to pursue guitar performance at Kansas State University where he studied under head jazz instructor/guitarist Dr. Wayne Goins. Due to KSU lacking a major in Jazz Performance, Carlos received a Bachelor of Science in Philosophy with an emphasis in Aesthetics and a minor in Jazz Performance. During this time Carlos became involved in numerous ensembles and developed proficiency in an array of styles including latin jazz, big band, choir, musical pit, and small ensemble bebop.
Since graduation, Serrano has continued to build his abilities through daily practice with an emphasis on blues, rock, and integrating jazz theory into folk styles. When Carlos isn't teaching or causing a ruckus he enjoys intensive gardening, reading, podcasts, and cooking. He currently resides in Mt. Sherman, KY, with his fiance and their overabundance of dogs and cats.
Brittany Whitlow
(Master Instructor)
Instruments/Classes Taught: Beginner to Advanced Voice, Beginner to Intermediate Piano, Singing Starz (Group Voice), Musical Theater, Kindermusik, College Prep/Music Theory
Brittany Whitlow is dedicated music educator, conductor, and performer, Brittany Carter Whitlow has built an
impressive career shaped by academic excellence, leadership, and a passion for vocal and choral music.
Brittany earned a Bachelor of Music Education (BME) degree with a vocal/choral emphasis and P-12 certification from Western Kentucky University (WKU). During undergraduate studies, she served as a Student Board Member, President of the WKU ACDA student chapter (2011), and received several prestigious honors, including the Larnelle and Cynthia Harris Vocal Scholarship, the Dean’s List distinction, and the MERR Scholarship. Brittany is also a proud member of Delta Omicron International Music Fraternity and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Brittany received her Master of Music (MM) degree in choral conducting at WKU, where she served as a Graduate Assistant while actively participating in the Black Graduate Student Association. She is continuing her graduate studies at the University of Arkansas where she is pursuing a certificate in Black Sacred Music.
Professionally, Brittany has over two decades of experience in choir singing and directing for schools and churches, including roles as the Soprano Section Leader at Christ Episcopal Church/WKU since 2011. She has conducted collegiately, notably in 2012, and 2017. She is the
President and founding member of Essence in Harmony, a professional vocal ensemble established to showcase excellence in vocal performance and education of the African diaspora.
As an educator and choral director, Brittany serves as the children’s choir director at Christ Episcopal Church (2013–present). She served as Music Director and Voice Instructor at XClaim! Youth Performing Arts Center (2015–2022). Brittany proudly returned to her Alma Mater as the choir director, assistant band director, theater instructor and Beta sponsor at Warren Central High School in Bowling Green (2017-2024). She currently is the choir director at Bullitt Central High School in Shepherdsville.
Brittany remains actively engaged in professional development, attending annual KMEA conferences since 2005 and ACDA conventions and workshops since 2012. She holds memberships in ACDA, NAfME, and is the Choral Chair-elect for KMEA underscoring her commitment to advancing music education and fostering community through choral excellence.
Kinly Bertram
(Instructor)
Instruments/Classes Taught: Beginner to Advanced Piano, Woodwinds, College Prep, Studio-wide Accompanist
Kinly Bertram is a professional pianist and teacher residing in Elizabethtown. She holds a Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy from Campbellsville University. Ms. Bertram held the position of adjunct staff accompanist at Campbellsville University until 2020, and ran her own independent piano studio since 2014 until joining with The Lawson School of Music. She is a 2009 Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts (GSA) alumnus in piano and has received numerous piano honors and awards in competitions and festivals, including the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Wales. Ms. Bertram has served as a woodwind instructor for Southwestern High School Marching Band, and formerly taught piano, winds, music appreciation and church music at Jubal’s Academy. In her spare time, she enjoys running, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with her cats.
Mariah Lewis
(Administrator)
Mariah Lewis is an Elizabethtown native who currently lives in Texas with her husband and son! Mariah found a passion for performance and voice at her high school alma-mater, Central Hardin High School. Mrs. Lewis is an alum of Bellarmine University where she received her Bachelors in Arts Administration. After graduating she spent two years abroad in Europe exploring culture and art. Upon her return to Kentucky she taught high school English for years before following her heart back to the world of theater and music. Since moving to Texas, Mariah handles invoicing and other administrative duties.
In her free time, you can find her traveling, hanging out with her cats Freda and Georgia, hiking, or on stage performing and perfecting her own craft.
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