Heike Matthiesen (June 27, 1964 – December 22, 2023) was a German classical guitarist born in Braunschweig, Lower Saxony. Born into a family of musicians — her father a choral conductor, her mother a pianist — she initially studied piano from age four before switching to classical guitar at eighteen, beginning with conservatory lessons in Frankfurt. She went on to study at the Frankfurt College of Music and Dramatic Arts and, two years later, began playing with the Frankfurt Opera’s orchestra. After receiving her diploma she became a master-class pupil of Pepe Romero.

Matthiesen performed as a soloist and chamber musician in over 30 countries. She was a prominent advocate for music by women composers and used social media to reach new audiences for classical music; her 2016 album “Guitar Ladies” featured works by women composers spanning the 19th to 21st centuries, including first recordings and a piece written for her.

Sources:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heike_Matthiesen