July 11, 2019

Brigitte Heitzer: 'Music is my life'

Music lessons are a must, according to the parents of musical star Brigitte Heitzer. Brigitte started piano lessons at a young age. Her own children also take music lessons. Playing music, singing, or dancing helps their development, in her experience. That's why she wants all children to have access to music, even if there's no money at home. Brigitte Heitzer is an ambassador for the Youth Fund for Sports and Culture.

Brigitte grew up on a large dairy farm in South Limburg. "My grandmother, who lived next door, played the piano fantastically," says Brigitte. "That's where my love of music originated. When I was about six, we started taking piano lessons at home with a private teacher. As a farming family with four children, we weren't well off, and my parents couldn't afford private lessons anymore. Nearby, in Belgium, music lessons were affordable thanks to subsidies. Every Saturday, my mother drove back and forth with all four children to send us to music lessons."

Final musical was the beginning

Brigitte sang in front of an audience for the first time during her final year of elementary school. "I was Baroness van Stoethaspel tot Wielewaal," she laughs. "And I can still remember every word of the song I sang. It made such an impression on me to make music together, sing, and see everyone in character. It was so much fun! That was truly the beginning."

Yet it took years before Brigitte realized the stage was her destiny. “After high school, I had no idea what I wanted. Going to theater or musical theater wasn't even an option. I was a complete novice back then and was terrified at the thought of having to go to the big city. I studied Social Pedagogical Support in Maastricht. After that, I started working. In retrospect, that was important because during that period, I was able to develop myself safely and grow strong. Only when I had enough self-confidence did I take the chance and successfully audition for the conservatory in Brussels.”

Evita

Brigitte's big breakthrough came after winning the TV show Evita. "Looking back, that was a huge learning experience. We were practically locked up in the studio for eight weeks and had a lot of fun together. I also starred in Tarzan. I barely had time for friends and family during that period, but I actually really enjoyed that isolation. And then I won... Back in the outside world, I experienced what it's like to be on TV. Everyone has an opinion about you and thinks you're a bit of theirs. I wasn't prepared for that at all. Then came the rehearsal period. Evita is a tough role, and all that fuss came with it. It was very difficult; I really went to great lengths. After Evita, my boyfriend and I went traveling for four months, which was good for me. Fortunately, I rediscovered my joy in acting afterward. The fuss surrounding it still isn't my thing, but it's just part of it."

Music helps

"Music is my life, my outlet. It makes me so happy and I'm so glad I've been able to make it my profession," says Brigitte. "Music is also so important for children. They respond to it immediately, even babies in the womb. When children make music or dance, it helps their development enormously. It's such a shame that music lessons at school are no longer a given. As a result, children have to take music lessons outside of school, and that costs money. That's why I'm happy to be an ambassador for the Youth Fund for Sports & Culture. Even if there's no money at home, children should be able to take music lessons. That's what I'm committed to!"