Dwight D. Heckelman

Dwight Heckelman is a seasoned leader with over 30 years of experience in the music industry, education, non-profits, and business partnerships. His career has been defined by a deep passion for empowering the next generation of creatives through innovative education and development initiatives.

He played a pivotal role in shaping post-secondary music education, leading the design and implementation of the Music, Production, Performance, and Business Management program at Hocking College. He also served as Career Development and Job Recruitment Coordinator at Berklee College of Music, where he connected students with industry opportunities. Recognizing the need for a fresh approach to music industry education, Dwight founded GROOVE U, a groundbreaking two-year music career program in central Ohio. His visionary leadership at GROOVE U earned him recognition in Forbes, which featured him in the article, "How One Bold Entrepreneur is Disrupting the Music Industry Career Education."

Beyond education, Dwight has extensive experience in fundraising, grant writing, partnership development, and large-scale funding campaigns, helping organizations secure the resources needed to thrive. His work continues to bridge the gap between creative talent, education, and industry success. In his spare time, he performs as an amateur race car driver, a semi-professional ukulele player, and a nearly professional interior designer.