The Lawson School of Music

Heather Heim Lawson

Owner/Master Instructor

Heather Heim Lawson 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 (Vocal coaching, piano, Ukulele, Beginner Guitar, Musical Theatre and Kindermusik). Mrs. Heim-Lawson 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, a Kindermusik License. Ms. Heim Lawson has over 11 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), Mrs. 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-Lawson 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 'The Sound of Music Jr.', 'Seussical Jr.', and 'Alice in Wonderland Jr.'.

Many of Ms. Heim Lawson'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 Competitions, performed in Honor's Choirs at Carnegie Hall, and 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 and opera and everything in between. In her free time, Ms. Heim Lawson enjoys yoga, dancing, running, traveling, and spending time with her two pugs.

Kinly Bertram

Master Instructor

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.

At The Lawson School of Music, Ms. Bertram teaches a variety of classes including private and group piano lessons, Musical Theatre Class, Kindermusik, and woodwinds!

Brittany Whitlow

Master Instructor

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.

Carlos Serrano

 Instructor

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.