Kern began his studies at the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Mannheim where he graduated with a Diplom in Music Composition and Piano.

Friedrich Heinrich Kern published his dissertation, entitled An Exploration of Compositional Technique in the Operas of Kaaija Saariaho and Christian Jost[6], in 2016.

Kern premiered his arrangement of Mozart's Adagio and Rondo for glass harmonica, flute, oboe, viola and cello with leading members of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and the Calidore String Quartet in May 2019.

[13] In January 2020, Kern performed the American premiere of Johann Friedrich Reichardt's "Rondeau for Glass Harmonica and Strings" with the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia.

[15] His first performance in Paris on March 13, 2020, at the Cité de la Musique was held without audience due to the COVID-19 pandemic but was recorded for broadcast by Radio France.

[16] On March 25, 2023, Theater Kiel hosted the premier of a new ballet, "Flight of Fancy," choreographed by Wubkje Kuindersma, with Kern's music Reflections on a Dream for violin, glass harmonica and orchestra.