She studied piano, violin, and conducting at the Royal Academy of Music in London from 1966 bis 1970.
Her mentor Martin Nicolai, excellent guitarist, composer, viola player and painter, encouraged her to continue after first guitar compositions emerged in 1976.
[2] Her solo album Guitar Ladies features exclusively compositions by women, Sidney Pratten (1821–1895), María Luisa Anido, Ida Presti, Sofia Gubaidulina, Sylvie Bodorová, Annette Kruisbrink, Carmen Guzman (1925–2012), Tatiana Stachak (born 1973) and the work by Linnemann dedicated to the player.
A reviewer summarised: Guitar Ladies by Heike Matthiesen is a wonderful collection of repertoire by prominent and historical composers.
The all-women conceptual base ties the album together and, along with the works by Maria Linnemann dedicated to Matthiesen, represents an important repertoire exploration as well as a personal touch and contribution from the performer.