Debra Rue, President of the Oklahoma Federated Music Clubs and the Ponca City Music Club, and Dineo Heilmann, recipient of the 2025 Oklahoma Musician of the Year Award.
Dineo Heilmann honored with state musician award
Dineo Heilmann, former Northern Oklahoma College Fine Arts Division Chair, was honored as the 2025 Oklahoma Musician of the Year at the Steinway Concert Grand Piano Rededication Sunday night at the Dineo Heilmann Auditorium inside the Kinzer Performing Arts Center.
The Ponca City Federated Music Club recently nominated Dineo Heilmann and the OFMC Executive Committee selected for the award.
Heilmann is well-respected as a performer with his talent as a clarinetist. His years at Northern Oklahoma College as Fine Arts Administrator and Director of the Roustabouts performing group influenced the lives of many students. With qualities too numerous to mention, this Oklahoman certainly exemplified through his love of music what it takes to receive this prestigious award.
Heilmann also received a Citation of Congratulations from Oklahoma State Senator Bill Coleman and Representative Ken Luttrell as well as a Commendation from Oklahoma Governor J. Kevin Stitt who stated on the official document “You have made Oklahoma proud!”
Debra Rue, President of the Oklahoma Federated Music Clubs and the Ponca City Music Club, presented Heilmann the awards.
“Dineo comes from a musical family so his talent and lifelong love of music result in this prestigious award which is well deserved,” Rue said.
The National Federation of Music Clubs is the largest non-profit organization in America promoting and supporting American music, performers and music education.
The Oklahoma Federation of Music Clubs and the Ponca City Federated Music Club operate under the umbrella of NFMC. Oklahoma is proud to support American music by performing the music of our country and identifying and promoting key individuals who exemplify the finest qualifications.
Northern Oklahoma College, the state’s first public two-year community college, is a multi-campus, land-grant institution that provides high quality, accessible, and affordable educational opportunities and services.
NOC serves nearly 3,100 students through the home campus in Tonkawa, Enid, and NOC/OSU Gateway Program in Stillwater, and the University Center in Ponca City. Of these students about 80% receive financial aid and/or scholarships. 75% of NOC students complete their degree with zero debt.
The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers associate degrees in three general areas: Arts, Science and Applied Science; the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs; and the Accreditation Commission for Education and Nursing.
For more information about Northern Oklahoma College please call (580) 628-6208 or visit the NOC website at www.noc.edu.
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