An important Hungarian composer, pianist and teacher, Stephen Heller had his first public appearance at the age 9 with the Dussec Piano concerto. Heller soon became a student of Carl Czerny. For many years Heller lived in Paris where he became closely associated with Hector Berlioz, Frédéric Chopin, Franz Liszt and other distinguished musicians. In Paris, Heller was recognized as an outstanding performer, composer, teacher and writer.