Because no one is too old or young for a rich story, an evocative ballad, song, or toe-tapping tune!
Heather is a significant voice in the oral tradition of the performing arts community. She has been a consummate performer for over 30 years. Her specialty is with adults where she marries selected songs with narrative storytelling.
Heather is a regular voice with Durham Storytellers, Storytelling Toronto and Storytellers of Canada. She has performed at many venues in Durham Region such as Parkwood Estates, Whitby Theatre, Saint Francis Centre for the Art and Dubliner’s Irish Pub.
“Thanks to your unique and entertaining storytelling and singing, Pickering Nuclear’s first ever Tuesdays on the Trail was a huge success! The event was found to be both educational and artistic. It was super! Great fun!
Olwen Gover, Senior Communication Advisor, Pickering Nuclear Public Affairs
Heather’s performances have been described as “artistic”, “highly educational”, “interesting”, “refreshing”, “charming”, and “bluesy-cool!”
“I thrive on reeling my audiences in to feel joy, togetherness and belonging, and love sharing my universal programs through a mix of traditional and personal stories and ballads and songs, individually designed for teens and adults alike. Growing up with Scottish, Irish-Liverpudlian and Italian parents and grandparents, I relate intimately to difference and sameness in cultures, impressing on a positive attitude toward humanity. I genuinely embrace my audience and anticipate each and every experience!” – Heather Whaley
Adults reminisce and relate to the blend of authentic stories with the rhythm of folk, blues and jazz influenced songs, often prompting them to share their stories following the performance, too!
“Heather is a well-respected storyteller and storytelling animator. My own recent experience with her was in a collaboration for the 2010 Nuit Blanche, where I hired her, through Storytelling Toronto, to be part of an ensemble of storytellers doing an experimental show titled “your story begins at the Barns”. She was a creative, professional artist to work with, and brings much dedication and passion to her work.”
Dan Yashinsky, Storyteller and Author
Heather’s sessions always include music interspersed with the rhythm of story. She includes traditional, personal and family memoir pieces, some humorous, others more sensitive. Above all, Heather loves to gather and draw people in to just enjoy and be with her in the moment!
In one of her favourite presentations, Stories Behind Songs, Heather enlightens her audience with anecdotes and trivia about contemporary and traditional ballads and songs, and shares the background behind some of her self-penned songs.
Book Heather for in-person or online performances for your library, school, organization, festival or in-house events.
Performances
Good Grief: The Heart of the Matter
A Load off My Chest
True and Tall Tales from a Thunder Bay Girl
For the Love of Johnny
The Ballad of Hudden and Dudden and Donald O’Neary. A fun Irish story and interactive ballad adaptation.
The Boys in Scotland. Personal interactive story and song.
Ar Far A Low and Girl Who Loved to Party
Enabling Gardens, Guelph Storytellers’ Tea and Tales, a weekly LIVE event, a live ONLINE Zoom performance during the pandemic.
It’s That Kind of Love
Story Slam/ Spoken Word/ Poetry 1st runner up Writer’s Community of Durham Region 2008
Rattlings and Rhythms
Stage and house concerts, here partnered with Kim Michele, Harpist.