About Heather

HEATHER
HEATHER

Heather is an active storyteller, singer-songwriter who performs both traditional stories along with her own stories. She brings them to life through singing, the use of homemade instruments and props, and playing the guitar.

My Story

Heather’s performances transcend all ages and cultures, and preserve the dignity of the heritage they embody.

She is a seasoned, versatile storyteller singer-songwriter who performs both traditional and personal stories, bringing them to life through her vibrancy and unique voice. Known for her musical storytelling, she thrives on reeling her audiences in to sing, participate and simply “be with” her in the storytelling moment.

Children clap, sing, stomp, chant and join in animated tales to get their hearts pumping!

Heather brings a room full of children to life with uplifting, fun stories; includes singing, chants, original spoken word verse poetry, the use of homemade instruments and props, and playing the guitar.

Libraries, schools and daycares for special occasions.

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 performance, too!

“I was impressed with Heather’s storytelling abilities. She adds music to her stories which definitely captivates her audience. I saw her presentation at a librarian’s meeting and I thought it was wonderful.”

Mirella Dobbin, Teacher / Librarian

“I had the pleasure of capturing Heather in action with a group of (grade 7&8) students, both on video and in stills. Heather’s joie-de-vivre and energy were truly enchanting – I found my camera pointed at the students to catch the joy and wonder in their expressions. Heather possesses the delightful ability to entertain, to educate and to connect to draw everyone around her into her stories – stories from her heart that are genuine and that are real. Heather will enlighten and delight children of all ages with her vibrant and active storytelling.”

Will Prentice, Captura Photography and Imaging

“You really know how to engage the kids! Thanks very much again for coming out to our programs. In terms of their literacy, a visit from a storyteller was a benefit for the children who do not speak English as their first language and English is not spoken at home. The more they can hear the language and make connections to things, the better. Ideally this will lead them into reading more books and stories on their own, thus building their literacy skills. It looked like everyone was enjoying your songs and stories. It was a great treat for the kids and adults.”

Ken Martin, Frontier College Literacy, Learning for Life

“You have such warmth and personality, and the ability to bring together a whole room full of people (adults) in a very comfortable way. Your young (Argentine) friend (Silvia De Cesare) mentioned that you inspired her to become a storyteller. I can see why.”

Anna Kertz, Author and Storyteller

“In May, 2011, I was Heather´s interpreter at the International Storytelling Fest in Buenos Aires, where she conducted two workshops for over 50 people each. Her workshop was very well organized, there was relevant information and lots of practice, music and props and the activities were varied, and dynamic. People were eager to participate, and enjoyed the workshop very much. Heather also conducted a workshop for teachers of English in Mercedes (Buenos Aires). In this workshop, she introduced teachers to the art of storytelling and provided them with lots of follow up activites and songs to be used in the classroom. Teachers were thrilled and more than satisfied with this very useful workshop. Heather was very generous in giving teachers the tools to enhance their own school programs, and helping them gain confidence.

Heather is a thoughtful, responsible and well organized workshopist, she is open to participant’s comments and questions and is very sensitive to their needs.”

Silvia De Cesare

“Heather’s storytelling abilities bring positive entertainment to children while instilling important values. Heather willingly catered her stories to accommodate our group’s religious needs and her sing-a-long songs, instruments and props were greatly enjoyed by our campers.”

Natalie, Quest Day Camp

“For our summer program, we had two workshops (three hours each) with Heather for the children aged from 1½ to 12 years old. The children were fascinated with the variety of musical instruments. Heather’s presentation was excellent and well planned. Everything from music to storytelling was interactive, age-appropriate, and fun. I was very impressed with Heather’s sensitive and caring ways when dealing with children in different age groups. Great storytelling & song singing!”

Rowena, Tamarack Day Care Centre

“Heather was a delight to have Heather at the Library over March Break. We had approximately 120 people in attendance. The stories and songs she shared with the children were both engaging and fun, and it was a pleasure to watch the children being drawn into new lands and characters. We would certainly have Heather back to the Library again.”

Laura Murray, Children’s Services Librarian Peterborough Public Library

“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 has not only sought to constantly improve her own performance as a storyteller and musician, she has also worked to provide workshops and events for her colleagues. Each performance has been carefully planned to suit the needs of an audience but as a consummate performer she also has the flexibility to deal with the unexpected and unknown.”

Micki Beck, Folklorist and Storyteller, Jury Chair Storytellers of Canada, Coordinator for the Canadian Children’s Book Centre Tour

Music and Storytelling

For Children

For Young Adults

For Adults

Arts Community Leadership

Heather served as Public Relations representative for the Durham Storytellers in Durham Region for many years, and has been a participating member for close to 30 years.

A regular initiator of community programming, Heather implemented and coordinated former Tellabration concerts, World Storytelling Day Concerts and Canadian Storytelling Day programs, which are now annual presentations involving all members of Durham Storytellers. She facilitated Halloween Happening, as a community service with Durham Storytellers for 12 years at Simcoe Hall Settlement House in Oshawa, a spring-board to her after-school programs, Musical Storytelling Theatre and Cooking Up Stories for the children.

Heather also worked as a hired Artistic Director with Storytelling Toronto for StoryFusion Cabaret! from 2014 – 2020. The adult Storytelling and music cabaret concert series held in Toronto and co-produced by the Backseat Balladeers, was sponsored by Storytelling Toronto through the Ontario Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, and Toronto Arts Council grants. She also coordinated Storytelling Toronto’s Halloween programs for Wychwood Barns annual Boo! at the Barns in October for several years.

A recipient of Storytelling Toronto’s Alice Kane and Anne Smythe Awards, Heather also received grants from Storytellers of Canada for Culture Days,  Canadian Storytelling Day, World Storytelling Day, and produced an online ballad concert Murder They Sang during the pandemic with colleagues.

In 2005 Heather received the former Whitby Race Relations and Diversity Committee and the Whitby Mayor’s grant to facilitate school and library storytelling programming with Durham Storytellers for Whitby’s Sesquicentennial celebration. (150 years).

One of her fondest experiences was being the first “in house” storyteller for Whitby Station Gallery’s Arts infused programming Reading the Image for grades 7 & 8 during the month of November 2012, performing three days a week.

Heather continues to produce collaborative programs and shows in the community through partnerships and grants, and provides spring-board ideas for teachers and instructors of children and youth programs.

Heather, and storyteller Kesha Christie, recently received the honour of  a City of Oshawa Community Grant – Strong Inclusive Communities – to produce two community concerts in 2024 in partnership with the Oshawa Public Library.

Heather is the editor of Storytellers of Canada’s online calendar featuring public storytelling events across Canada, has served on the board as Human Resource Officer and Director of Memberships, and currently serves on the StorySave committee, and is an SC-Radio-CC producer.

Check out Storytelling events across Canada https://www.storytellers-conteurs.ca/en/events-calendar.html