Heather Blackbird
Unaccompanied Ballads, Old Time, Country, Bluegrass, and Original Songs
I’m a singer and teacher in Portland, Oregon.
I teach unaccompanied ballad singing classes at Portland Community College. I’m in a band called Blackbird Cole with Josh Cole and Friends.
Unaccompanied ballads
The ballads I teach are old poems and stories with a melody sung without musical accompaniment. I learned the songs from other singers, both in person, from song collections of field recordings, and from records of singers I like. The songs are from Appalachia, the Ozarks, Ireland, Scotland, and England.
“This class was incredible.”
Student
“I wouldn’t normally say a class has been life changing, but in this case, it’s warranted.”
Student
Performances & Classes
Spring Term 2026 I will be teaching two Ballad Singing Classes at Portland Community College watch for the catalog for course descriptions and sign up info!
I was on a podcast called Get Up In The Cool. Have a listen!
Heather Blackbird 