Heather Blackbird

I’m a singer and teacher in Portland, Oregon.

I teach unaccompanied ballad singing at Portland Community College.

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, Recordings, Classes

Ballad singing workshop at Tygh Valley Bluegrass Jamboree 9/18-9/20.

Fall Term 2026, Intro to Unaccompanied Ballad Singing class at PCC SE Campus.

EP of original songs on all streaming platforms & collection of unaccompanied ballads and hymns on Bandcamp.