Some artists write songs. Heather Hardy writes worlds.
An award-winning singer-songwriter, educator, and naturalist, Heather creates music that blends heartfelt storytelling, rich melodies, and an unmistakable sense of wonder. Her songs invite listeners into deeply personal narratives while celebrating the beauty, mystery, and resilience of the natural world.
Heather’s songwriting journey began in an unlikely place—a retired shrimping boat named Halcyon, permanently moored in North Harbor, Petersburg, Alaska, where she wrote her very first song. From those humble beginnings, years of traveling, teaching, and exploring the outdoors shaped both her songwriting and her unique artistic voice.
Now based in Maine, Heather has become known for lyrics that paint vivid emotional landscapes, memorable melodies, and performances that effortlessly draw audiences into every story she tells. Her distinctive style has earned numerous accolades, including First Place in the 2013 Maine Songwriting Contest and Second Place in the 2012 New England Songwriting Contest, while also earning recognition at the Ossipee Valley Folk Festival. She has shared the stage with respected artists including Dave Mallett and Kate Schrock.
As a performer, Heather is anything but conventional. Beyond her expressive vocals, she incorporates humming, howling, and her signature mouth trumpet into her music. She also plays ukulele and brings inventive musicianship to the stage by transforming her guitar into a stand-up bass, creating performances that are both intimate and delightfully unexpected.
Her album Howl showcases these talents beautifully, weaving together thoughtful lyrics, unforgettable melodies, and colorful sonic textures. Each song unfolds like a short story, inviting listeners to experience real life characters, emotions, and moments that linger long after the music ends.
Music has also become Heather’s lifelong gift to others. A dedicated music educator, she has spent years teaching students of all ages while also performing regularly at senior living communities throughout Maine. With a repertoire of hundreds of beloved classics, she creates joyful sing-alongs that often spark treasured memories and heartfelt conversations, demonstrating music’s remarkable ability to connect generations.
Heather’s lifelong fascination with nature took on a new dimension in 2020 when she graduated from the Maine Master Naturalist Program. Today she teaches environmental education to elementary students, leads guided walks through Maine’s nature preserves, and continues to advocate for a deeper appreciation of the natural world.
That passion has inspired her newest body of work, A Nest of Songs, an ongoing collection of music and writing devoted entirely to nature. Through songs celebrating everything from salamanders and evergreens to birds and fragile ecosystems, Heather seeks to foster curiosity, awareness, and conservation through the universal language of music. Whether performing on stage, teaching children about nature, leading a walk through the woods, or writing her next song, Heather Hardy continues to remind us that the most meaningful stories are often found where music and nature meet.
