The Rhythm of Life Through Story and Song
Heather Whaley is best known as a children’s entertainer, musical storyteller and singer songwriter.
She feels “Story and Song together is healing and motivating, and can often make all the difference in the world how we feel on a given day.”
A consummate performer for over 30 years, Heather has learned to more than appreciate the value of stories and music in our lives. Her programs have evolved to embrace change.
Through laughter, tears, sighs, and sometimes a “pin drop” atmosphere, Heather enjoys sharing stories that are just plain fun and full of cadence and rhythm, or touch on social issues, humanity, and give insight into life’s struggles.
My sessions always include music interspersed with the rhythm of story. My style has been described as delightful folk, ‘artistic’ ‘highly educational’ ‘interesting’ ‘refreshing’ ‘charming’ and ‘bluesy cool!’
My involvement with the community and past career help me with every performance as a children’s entertainer.
I have a background as a certified Registered Nursing Assistant, a trained volunteer bunraku puppeteer, and a coordinator with Kids on the Block, a troupe of disabled life-size puppets designed to teach about differences, numerous professional development certificates relating to communications, writing, storytelling, voice, music, and performing. I love to share my knowledge and experience with others in a workshop environment. I’ve also worked as an Adult Fiction and Children’s Library Assistant with the Whitby Public Library for thirteen years where I attained a Certificate to Operate a Small Public Library through Southern Ontario Library Services.
Concerts, Literacy Events
StoryFusion Cabaret. Toronto a love story in words and music
February, traditionally, is the month our thoughts turn to love... and shovelling snow! This February, StoryFusion Cabaret! invites us to focus on tales and tunes about the city we call home. Toronto, a love story in words [...]
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.
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.
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.
Treat yourselves to an unforgettable storytelling experience. In the tradition of the best, Heather magically weaves her stories so that audiences are transported in time and space. Her music and lyrics are a delight. Heather is a real treat!
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!
Presentation had great variety of materials to enhance the ‘imagery’ of the program… (the junior and intermediate audience was) very attentive and keen to attend.
What a sweet cd! I love what you do with ‘The Strange Visitor!” The dance motif is a perfect fit! You must have so much fun working with your audience!
Our school initiative in the last two years has focussed on promoting reading and writing for our students. We were fortunate and thankful for Heather Whaley’s performances which were created for the different grades and age levels starting from Kindergarten to Grade 8.
“Mrs. Whaley provided a wonderful, participatory program blending music, laughter, rhythm and the art of storytelling to celebrate the gift of literacy. She provided an energetic performance geared to our school’s focus.
“It was wonderful to watch students and staff enjoy her interactive performance and the motivational level that was displayed in their follow up work in the classroom. We asked Mrs. Whaley to perform and work with our school community for the last two years.
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.
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.
Excellent – well prepared, captivated kids… I would highly recommend Heather and hope we’ll have her again!
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
Thanks a ton for coming to our school, you were great as USUAL!! Everyone was a Buzz over the concerts and my class made some wonderful drawings of your story and songs…I can’t believe how many they could remember!!