I’m Heather Maxwell, a vocalist and songwriter specializing in jazz and American classics, including country, alternative, and rock. Backed by 20+ years of international experience across music and media, I offer nuanced performance, strong stylistic versatility, and a high level of professionalism in both live and studio settings. I perform in English and French, with fluency in Bambara, and am based between Los Angeles and Washington, DC.…

Heather Maxwell

PRO

I’m Heather Maxwell, a vocalist and songwriter specializing in jazz and American classics, including country, alternative, and rock. Backed by 20+ years of international experience across music and media, I offer nuanced performance, strong stylistic versatility, and a high level of professionalism in both live and studio settings. I perform in English and French, with fluency in Bambara, and am based between Los Angeles and Washington, DC.…

Next availability:
July 27, 2026

I’m Heather Maxwell, a vocalist and songwriter specializing in jazz and American classics, including country, alternative, and rock.
Backed by 20+ years of international experience across music and media, I offer nuanced performance, strong stylistic versatility, and a high level of professionalism in both live and studio settings. I perform in English and French, with fluency in Bambara, and am based between Los Angeles and Washington, DC.

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Language

English
Fluent
French
Fluent
Bambara
Advanced

Work Experience

Professor of Music at University of Virginia
January 1, 2003 - January 1, 2008
Led and performed music and dance ensembles; created Afro-Pop Festival; designed American music curriculum; taught graduate courses; oversaw staff and multi-cultural teams.
Fulbright Scholar (Teaching and Research in Ethnomusicology) at Conservatoire des Arts et Métiers Multimédia, Bamako, Mali
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2012
Fulbright teaching and research appointment in ethnomusicology; curriculum design and ensemble leadership; contributed to national festivals and recording sessions.
English Voice Coach & Speech Evaluator at micro1
December 31, 2025 - Present
Provide advanced English voice coaching focused on pronunciation, pacing, articulation, vocal clarity, and natural conversational delivery. Evaluate spoken English performance for fluency, tone consistency, and audience engagement across live and recorded formats. Support AI and speech-related projects requiring nuanced assessment of spoken-language performance and vocal quality. Deliver feedback on rhythm, emphasis, intonation, and natural speech flow to improve communication quality.
AI Trainer & Music Domain Specialist at Handshake AI
August 31, 2025 - April 30, 2026
Developed and evaluated domain-specific prompts for large language models in the music domain. Conducted AI-driven audio analysis of timbral, rhythmic, and melodic components to strengthen model understanding of complex musical topics. Maintained high standards for scientific accuracy, clarity, and musical depth in model outputs.
Broadcast Presenter, Producer & Narrator (English/French) at Voice of America (VOA) – Music Time in Africa & Africa 54
September 1, 2012 - May 1, 2026
Served as an English-language presenter and narrator, with regular French-language voice performance for international radio, television, and digital platforms reaching 100M+ weekly viewers and listeners. Recorded scripted and semi-scripted narration with clear diction, expressive delivery, and broadcast-quality audio. Reviewed and adapted scripts in English and French to improve spoken flow, cultural accuracy, and ease of delivery. Delivered live and pre-recorded performances using teleprompters and cue-based prompts. Produced and voiced 150+ podcasts annually while maintaining vocal consistency and clarity across high-volume output. Collaborated with engineers and editors to ensure clean, high-fidelity recordings across platforms.
Voice Actor, Vocalist & Audio Producer at Heather Maxwell Music
December 31, 2007 - Present
Record professional vocal performances for stage, broadcast, and digital media. Deliver expressive performances with precise control of tone, timing, and articulation. Work in professional studio environments using industry-standard recording equipment and DAWs. Apply critical listening skills to evaluate and refine audio quality. Internationally recognized vocalist and performer known for dynamic stage presence, multilingual performance, and storytelling. • Performs in multiple languages (English, French, Bambara, more) • Extensive international touring (Africa, Caribbean, U.S.) • Solo artist, bandleader, and featured vocalist • Strong audience engagement and improvisation
Fulbright Scholar (Teaching & Research in French & Bambara) at Conservatoire des Arts et Métiers Multimédia (Fulbright)
August 1, 2011 - May 1, 2012
Conducted all instruction and research in French and Bambara; taught, evaluated, and corrected spoken language performance with close attention to pronunciation and clarity. Led ensemble recordings and performances for national broadcast and festivals.
French & ESL Instructor at Louisa County Public Schools
July 27, 2008 - April 26, 2011
Taught high school French (Levels I & II) and ESL. Trained students in accurate pronunciation, conversational flow, and listening comprehension. Designed and delivered instructional scripts in both French and English.

Education

Ph.D. at Indiana University
September 1, 1998 - May 4, 2003
Folklore and Ethnomusicology
M.A. at Indiana University
January 11, 1995 - May 1, 1998
B.A. Music (Voice) and Ethnomusicology at University of Michigan
September 1, 1983 - December 11, 1989
Studies in African Musicology, Xylophone, and Dance at School of Performing Arts, University of Ghana, Legon
November 28, 1987 - June 3, 1988
Independent research abroad with University of Michigan

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Government, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Travel & Hospitality
    uniE603 Americana Classic
    This is my studio version of Linda Ronstadt's Americana, country rock classic "When Will I Be Loved", recorded in 2025. vocal music…
    uniE608 On-Air Presenter REEL
    I wrote, produced and presented over 300 entertainment features for TV and multimedia for the Voice of America. Some included live on-air interviews and performances with musicians from around the world. Others were bite-sized, short-form video content for television and multimedia platforms on Africa 54 and Music Time in Africa (both programs on the Voice of America). video entertainment music…
    uniE608 TV Presenter (French Language)
    In my capacity as a music expert and French speaker, this is one of my appearances as a guest on the weekly television program "Vous et Nous" - Voix de l'Amerique, Washington DC. 2025. video french presenter host broadcaster…
    uniE608 Live Jazz
    This is a live performance of the classic "Body and Soul" at the Voice of America in Washington DC. video live jazz vocalist improvisation…