Anne Heaton

• Folk
• Pop
• Singer/Songwriter

Singer-songwriter and classically trained pianist Anne Heaton has amassed awards and praise from critics, fellow artists and fans with her songs that are by turns “tender, barbed and spiritual” (Washington Post). She’s been featured on the New York Times Music Popcast who called her music “absolutely gorgeous.” She has also played on NPR, at the Sundance Film Festival and for Lilith Fair in Boston (2010). Known for the infectious energy of her live performances — “a natural performer [with] a rich, soaring voice” (Seattle Times) —Heaton has played over 1,000 headlining shows nationwide. She has shared the stage with artists such as Sarah McLachlan and jazz drummer Max Roach. Other artists she has opened for/toured with include Jewel, Melissa Ferrick, Paula Cole, Martin Sexton, Chris Trapper, Jonatha Brooke, Susan Werner, Dar Williams, Richard Shindell, Jill Sobule and Julia Sweeney of Saturday Night Live.

Heaton studied Great Books at the University of Notre Dame, writing her senior thesis on Debussy’s piano works. She later enriched her musical experience by studying composition and jazz vocals at The City College of New York. Always a big fan of Peter Gabriel, the Indigo Girls and Tori Amos, she became fascinated by early American spirituals while living in New York City and sang in a Harlem gospel choir directed by John Motley.

Heaton has played over 1,000 headlining shows nationwide. In addition to writing and producing her own albums, Heaton produces records for other songwriters. She also regularly writes custom songs including ones she recently wrote as part of a research project and caregiving program for oncology nurses at the University of Texas-Austin called Songs for the Soul.

Anne often performs with guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Frank Marotta, Jr. and they have played over 1,000 headlining shows together nationwide.  Anne and Frank currently live in Milwaukee where they enjoy coffee, Lake Michigan and being parents to two freethinking daughters. Anne is excited to return to the Club Passim stage with old songs and new songs for an upcoming record she’ll record later this year!