Heather Rankin

Heather Rankin is a singer, songwriter, actor, and member of the 6X Juno Award winning band The Rankin Family. As a solo artist she has released two albums: A Fine Line (ECMA/Juno Nom.) and Imagine (ECMA Nom.) Her music video for “We Walk As One” (dir. Scott Simpson) was nominated for ECMA’s Fans’ Choice Video of the Year and her music video for “Titanically” (dir. Thom Fitzgerald) was nominated for ECMA and Music Nova Scotia Awards for Video of the Year. She has taken her solo show to venues across the country, including headlining the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival, hosting Songwriters’ Circles at ECMA Week and at the Nova Scotia SummerFest, performing with the Cape Breton Orchestra at Celtic Colours, with Symphony NS, and with the Calgary Philharmonic. Since 2018 she has also performed with Nova Scotian powerhouses Bette MacDonald, Lucy MacNeil, and Jenn Sheppard in their fan favourite music and sketch comedy show Island Girls.

In 2017 Heather was named a Canada 150 Ambassador, and she took part in the Canada C3 Expedition on Leg 2 between Montréal and Baie Comeau, where she co-wrote the song “River of Nations” with Alex Cuba and Andrea Menard. She has recorded and performed with many artists including The Chieftains, Johnny Reid, Brett Kissel, and Carly Simon. In addition to her live shows, Heather has worked with Bell TV On Demand on two different projects which showcase the vibrant and unique cultural and musical traditions of Cape Breton Island. Heather is an Officer of the Order of Canada known for her deep love and passion for both her Gaelic heritage and her community.