"This music is timeless." - Babysue.com "Singer/songwriter Heather Kropf masters the balance of story and silence, creating a dream field for healing the heart and moving forward on the journey." - Scott Southworth, Digital Rodeo Pittsburgh-based singer/songwriter Heather Kropf grew up in the Pacific Northwest, the daughter of Mennonites. As a student of classical piano and fine art her approach to pop songwriting is intuitive rather than schooled. Early influences included poet writers Joni Mitchell and Suzanne Vega and more recently Kathleen Edwards and Mindy Smith. She has opened for many artists including Bettye LaVette, The Weepies and Chris Smither and has been a regular guest host of the popular AcoustiCafe Open Stage at Pittsburgh’s Club Cafe. Following the release of her third album Hestia in 2009, Kropf was diagnosed with multiple illnesses and was unable to return to music in earnest until 2012, transformed in artistic vision and purpose, with a new collection of songs that eventually became her Kickstarter-funded fourth album, Chrysalis. In every way Chrysalis speaks of a fresh start. Kropf pushes into richer sonic territory in new partnerships with co-producer Jeff Berman, a versatile multi-instrumentalist and composer, and recorded under the guidance of Grammy-winning engineer, Jay Dudt. Her intentional selection of musicians that span diverse genres — from the Pittsburgh Symphony to jazz session players to her Americana/folk rock and singer/songwriter peers — has been instrumental in deepening her signature sound of mid-tempo folk/pop that defies trendiness. Since the album’s release Kropf has been performing frequently, recently opening for Kim Richey, Jill Barber and Eileen Ivers, and appearing at John Platt's (WFUV) On Your Radar showcase at Rockwood Music Hall 3 in New York City. The album has been receiving airplay nationally and internationally. “I feel fortunate to still be making music,“ says Kropf. “Everything is a gift and nothing is guaranteed. I savor each moment I get to do what I do.”