Michelle Held

Michelle Held didn’t set out to be a songwriter—but somewhere between the weight of unspoken things and the desire to make sense of them, the songs came. What began as a search for meaning, connection, and a sense of purpose, slowly unfolded into something others could see themselves in.

Her voice is unmistakable—fragile and fierce, tender with an edge. Her songs are invitations: into grief, into wonder, into the kind of honesty that asks you to stay a little longer than is comfortable. With a poet’s attention and a deep sensitivity to life’s complexities, Michelle builds a world where small moments carry weight and every syllable matters.

Over the years, she’s quietly built a body of work that resonates far beyond her hometown of Detroit. A three-time Honorable Mention recipient in the Telluride Troubadour Contest, and praised by folk legend Tom Paxton, Michelle continues to carve out a thoughtful, steady path—one that honors intention and takes its time. Her songs don’t offer answers, but they listen well. They become something luminous: a way forward, a way back.

Michelle has released one single to date—not out of hesitation, but out of deep care. She’s more interested in what lasts than what’s loud. Her songs have lived most fully on stages, in quiet rooms, and in the hearts of those who carry them home. A full recording is on the horizon, but for now, the songs remain close to the bone.