PRIMARY SKILLSExcellence in performanceEffectively listen and collaborate on stageConnect and engage with audiencePaula Held is an Austin-based performing songwriter and student of jazz, with a penchant for melody, storytelling and poetic lyricism. Raised in New England and Spain, her music is informed by a variety of influences from classical music to popular Jazz, Folk, Rock and Blues. She's won songwriting kudos from internationally known songwriting clubs like the Kerrville Folk Festival, Wildflower Festival and the John Lennon Songwriting Contest (double finalist). She’s performed in numerous hallowed listening rooms including Anderson Fair, Bugle Boy, Eddie's Attic, Cactus Cafe, Momos Club, Saxon Pub and Blue Bird Cafe. Paula's original music is described as lyrically rich, melodic and sensual, with a voice reminiscent of Eva Cassidy and Norah Jones.PROJECTSSolo Acoustic | Pop-jazz influenced original music and eclectic mix of coversHeld & Mann | Great American Songbook standards, Americana and original musicPaula Held Quintet | Vocal and traditional jazzRESIDENCIES:Linda's Fine Foods, Wimberley, TX | 2011 - 3/17/20Opal Divine's Austin Grill, Austin, TX | 2018 - 3/17/20AWARDS 2012 New Folk Finalist, Kerrville TX 2012 Finalist Songwriter Serenade contest, Moravia TX 2011 Finalist Wildflower contest, Richardson TX 2010 Double-finalist John Lennon Songwriting Contest, New York NY 2011 Finalist Songwriter Serenade contest, Hallettsville TX 2010 ASG Bluebird Contest winner, Austin 2009 ASG Scholarship recipient, Austin 2008 Bugle Boy Showcase Finalist, La Grange TX 2003 Eddie's Attic Showcase Finalist, Atlanta GAPRESS"Paula Held adds new ideas to the jazz-related work of now famous female artists like Norah Jones, Diana Krall and Madeleine Peyroux. Her songs are beautiful, the melody lines fine, her voice is flexible and sultry, [and] the accompaniment is excellent ..." - Fred Schmale, Real Roots Cafe, The Netherlands

KEY SKILLSExcellent verbal and written communication skillsMaintain positive, professional demeanorCustomer-centric at all timesStrong attention to detailAbility to prioritize and multitaskKnowledge of home-hospitality industry and market trendsAs an Airbnb Superhost (5 consecutive years), I offer two listings with a focus on providing a clean and aesthetically pleasing home-away-from-home to travelers visiting Austin. I've been fortunate to engage with people from all over the world during SXSW, F1 and the multitude of other events Austin hosts throughout the year. Austin is truly a destination city, and continues to grow as an internationally recognized food, film and music industry hotbed.As a host, I create and maintain a safe space that soothes and regenerates. As an Austin-based host, I take pleasure in acting as ambassador to a city known for its diverse, creative mindset. As a musician and Austin resident, I enjoy providing a "local's perspective," pointing visitors to the iconic music venues, restaurants, watering holes and neighborhoods that make Austin so unique and memorable.My listings are rated 4.9 (out of 5) for Cleanliness, Quick responses, Thoughtful touches, Outstanding Hospitality, Stylishness, Local tips and Amazing amenities and Location. These Airbnb category ratings are the result direct customer reviews from over 400 guest reservations since opening my first listing in 2011.Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, it's not possible to attach my listing URLs to the Links tab. If you're a recruiter looking to see the attention to detail I've put into my home-business, please feel free to copy and paste the links below into your search engine field.LISTINGSOh-So-Suite Private Entrance & Bath, 4 mi to DT! https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/33043270Double-Trouble Suite, Private Entrance & Bath, 4 mi to DThttps://www.airbnb.com/rooms/39036071

KEY SKILLSExcellence in performanceAble to successfully convey composer's intentAble to connect with intimate audienceAble to listen & collaborate on stageKnowledge of music theory and stage craftMonthly residency (2011) at upscale family restaurant in Texas Hill Country. Chef prepared foods with a changing seasonal menu served in an intimate setting a mile from Wimberley Square. Performances include selections from Great American Songbook, Folk, Pop and Country classics, & original compositions.PERSONNEL:Monte Mann, guitar (5 yrs)Paul Haake, guitar (2 yrs)Andrew Hardin, guitar (2 yrs)“Paula Held began playing music at my restaurant on February 11, 2011. I have owned a bar, managed and owned restaurants and been a professional musician all of my life. For ten years I wrote a music column. In that time I have seen many hundreds of performers and learned to judge their quality of performance. Very few reach her level of excellence.When Paula picks up her guitar and adjusts her microphone at the beginning of her set, her audience never knows what direction she’ll take. Her tastes are eclectic and her abilities comprehensive. She slides effortlessly from country to jazz standards, to soft rock. When she sings a torch song she sounds like she was tutored by Julie London. When she sings the blues, the intensity of her delivery can cover anyone’s lyrics. Her own singer/songwriter creations span several genres and are remarkably crafted throughout.Though her scope forestalls any boredom at the front tables, it never loses that sense of artistic integrity so essential to a great performer. With a voice that is at once soulful and controlled and a guitar that plays any direction with seeming ease, she stays at the emotional center of of her music, whether it is pain, love, or joy she is projecting."James L. AshLinda’s Fine FoodsWimberley, TX2016PRESS:"A curiously addictive marriage of folk, pop and jazz influences." Arthur Wood, Maverick Magazine, UK

KEY SKILLSExcellence in performanceAble to successfully convey composer's intentAble to connect with audienceAble to listen & collaborate on stageKnowledge of jazz theory and stage craftKnowledge of sound productionMonthly residency (2018) at popular gastro-pub near downtown Austin, with a changing roster of noted local jazz musicians. Performances include selections from Great American Songbook, Bossa Nova and original compositions, to bring vocal and traditional jazz to a new setting in Austin.PERSONNEL (past and present):Monte Mann, guitarTommy Howard, guitarDarin Layne, guitarJon Blondell, bassChris Loveland, bassChris Jones, bassMike Gordon, drumsDaniel Dufour, drumsJessica Mortensen, saxTomas Ramirez, saxPRESS"Paula Held adds new ideas to the jazz-related work of now famous female artists like Norah Jones, Diana Krall and Madeleine Peyroux. Her songs are beautiful, the melody lines fine, her voice is flexible and sultry, [and] the accompaniment is excellent ..." ~ Fred Schmale, Real Roots Cafe, The Netherlands

Provide catering and food preparation assistance to UT Executive Chef Robert Mayberry for large-scale catering events through the year.KEY SKILLSKnowledge of food preparation, set up, serving, tear down and clean upWork well in a fast-paced team settingMaintain an upbeat attitudeAttention to detail in food preparation and presentationProvide excellent customer service

Provided first-point of contact to campers and day use visitors seeking access to LCRA-owned recreational parks. Collected fees, reconciled receipts, managed point of sale, oversaw reservations and cancellations and acted as security liaison.KEY SKILLSExcellence in customer serviceExcellent verbal and written communication skillsExcellent computer skillsKnowledge sales and reconciliations processesKnowledge of park operations and history

Provided first-point of contact to campers and day use visitors seeking access to LCRA-owned recreational parks. Collected fees, reconciled receipts, managed point of sale, oversaw reservations and cancellations and acted as security liaison.KEY SKILLSExcellence in customer serviceExcellent verbal and written communication skillsExcellent computer skillsKnowledge sales and reconciliations processesKnowledge of park operations and history

KEY SKILLSExcellence in performanceAbility to listen and collaborate on stageAble to connect with audienceTwo-year collaboration with noted guitarist Andrew Hardin. Based in Austin and toured California, Oregon and Washington after release of album, DRIVE (2008). Music was focused on presenting original songs from DRIVE, newly created compositions, and covers ranging from Country to Jazz. ANDREW HARDINAndrew Hardin was right hand man to singer-songwriter Tom Russell for over 20 years, touring and recording in the 80s and 90's as "Tom Russell Band's fire-breathing, country-rock electric guitar slinger." Harding produced or co-produced several of Russell's albums and toured internationally with Russell as an acoustic duo.Hardin has four solo acoustic CDs and has performed and/or recorded with notable artists Jimmy Lafave, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Eliza Gilkyson, Dave Alvin, Don Edwards, Butch Hancock among others.PRESS"Paula [Held] is a superb song crafts-person with emotion to spare and a good story at every turn. Andrew is a mellifluous player and an entertaining chap in his own right. I highly recommend that if you see either of these names on the schedule of your favorite club that you leave the dishes for tomorrow and go check them out. Beautiful people, beautiful music, and a chemistry worth investigating!" ~ Ron Welch of the Swinging Gringos (Houston, TX)"The lanky New Yorker ran down country and flamenco on his acoustic with all the flair of 100 mariachis and 1,000 honky-tonkers." - Austin Chronicle"Guitarist Andrew Hardin turned a humble six-string acoustic into an orchestra with his dazzling ability." - Steve Morris, Birmingham, England

KEY SKILLSExcellence in performanceEffectively listen and collaborate on stageKnowledge of music theory and stage craftFour-piece indie-rock band with strong emphasis on harmony, dynamics, melodic hooks, edgy & textured. Featuring Doc Rietman (guitar), Eric Rietman (drums), Nick Grubbs (bass), also members of The "Cash Band," and 2009 Austin Chronicle best-pick Goth band "subNatural" and "Panjoma"

KEY SKILLSExcellent written and verbal communicationAbility to research, develop and execute business marketing strategiesIncreased company profitability through lead generation and branding for computer software solutions provider in five vertical markets including Accounting, Medical, Manufactured Housing and Marine and Materials Management. Reported directly to sales team manager Jay Harmon and Alpha Data Systems owner Chuck Bond.Worked closely with senior management and sales and support teams to develop, design, implement and track marketing strategies for 14 independent software solutionsMaintained in-depth understanding of each vertical market to create timely, relevant and persuasive marketing piecesWrote and published articles in national trade publications addressing key industry issues in the Manufactured Housing marketWrote and distributed press releases for new products in Medical and Marine and Manufactured Housing marketsEstablished partnerships with key industry members, professional organizations and associations within the Manufactured Housing marketDesigned and created sales literature and marketing collateral for 14 independent software solutions Collaborated with sales staff and managers to stay abreast of changes within each marketOversaw production of weekly and monthly mailings, fax and email broadcasts for Marine and Manufactured Housing software solutionsConducted telemarketing activities for lead generation within each marketWrote and designed technical manuals and online tutorials for software solutions in the Manufactured Housing marketSupervised the maintenance of a database of 12,000+ customers and prospective clientsDeveloped, designed and maintained company WebsiteManaged and supervised two support staff membersProvided troubleshooting for software issues and problemsProvided sales assistance to sales team to educate prospective buyers of software solutions within each market