Carol Lynn Maillard


Carol Lynn Maillard is an American actress, singer, and composer. She is one of the founding members of the Grammy Award-winning a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock.

Early life and education

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Maillard was a student of the GESU SCHOOL in Philadelphia and also graduated from John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls' High School. She graduated from The Catholic University of America with a major in theater in 1973

Career

Stage and Screen

Maillard has acting credits that include roles on Broadway ; Off-Broadway ; television ; and film. Much of her career has involved participating in works that are Afro-centric and steeped in African American orality, as well as uplift and support of Black culture

Music

She is a founding member of the group Sweet Honey in the Rock, and has composed and arranged many of that group's songs. Maillard has described the creation of that group as something connecting to the social movements of the time, but also equally inspired by contemporary experimental theater and contemporary popular music. That group has been nominated for a Grammy multiple times, won a Grammy Award for their contribution to the Smithsonian Folkways album, and have won multiple Washington Area Music Awards Wammies Most of her solo compositions are published via 4 Jagelish Music.
In addition to composing and performing with Sweet Honey in the Rock, she has also been a guest vocalist for other artists, including Horace Silver and Betty Buckley.

Personal life

Maillard has a son, Jordan Maillard, who is also a Los Angeles-based musician. He appears with her in the documentary