Megan
Paullet

Music found Megan Paullet early—and from every direction.

At five years old, she was learning piano by ear after quickly growing impatient with lesson books. She taught herself Dire Straits' Walk of Life, wrote an earnest letter inviting Mark Knopfler to perform at her elementary school talent show, and wore out a pink MP3 player loaded with everything from Peter Gabriel and America to Frank Zappa, Led Zeppelin, Whitney Houston, Janis Joplin, David Bowie, Aretha Franklin, Sara Bareilles, and Joni Mitchell. Somewhere between Betty Buckley's Memory, Frank Zappa's Peaches en Regalia, and Van Morrison's Moondance, music stopped being something she simply loved.

It became how she understood the world.

Ironically, Paullet never formally studied music. A certified elementary and special education teacher by trade, she spent years balancing classrooms, church music programs, and side gigs while quietly building the skills that would eventually define her career. She played organ in church at ten years old, switched from flute to tuba in middle school, marched competitively in high school, and eventually traded a decade-long career as a competitive swimmer for musical theatre after realizing the stage felt far more like home than the starting blocks ever had.

Even then, performing didn't come easily. After overcoming years of debilitating stage fright, she joined her first band in 2014—a turning point that transformed a lifelong passion into a professional career.

Today, Pittsburgh-based singer-songwriter Megan Paullet has become one of the region's fastest-rising independent artists. An award-winning multi-genre vocalist, songwriter, and bandleader, she has developed a signature sound that blends neo-soul, funk, pop-rock, jazz, and singer-songwriter storytelling with powerhouse vocals, sharp songwriting, emotional honesty, and undeniable groove. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has praised her as a "standout" performer whose vocals are both commanding and deeply expressive.

Whether fronting her eight-piece soul, funk, and pop-rock band, Megan Paullet & The HR Department, performing intimate solo concerts, or collaborating across genres, Paullet has built a reputation for performances that feel equally like concerts and conversations—high-energy shows rooted in authenticity, musicianship, and genuine human connection.

Since deciding to pursue music full-time in 2024, her career has accelerated rapidly. She has performed for the NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Washington Wizards, and with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Her performances have taken her everywhere from Stage AE, Heinz Hall, PPG Paints Arena, The Benedum Center, Capital One Arena, and Cheyenne Frontier Days to Highmark First Night Pittsburgh, Picklesburgh, and festivals across the country.

Along the way, she has shared stages with artists including Los Lonely Boys, Petey Pablo, John Hall (Orleans), Josh Gallagher, Mike Massé, FRZY, and numerous acclaimed musicians spanning genres from jazz and bluegrass to rock and Americana.

Her work has earned recognition from the Recording Academy, where she joined the 2026 New Member Class, along with honors including Iron City Rocks Singer/Songwriter of the Year and multiple Josie Music Award nominations. Fiercely independent, she has built her career one show, one song, and one genuine connection at a time.

Her latest releases—including I Just Wanna Stay Home—reflect the same honesty that defines her live performances: infectious melodies paired with candid lyricism exploring modern burnout, vulnerability, resilience, and self-preservation.

Offstage, Paullet remains deeply committed to preserving and celebrating music education while advocating for women throughout the music industry. As a former educator, she believes music has the power to build community, amplify voices, and create meaningful change, and she uses her platform to encourage the next generation of artists to lead with both courage and authenticity.

Whether she's performing for thousands at a festival, mentoring a young musician, or sharing a quiet song with a room full of strangers, her goal remains the same: to leave people feeling seen, inspired, and reminded that music has the remarkable ability to bring us together.

For Megan Paullet, that's always been the point.