Donna Khalife is a vocalist, double bassist, composer, and arranger, born in Lebanon.

She began her musical journey with piano lessons at an early age, and in 2003 moved to Paris to pursue her studies in music. Classes in conducting, jazz, and improvisation played a key role in shaping her artistic sensibilities. Over the years, she has deepened her practice in singing, composing, arranging, improvising, as well as piano and double bass performance.

Her eclectic approach has led her to take part in a wide range of projects in Lebanon and abroad, both as a bandleader and sidewoman. She has also collaborated extensively with other art forms, including theater, dance, and cinema.

Donna released her debut album Heavy Dance with her quintet in 2017, followed by Hope is the Thing with Feathers in 2019. In 2025, she unveiled Home under the name Hayeli, her duo project with double bassist Khachatur Savzyan.

Throughout her career, she has performed with artists from across the globe — including France, the US, Sweden, South Africa, Japan, Germany, Armenia, and Lebanon. She is currently working on a new project featuring original music set to poems and texts in Arabic, Armenian, and English.

As an educator, Donna regularly leads improvisation and jazz workshops in Lebanon and internationally, in addition to offering private lessons in voice and improvisation.