Singer
Guitarist
Voice Teacher
PHOTO © MICHAEL G. STEWART
A native of Wisconsin, singer and guitarist Dede honed her bluegrass skills from 1975 through 1979 playing throughout the Midwest and Central states with the Milwaukee-based band ’Grass, Food & Lodging. She then moved to New York, where she became a founding member of Tony Trischka and Skyline, one of the leading progressive bluegrass groups of the 1980s. She toured internationally with Skyline through the ’80s. During those years her clear, powerful voice made her a perennial nominee in the annual awards poll of the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America (SPBGMA). As one of the few women at the time who was performing in a high-profile touring bluegrass band, Dede was a role model and an artistic influence for a generation of female bluegrass musicians who would shape the music in the
years to come.
After leaving Skyline in 1987, Dede moved to Tucson, Arizona, and then to the Washington-Baltimore area in 1990, performing regionally and concentrating on her work as a vocal coach. Since 1999, Dede’s singing has won her a shelf full of “Wammie” awards from the Washington Area Music Association. Her first full-length solo recording, “Keep the Light On” (Patuxent Music 189) was released in 2009 followed by her 2018 release “Urge for Going” (Patuxent Music 303). Her career is the subject of its own chapter in Murphy Hicks Henry’s 2013 book “Pretty Good for a Girl: Women in Bluegrass” (University of Illinois Press).
Bio: Musician
WAMA AWARD SHOW PHOTOS © LINDA PARKER
She's truly one of those rare vocalists who can so beautifully and soulfully interpret any number of stylings, from a bluegrass evergreen, or a cowboy yodel, to the blues, or the deepest of heartfelt ballads —a world class singer, to be sure.
Marshall Wilburn
Debbie Kauffman, Glenrock, Pennsylvania
“I cannot say enough about how working with Dede Wyland improved my singing.
I believe all her students would say the same. It is rare that such a great performer is also such an effective teacher..”
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Terry Dyroff, Silver Spring, Maryland “Dede has all the elements essential to being a good teacher. She is a patient, tactful, knowledgeable and highly effective vocal instructor.”
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Tom Mindte, Patuxent Partners Bluegrass Band “When I studied vocal technique with Dede Wyland, my dynamic control improved considerably. I highly recommend Dede for singers of every level.”
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Bill Mulroney, Ashton, Maryland “The quality of my vocals have improved immeasurably with her guidance....and if she can help me, she can help you too!”
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Joe Carr, Music Camp Director, South Plains College, Levelland, TX “It is rare and difficult to find a musician who is both a great performer and an excellent teacher. Dede is that rare individual in both areas. Her soulful and moving vocal styles are impressive to all who hear her and her teaching is effective with students of all levels.”
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Peter Langston, Director, The Puget Sound Guitar Workshop, Seattle, Washington “Dede is one of our favorite vocal teachers. She combines a knowledge of the mechanics of singing with an understanding of the emotional range of the voice.
Testimonials
Since 1994, Dede has helped countless amateurs express themselves through singing, and has guided professionals to their full vocal potential.
Her goal is to help singers find their natural voice, and their style, by teaching techniques that lead to greater range, flexibility, and overall vocal quality. Ultimately, she seeks to give her students tools to bridge the gap between what they feel and what they can express. With this goal in mind, Dede teaches her students basic vocal anatomy, posture, correct breathing, and breath support. Once that foundation is established, she moves on to address each student’s individual needs and musical styles.
Dede studied in New York
City for 7 years with highly regarded singer and voice teacher Rona Klinghoffer, and has also worked with other celebrated coaches focusing on modern technique for non-classical styles of singing.
She studied the anatomy
and physiology of voice
production at the University
of Maryland, is a member of the
National Association of Teachers
of Singing, and makes a point of
staying abreast of developments
in the world of voice teaching.
* Read about Dede's teaching history and practice in this April, 2023 Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine article: "Dede Wyland's Online School of Voice": https://bluegrassunlimited.com/article/dede-wylands-online-school-of-voice/
* FolkLife Grants — FolkLife Grants to study with a traditional roots music master artist are available through the Maryland Arts council. Check out this promotional video from the Council which showcases my work with grant recipient Jonathan Vocke. For more information on a FolkLife grant go to: https://msac.org/programs/maryland-traditions/folklife-apprenticeship.com/
Bio: Teacher
Now available for
• Private Lessons
• Workshops
• Music Camps
Calendar
Appearances, Shows & Workshops
Big Howdy
Wednesday, August 16
(In front of the Friendship Heights
Village Center)
4433 S Park Ave, Chevy Chase,
MD 20815
7-8PM
*In the event of inclement weather, concerts will be moved indoors!
Big Howdy
Saturday, Sept 9
18400 Muncaster Road, Derwood MD
Afternoon event, set time - TBD
Big Howdy
Saturday, Sept 30
Brentsville Bluegrass Festival
Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre
12229 Bristow Rd.
Bristow, VA 20136
(703) 365-7895
10AM -12PM
For more information:
https://www.pwcva.gov/department/parks-recreation-tourism/brentsville-bluegrass-concert-series
Big Howdy
Sunday, Oct 1
Takoma Park Street Festival
7000 Carroll Ave
Takoma Park, MD
10AM – 5PM, rain or shine
Set time: TBD
Big Howdy
Saturday, Oct 7
Big Howdy’s Bluegrass Showcase w/Special Guests
11010 Rockville Pike, Rockville,
MD 20852
5-7pm
Big Howdy
Saturday, Nov 4
Big Howdy’s Bluegrass Showcase w/Special Guests
11010 Rockville Pike, Rockville,
MD 20852
5-7pm
Big Howdy
Saturday, December 2
Big Howdy’s Bluegrass Showcase w/Special Guests
11010 Rockville Pike, Rockville,
MD 20852
5-7pm
Big Howdy
Thursday, June 8th
Private Event
Brooklandville, MD
*Why not get Big Howdy to play music at your big event? Email Big Howdy at
mrbarretone@gmail.com
Big Howdy
Saturday, June 10th
Private Event
Chevy Chase, MD
*Why not get Big Howdy to play music at your big event? Email Big Howdy at mrbarretone@gmail.com
Big Howdy
Thursday, June 29
Cherry Hill Park – Concert in the Park
312 Park Ave, Falls Church, VA. 22046
7PM
For more information: https://www.fallschurchva.gov/632/Concerts-in-the-Park
*For a fun evening, bring a blanket or folding chairs and a picnic dinner!
Big Howdy
Saturday, July 1
Big Howdy’s Inaugural Bluegrass Showcase
w/Special Guests!
11010 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852
5-7pm
July 16–21
Levelland, Texas
Camp Bluegrass!
Thinking of going to a bluegrass music camp?
This is one of the best!
I will be teaching bluegrass vocals at this camp focusing on vocal technique, bluegrass style singing and harmony. Come join me at this very special bluegrass camp!
“Camp Bluegrass 2023 is a six-day residential camp which attracts bluegrass musicians from across the nation and around the world. This year will be our 37th year to provide world class instruction on guitar, banjo, mandolin, bass, vocal, songwriting, dobro and fiddle. Make plans to join us!”
South Plains College
1401 College Ave
Levelland, Texas 79336
Website: https://campbluegrass.com/
Contact: https://campbluegrass.com/contact/
Registration: https://campbluegrass.com/registration/
For registration and more information: https://campbluegrass.com/
Big Howdy
Saturday, August 5
Big Howdy’s Inaugural Bluegrass Showcase w/Special Guests!
11010 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852
5-7pm
PHOTO © MICHAEL G. STEWART
Dede's Gallery of Music and Friends
Dede
"Grass Food & Lodging" Reunion (L—R) Tom Schwark, Peter Knupfer, Ken Finkel, Jon Peik, me, Jim price
Vocal Class photo — Puget Sound
Dede
"Kitty Star & the Whereabouts" (L-R) Dede, Chris Sanders, Beth Mead (foreground), Anne Luna
"Mama Tried" (L—R) Tom McLaughlin, Randy Barrett, Me, Ira Gitlin
"Keep the Light On" album band (L—R) Mi ke Munford, Rickie Simpkins, Dede Wyland, Wyatt Rice and Ronnie Simpkins
Dede and Chris Jones
Ira Gitlin and Tom McLaughlin
(L—R) Steve Smith, Jon Weisberger, Ned Luberecki, Alan Munde, Elliott Rogers, Chris Jones, Paula Carr, Joe Carr
(L—R) Rickie Simpkins, Jim Robeson — master engineer, Ronnie Simpkins
Institute of Musical Traditions
(L—R) Dede, Bill Williams, Scott McKnight
"Grass, Food & Lodging 2015" (L—R) Peter Knupfer, Ken Finkel, Jon Peik, Dede, Jim Price
Hot women picker pals! (L—R) Chris Sanders, Janice Rogers, Beth Mead, Anne Luna
PSGW 2016 (L—R) Kathy Kallick, Laurel Bliss, Suzy Thompson
Puget Sound Guitar Workshop Vocal Class 2016!
“Funk Up the ‘Grass!” Chip Py's Locally Grown Web Series with Geff King (bass), Jason “O” Holland (trumpet) and Dari Jay (vocals)
Augusta Bluegrass Week Faculty Concert 2016 (L—R) : Patrick McAvinue (fiddle), Sharon Gilchrist (mandolin), Ira Gitlin (bass) and Ned Lubrecki (banjo).
Leadership Bluegrass Class of 2016, Nashville, Tennessee
Kathy Barwick, Roland White PSGW 2014
(L—R) Tim May, Becky Bueller, Alan Munde, Emory Lester at Kaufman Kamp, 2015
Peter (left) and David McLaughlin
"The Sonoran Dogs" (L—R) Brian Davies, Tyler James, Mark Miracle, Peter McLaughlin
(L—R) Becky Bueller, Missy Raines and Dede at Kaufman Kamp 2015
"Dede & the Do-Rights" (L—R) Scott McKnight, Dede, Tom Bowes, Bill Williams
photo by Michael G. Stewart
Arizona’s finest! (L—R) Nick Coventry, Peter McLaughlin, David McLaughlin, Dede, Brian Davies, Alvin Blaine, Tyler James (missing from photo, the fabulous Mark Miracle)
photo@Heidi Schewel
(L—R) David McLaughlin, Peter McLaughlin, Brian Davies, Dede
photo@Heidi Schewel
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Recordings for Sale
Dede Wyland
Urge for Going
$18. (S&H included)
Online video classes for all ages & skill levels.
1-Year Series Rental
Available Now!
3-Month Series Rental
Available Now!
© Dede Wyland Music 2023