Hi – I’m Dyana Neal, WBJC’s midday announcer since 1993. I was named “Baltimore’s Best Classical DJ” by Baltimore Magazine in 1996 and was a finalist in the March of Dimes A.I.R. Awards in 1999. I love classical music of all periods, but am especially drawn to early 20th-century Russian pieces and all manner of vocal works, the latter probably because I’m a singer. I was a member of the Baltimore Opera Chorus from 2002-2009 and also sang in the Lyric Opera of Baltimore Chorus. I’ve performed a number of the Gilbert & Sullivan mezzo roles, including Pitti-Sing in “The Mikado” (with Opera AACC), the Fairy Queen in “Iolanthe” (with Victorian Lyric Opera), Inez in “The Gondoliers” (with Washington Savoyards), Peep-Bo in “The Mikado” and Cousin Hebe in “H.M.S. Pinafore” (both with Young Victorian Theatre Company.) I enjoy performing in non-musical shows, too, and have played roles ranging from Georgina in “Our American Cousin” (with New Old Theater) and Louise, the naughty French maid in “Murder on the Nile” to Clara, Freddy Eynesford-Hill’s snooty sister in “Pygmalion” (both at Theatre Hopkins.) My screen work includes two John Waters films – “Pecker” and “Cecil B. DeMented” and the role of Dorothy Dorr in UPN-TV’s “Arrest & Trial”. I also present original cabaret shows from time to time.

My radio career began when I was studying English at the University of Iowa. I became friends with a guy who was a graduate assistant at WSUI, the NPR news affiliate on campus, & he got me an audition for a student announcer job. They started me off on Sunday overnights – midnight to 5am, great for one’s concentration in 7am Spanish class! Eventually, I worked my way up to a weekend afternoon shift & often filled in for full-time hosts who were sick or on vacation. I sometimes did an airshift on WSUI & then put in several hours on KSUI (the UI’s classical station) after that – ah, the things we’ll do when we’re young & want to break into a fun industry. I had a great time at school & Iowa City was a fun, artsy place to spend a few years, but I’d always wanted to live in a larger city, so when I learned that WBJC was looking for a midday announcer, I jumped at the opportunity to come here.

I love attending films, concerts, plays, and operas, sewing, reading, cooking, traveling, being “Mommy” to our two cats, historical reenacting, working out, and collecting antique jewelry. I’m a fashion junkie, too, but I’m no trend victim & have very strong opinions about all kinds of design. In addition to the furbabies, I share a Baltimore rowhouse with husband, Jim.

Drop me a line – I enjoy hearing from listeners – and stay tuned! dneal@bccc.edu

Dyana’s articles:

• The Bohemian Life According to Henri Murger
• The Operatic Outdoorsman: Met Chorus Bass Richard Pearson

recent posts:

• Defenders’ Day: When Citizens Joined Forces With The Military

  Back in 1814, Baltimore found itself under threat of invasion from British troops. Ordinary citizens teamed up forces with the military to defend and protect the city. I spoke with Ranger Ray Snyder about this year’s Defenders’ Day celebrations at Fort McHenry and beyond.

• Nino Rota – The Godfather of Movie Music

  The first two Godfather films are among my all-time favorite movies. (I haven’t seen the third one in its entirety as people are so fond of slamming it, but I’ll get around to it one of these days.) Composer Nino Rota wrote the scores for the first two Godfather films and had a hand in […]

• Holidays at Hampton 2023

  Hampton National Historic Site is preparing for the holiday season once again. Their day-long 2023 celebration, Holidays at Hampton, will start the festivities on Saturday, December 9. I recently spoke with Historic Hampton board member Gayle Economos about this year’s featured activities and performances.