Dyana Neal
Mid-day Host Dyana Neal has a passion for fashion and cats.
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 am thrilled to say that I will be in the Lyric Opera of Baltimore Chorus as of Fall 2011. I’ve sung 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 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 and will keep you posted on those via my blog.
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.
When I’m not on-air or onstage, I love attending films, concerts, plays, and opera, reading, cooking, traveling, being “Mommy” to our two cats, 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 my best friend, a/k/a my 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
recent posts:
