Dyana Neal

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,” the Fairy Queen in “Iolanthe,” Inez in “The Gondoliers,” Peep-Bo in “The Mikado,” and Cousin Hebe in “H.M.S. Pinafore”. I enjoy performing in non-musical shows, too, and have played roles ranging from Judith Bliss in "Hay Fever," Mrs. Robinson in "The Graduate," and Louise, the naughty French maid in “Murder on the Nile” to Clara, Freddy Eynesford-Hill’s snooty sister in “Pygmalion.” 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 Ava and Sushi (our two cats,) vintage events, 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 husband, Jim.

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