Musician
DeeDee Tibbits, hammered dulcimer extraordinaire, began her impressive musical career in Michigan’s thumb, growing up as part of the musical Bauman family. By age 12, DeeDee was already an accomplished musician with a repertoire of at least four instruments.
After she and husband Russ were married and had daughters Melody and Megan, the family performed vocal and instrumental concerts all over the United States and Canada with the musical group “Living Truth”. In her travels, DeeDee began a most unique collection of “unusual” antique instruments that she quickly learned to play and incorporate into their performances. With the passion of a great teacher, she researched each instrument and still delights in providing her audiences with fascinating tidbits and historical facts.
Performer
As if they are dear friends, DeeDee weaves story and background for her unusual instruments throughout her performance and thrills to demonstrate the Japanese Koto, Hurdy-Gurdy, Native American Flute, Indian Mouthbow, Ukelin, Melodica, or various Marxochime instruments that are over 100 years old.
“DeeDee’s special gift of playing from her heart, projecting a certain delicacy and sensitivity comes through in a way that is clearly portrayed in her slower, more meditative pieces. That said, she is not shy with dynamics in her more spirited pieces and plays with passion and verve.”
– Bob Hubbach
Performance Venues
- The State Theatre – Bay City, MI
- Fischer Hall – Frankenmuth, MI
- Evart Dulcimer Festival – Evart, MI
- Midland Folk Music Festival – Midland, MI
- Tall Ships Festival – Bay City, MI
- Tuscola County Historical Society
- Knoxville Dulcimer Club – Knoxville, TN
- Port Austin Theatre – Port Austin, MI
- The Ancient Order of Hibernians – Bay City, MI
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- Port Austin Music in the Park – Port Austin, MI
- Tuscola County Celtic Heritage Festival
- The Flint Banjo Club
- Cass City Music in the Park – Cass City, MI
- Caro Music in the Park – Caro, MI
- Gladwin Summer Concert Series – Gladwin, MI
- Horizons Conference Center – Saginaw, MI
- Midland Folk Society Concert Series
Teacher
Home for DeeDee for over 45 years, Caro, Michigan is where she has her music studio that currently serves 50 private students from around the state of Michigan ranging in age from 4 to 84 with a focus on seven instruments.
Prior to her 18 years of performance touring, DeeDee earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Central Michigan University and taught K-12 music for 13 years in public schools and five additional years in private schools.
Whether in her studio, at a festival, or within a concert performance, DeeDee is passionate about helping listeners and musicians alike fall deeper in love with the music that surrounds our lives.
Teaching Workshop/Festival Venues
- Kentucky Music Week
- Silver Strings Dulcimer Society
- North Carolina Music Festival – John C. Campbell Folk School
- Interlochen Immersive Dulcimer Gathering – Interlochen, MI
- Mt. Dora Dulcimer Gathering – Mt. Dora, FL
- Buckeye Festival – Ashley, OH
- Gateway Music Festival – St. Louis, MO
- Dulci-More Festival – Lisbon, OH
- Evart Dulcimer Fest – Evart, MI
- Midland Folk Music Festival – Midland, MI
- Annual Dulcimer Chautauqua on the Wabash – New Harmony, IN
- Allegany Gathering – Pennsylvania
- Southern Ontario Dulcimer Association
- Elderly Instruments – Lansing, MI
