Folk Singer, Music Teacher Wanda Degen presents an entertaining and educational program featuring songs of our northern Michigan heritage. Whether using a wooden flute, a deerskin drum, an autoharp, a hammered dulcimer or a mountain dulcimer, Wanda combines logging songs and sailing songs with descriptions and brief histories of her unique instruments. Active audience participation is encouraged through easy sing alongs, clap alongs and a volunteer old time rhythm band that concludes the concert.
Appropriate for elementary school students and senior citizens alike, appreciated by families for its all-ages appeal, Wanda has presented this program at schools, libraries, senior centers, museums, state parks and national campgrounds since creating it during Michigan's sesquicentennial year in 1987. From 1992 - 2002 she performed every January in the Lumbering Gallery at the Michigan Historical Museum's celebration of Statehood Day in Lansing with Pooh Stevenson adding the sounds of the banjo, cello, guitar and mandolin. In 2001 Wanda began working with Pete Wittig who can add guitar, harmonica & vocal harmonies to her performances.
Wanda Degen is a performing artist listed in the 2006-2009 Michigan Arts & Humanities Touring Directory under "Dulcimer Days with Wanda Degen and Pete Wittig". For six years, beginning in 1998, she worked with Michigan's Great Outdoors Culture Tour presenting summer evening concerts in State Parks and campgrounds in northern Michigan.
"You were great! Our teenager said, ‘That was really good.'!"
- audience member, Oscoda Lumberman's Monument, July 2000
"Wanda's program blends the essence of our state's rich culture and environmental heritage - it's what Michigan's Great Outdoors Culture Tour is all about!"
- Nancy Mathews, Michigan Humanities Council
For bookings call (517) 337-2264 or e-mail wandadegen@att.netweb: http://www.wandadegen.com
Wanda Degen, PO Box 6187, East Lansing, MI 48826
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| Wanda Degen photo by Dave Matchette, January 2001 |