Today we’d like to introduce you to Deonna Marie Cattledge.
Hi Deonna Marie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story began in Grand Rapids, MI where I began my studies of Vocal Music at Grand Rapids Community College at the age of 27. I started “late” because I had recently recovered from a drug addiction that I shared with my Mother, Father and a few family members. I’ve been a singer my entire life with hopes to one day sing all over the world. What I wasn’t prepared for, is the tumultuous childhood I would have to survive and the five-year drug addiction I would closely share with my Mother that would inspire the stories and songs that would one day become “The Deonna Marie Experience: From The Crack House to the Opera House”, my one-woman show that debuted at Factory Obscura in 2023.
When I lost myself, the music lifted me up. Rather I was in a foster home or a jail cell music was always there. I remember going to jail for 60 days for unpaid parking tickets. When left alone in the cell with only my thoughts, I had this overwhelming urge to sing after not singing for years due to the drug addiction. I followed the urge and sang for hours before being told to be quiet. I ended up in a cell positioned where my voice echoed through the entire facility. The impact of that day changed my life and gave me a perspective on not only the power of music, but also the power of my voice. That helped to ignite the fire I have to share my voice and my story around the world. I became a celebrity overnight! I chuckle to myself at the thought of being a celebrity in jail.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I made the commitment to become a singer, again, not knowing that it would take me through another set of life challenges I wasn’t expecting. I studied Vocal Performance for 15+ years with four years being at Oklahoma City University where I had the rare opportunity to study with Florence Birdwell, the teacher of Broadway stars Kristin Chenoweth and Kelli O’Hare. I was on top of the world and after I graduated I had my eyes set on following my counterparts to either Broadway or the Metropolitan Opera House.
Instead, after I graduated I was diagnosed with the largest vocal cyst my surgeon had ever seen in his 20 years of practice. It took me three years and an entire team of specialists to recover. During most of that recovery time, I was required to be silent. This was probably the hardest time of my life because it was one of the few times that the music wasn’t there. It couldn’t be there the way I was accustomed to so that I could properly heal. My first year was extremely tough and I fell into a deep depression. However, it was in that silence that I seemed to wake up. I remembered how much I had already overcome throughout my life. I decided to get up and do something about it. I enrolled in the Opera Performance Graduate Program at the University of Central Oklahoma. I was accepted into the Voice program without the ability to sing. It was there that I, my amazing teacher Dr. Barbra Streets, and a team of specialists helped me rebuild my voice, following the surgery. It took me three years to complete the program but with determination, and my support system by my side every step of the way, WE DID IT!!!
Now I have the opportunity to share my voice and story in various ways all over the world. Rather it’s storytelling with The Moth, performing original music, presenting a keynote, acting in film & TV, or coaching clients, my voice will continue to inspire others. I now view “Obstacles and Challenges” as opportunities to evolve. A chance to get to know yourself on a deeper and more intimate level. One of the only times we can’t hide and are forced to look at ourselves for the good, the bad, and the ugly is when we are going through “hard times”. I’m grateful to now have this perspective on what many would perceive as hardships in my life. Now, I understand the old saying, “ What doesn’t kill you, only makes you stronger”.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I love it when I’m asked this question! I think it’s because it took me a long time to be able to answer this question. Most people were taught to do one thing they like and I’ve been able to do ALL the things I love. I was created to use my voice to help uplift the conciseness of humanity and that’s exactly what I do, what I’m known for, and what sets me apart. I am the owner and creator of The Gift of Voice where we offer several Intuitive Vocal Coaching services that I specialize in. I am a professional vocalist and performer. I combine my intuitive gifts and my 15-year formal education to help my clients to release their voice from the inside out. I am one of few in the world with my approach. I was the Vocal Coach for the feature film Cricket (2022) where I trained Skye Dakota Turner (Broadway & Film Singer/Actress) coming directly from the Broadway stage, to sing classically and in Latin for the film. We accomplished, in weeks, what most train for years to accomplish. In addition, I had the opportunity to be the recording artist for “Take My Heart with You”, written by the incomparable Justin Cain Burnett and the theme song for the film.
One of my biggest accomplishments is being featured on PBS.com for co-writing my one-woman show, (with my partner Elizabeth Spencer), “The Deonna Marie Experience | From The Crack House to the Opera House”. I won an Emmy Award in 2024 for a segment covering the show that was produced by OETA’s, Gallery America.
I am also a professional Storyteller, currently touring with The Moth, a Peabody award-winning podcast and storytelling platform that hosts live storytelling events and programs. I have been touring on The Moth’s MainStage storytelling events telling my story everywhere from Toronto, Canada, to NYC, to Tulsa, Oklahoma. I am also a professional actor. My first starring role was in the short film, Boy Mode (2024), where I was nominated for Best Actress. Last but certainly not least, I am a Speaker, connecting with, and now represented by, Loud Management, the best all-women speaking roster in the business. I travel all over the world and tell my unique story, in my unique way featuring singing, storytelling, and specializing in Vocal Serenity, the ability to freely speak your truth, and tell your story without fear, and understanding the power and gift that is the voice. I share my story, my wisdom and experience, and most importantly, my voice.
This is what sets me apart from the rest. I do what I want and FEEL I should do. I am led to do all things voice and I LOVE IT! Rather I’m booked to sing, speak, tell a story, act in a film, or teach others how to be free using their voice, I am always embodying all things VOICE.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My support didn’t come from my family or anybody I knew at the time. I met my supporters along my journey. I believe that’s important to point out because people often find themselves stuck because they are waiting for the people closest to them to “see” them or “lift them up”. I was once one of those people and then one day I realized that wasn’t going to happen. I had to make a decision. After years of waiting on those who I thought would “see” me, I decided to pick myself up and move forward with the vision I had for my life even if I had to walk the path alone. Not long after that decision, I realized people, places, and things were placed in my life, not only to support me, but also to teach me and guide me on the path that is now the life I live every day.
There were so many people used as a beautiful brick on the yellow brick road to my successes in life. However, two people come to mind that had an impact on my life and changed me forever. One is Duane Davis, my first vocal coach. Although I was originally hesitant about the vocal route he envisioned, he was insistent and pushed me for two years, training me in vocal jazz, choral music, musical theatre, and opera. That ended up being one of the best decisions I ever made. I will forever be grateful to Mr. Davis for not only being my musical guide and my teacher but also the father figure I’ve never had or experienced before as well.
The next person I would like to shoutout that was among so many beautiful souls to both light and guide my path, is my beautiful partner, Elizabeth Spencer. I can hardly find words for the deep gratitude I have for her beautiful light in my life for the last 21 years. She’s been on this journey with me and my voice and career since I had my first voice lesson with Mr.Davis. She taught me how I learned so I could be successful. In college, I learned that I had what they called a “learning disability” that caused me to struggle in school and therefore repeat several years of college. Learning this helped me understand the reason I dropped out of high school and later earned my GED.
Liz and I met in college where she was an education/psychology double major. She specialized in the development of the human brain which was exactly what I needed at the time. What still shocks me to this day is that she ended up walking away from her degree program to help me with mine. She literally came to my classes with me and studied with me for years to study ME and learn the best way I could learn and retain the information. She never finished her formal degree. Instead, she studied me and taught me what my learning style was and how to access the inner genius I didn’t know I had. I took the knowledge she taught me and went on to earn 3 formal degrees in Music and Opera performance. To this day she is both my backbone and the backbone for “The Gift of Voice”.
She is the Creative Director of all things “Deonna Marie & Gift of Voice”. She’s in charge of all branding, social media, show production, lighting, and costume design. She is also the leader in several other projects we are currently in the middle of. I know, that’s A LOT and she’s AMAZING both inside and out. I have a phrase I frequently use, “Everybody needs a Liz!” I’ve never been loved and supported so purely and selflessly in my existence and for that, I will forever be changed for the better. I will forever be grateful for her.
Last but certainly not least I had to acknowledge Kelsey and Barney Karper, Tammy Greenman, and the entire Factory Obscura family for saying yes to helping make one of my biggest dreams a reality. I was afraid for a long time to write and share my story. I remember the day I pitched my one-woman show idea to them, “The Deonna Marie Experience| From the Crack House to the Opera House”. I was sweating bullets and prepared to be rejected, but it was just the opposite, they loved it! We decided on a date that day and I couldn’t believe it! They helped me with everything including production, sound, marketing, all the things… but mostly importantly, they gave me a safe space where I felt seen, heard, understood, and a pure love that can’t be measured. I can still feel the warm hugs from all the beautiful unicorn staff I received every day. I consider them family.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.deonnamarie.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialdeonnamarie/#
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deonnamarieofficial
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deonna-marie-cattledge-95705241/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@OfficialDeonnaMarie
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/deonna-cattledge
- Other: https://www.loud-mgmt.com/deonna-marie
