DC Blues Society


Home	Blues Jams	News	Calendar	President's Drum	Membership	BITS	Contact Us
Store	Juke Joints	Articles	Bands	Blues on the Dial	Resources	Bulletin Board	Links

DeConstance

Vocalist, Pianist, and Recording Artist Extraordinaire

Born and reared in the Nation's Capital, the product of a music family, DeConstance began singing at the age of two and playing piano at the age of 11. Vocalist, pianist, composer, choir directress, instructor, and teacher who is largely self-taught, DeConstance showcases a collage of styles including jazz, blues, gospel, pop, rock, and oldies. She performs for diverse audiences from gospel concerts to stage productions, banquets, political and educational affairs, national holiday celebrations, national and international conventions, supper clubs, entertainment showcases, military bases, homeless shelters, AIDS events, "feed the needy" affairs, and senior citizen's facilities.

DeConstance has performed extensively in the U.S. and, most recently, in Paris, France. Audiences throughout the Washington Metropolitan Area, in cities around the country and internationally, immensely enjoy her memorable performances. Most notably, her classy, engaging performance style and charismatic vocal prowess has captivated audiences in such prestigious places as the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Renwick Gallery, Ford's Theatre, Warner Theater in DC, Apollo Theater in NY, on Capitol Hill, and in St. Denis, Paris. DeConstance has been a member of several performance ensembles, including the Washington Performing Arts Society, Women and Men of the Gospel, and the Memphis Symphony Chorus, where her dynamic performance style has been featured. She has shared the stage with such greats as Walter Hawkins, Yolanda Adams, Richard Smallwood, Donald Vail, and Twinkie Clark. She has performed at the Center for Southern Folklore on Beale Street and the Exquisite Restaurant both in downtown Memphis. In addition to her road performances, DeConstance performs frequently in Central PA, including at the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts and First Night - State College, and the Penn State University Forum on Black Affairs Martin Luther King, Jr. Banquet. These activities host hundreds-to-thousands of attendees. She has been guest soloist at Unity Christian Church, State College Presbyterian Church, Albright United Methodist, and has been featured in concert and with Fresh Breeze the Band at the American Ale House and Grille and The Vanderbilt Room at the Atherton Hotel in State College PA.

DeConstance has made several television appearances, including DC Today, Jazz Visions, One Washington, The Green Room, and Voices Across America. She has been featured in print, including in the H-Street Xpress, The Washington Afro-American, The Washington Living Magazine and The Network Rag. Her discography includes Feelin' Good, DeConstance Live with the Calvin Jones Trio, Because of You, Be a Witness for Christ Today, Wait on the Lord, and Don't Look Back.

DeConstance is a scholarship recipient, honors graduate, and distinguished alumnus of the University of the District of Columbia in Washington, DC, where she earned an A.A. in music, B.M. in jazz studies, and an M.S. in speech-language pathology. In 1998, she received her Ph.D. in neurological communication disorders from The University of Memphis, and recently accepted an appointment as Chair and Professor of the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at Buffalo State - SUNY. Professionally, DeConstance is a certified speech-language pathologist and a researcher who holds membership and offices in several national organizations. She is founder and proprietor of Miss Coni's Music Center and, for more than 25 years, served as choir directress and pianist for churches and gospel groups in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area.

DeConstance is the recipient of numerous awards, honors, grants, and scholarships for her music as well as for her academic scholarship. Of note, she was awarded a Grant-In-Aid Award from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and has the prestigious honor of being named Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities during her undergraduate music program.

For more information and to hire DeConstance, please contact:
Frank E. Qualls at 814-404-9513

Return to Society Home Page

Return to Festival Home Page

Return to News