About Dodie

She's Amazing!

An accomplished and dynamic performer, composer and educator, Dodie Whitaker brings a unique combination of enthusiasm and expertise to a wide variety of musical endeavors. With over 40 years of professional experience in diverse venues such as the Chicago Symphony Center, House of Blues Chicago, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Madison Overture Center, Dodie has cultivated a deep passion for singing with people of all ages, backgrounds and musical experience.

As an internationally renowned community song leader, Dodie's original compositions, heavily influenced by her biracial, Jewish background and inspired by classical, operatic, musical theater and folk music, gained particular popularity during the pandemic by providing a space for connection and creative expression in the virtual realm.

A Chicago native and alumna of the Chicago Children's Choir, Dodie holds degrees from Oberlin College and New England Conservatory. A racial justice facilitator with Holistic Resistance, Dodie founded activist and educational consulting firm Vox for Change in 2020, and is a co-author of the influential document “Who is Community Singing For?” She has held teaching positions at Youth Initiative High School, Viroqua Area Schools and Western Technical College, and currently serves as Assistant Conductor with the RidgeTones community choir.

Dodie’s song circles and workshops connect and empower communities through collaborative singing, team-building and creative expression. Drawing inspiration from her experiences alongside renowned song leaders like Laurence Cole, Melanie DeMore and Lisa Littlebird, Full Voice training with Barbara McAfee, and circle singing with Bobby McFerrin. Dodie’s song circles foster a sense of unity and joy, creating a positive, safe space to explore and build relationships, gain confidence, and experience the power of singing in community with one another.

Dodie is proud to announce that she now offers musical arrangements, transcriptions and editing services–she is excited to put her extensive background in music theory, harmony and notation to work! Please visit the Services tab for more information on this unique opportunity to enhance your creative musical experience!