President

Carolyn Eyerly

Eyerly has been a dynamic lead singer in the Washington, D.C. area since 2011. Carolyn was awarded the 2022 WAMMIE for the D.C. area’s Best Bluegrass Artist when she released her gospel CD, The Sunny Side of Life, on the Patuxent Music label.

Carolyn grew up in Northern Virginia listening to Southern Rock and Bluegrass music. As a graduate of the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts, Carolyn anticipated returning to acting after her children had grown, but found bluegrass music to be an overwhelming draw. Carolyn is in two local bands and enjoys gigging & jamming whenever possible!

Carolyn is thrilled to be serving as President of the DC Bluegrass Union. She served as Membership Director since 2018 Carolyn is a graduate of IBMA’s Class of 2024 Leadership Bluegrass program.

Every third Tuesday of each month, Carolyn leads a small ensemble singing comfort songs to the homeless in Fairfax, VA. Additional singers are always welcome!

Vice President and Education Director

Justin Heath

Justin is a multi-instrumentalist, teacher, and guitarist for the progressive stringband band, Cherry Blossom Special. He came to bluegrass for the exciting music, the fun of playing with others, the spontaneity of improvised solos, and the welcoming community of passionate listeners and players. Justin teaches private and group lessons on Guitar, Banjo, and Mandolin. He also runs jam sessions and a monthly bluegrass repertoire class to help students trying to learn the style and boost their jamming skills.

As Education Director Justin works to make bluegrass music more accessible to the broader community and to give aspiring musicians an entry point to the music we love.

Secretary

Kevin Slick

Kevin Slick grew up in central Pennsylvania, in the town of State College where Penn State University is located. Kevin’s father played Bluegrass records around the house while he was growing up and they went to see bands like Flatt and Scruggs at Sunset Park. It wasn’t until Kevin was in college that he seriously got into Bluegrass, Folk, and Roots music. This immersion was furthered by sharing a house with members of the band Whetstone Run which included folks like Marshall Wilborn, Lynn Morris and Chris Jones. Since then, Kevin has hosted a radio show, written, recorded and played music, and also worked as a photographer. Kevin is very active with IBMA. Kevin moved to Virginia in 2024.

Communications Director

Valerie Smith O’Keeffe, MBA , Winchester, Virginia

Valerie recognizes that each day is filled with lessons and hope, Valerie’s professional career has been rich and varied including marketing, communications, and directing, Valerie is currently the Technical Director of the Patsy Cline Theatre in Winchester, Virginia. She is also teaching production at John Handley High School. Valerie enjoys giving back to her community as she volunteers for many events and organizations. Valerie is thrilled to add Communications Director of the DC Bluegrass Union to the list. Valerie is excited to meet more of DCBU’s members and friends in the world of Bluegrass.

Board Member At-Large

Meredith Whipple

Meredith Whipple is Chief of Staff at Public Knowledge, a nonprofit digital rights advocacy organization in Washington, DC. She brings experience in nonprofit management, operations, fundraising, and communications, and holds a Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate from Georgetown University. Through her work in policy and advocacy, she is especially interested in issues affecting artists and creators, including copyright and artificial intelligence. Meredith sings and plays ukulele, and hopes to encourage more ukulele players to get involved in bluegrass music.