The Wimberley siblings, known collectively as the Wimberley Bluegrass Band, have made a notable impact in both the music and academic realms since their formation in 2008. The band, consisting of siblings Danielle, James, Mark, and Michael Wimberley, recently performed at the Canciones House in North Tustin, California, showcasing their unique blend of bluegrass music.
The journey began when a young Michael Wimberley, then just seven years old, and his siblings discovered the high-energy instrumental “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Captivated by the sound, the siblings immersed themselves in bluegrass, with Michael recalling, “That’s when the bluegrass bug bit us.” Their passion for the genre, combined with their natural musical abilities, led to the creation of their band, where each sibling contributes their vocal talents alongside various instruments.
The Wimberleys began performing in the apple country of Oak Glen, California. All four siblings are self-taught musicians who were homeschooled, allowing them to develop their skills together. “We learned by listening a lot and watching people at music jams or at concerts,” James noted, highlighting the advantages of sibling collaboration.
In 2011, the family’s connection to the city of Orange prompted Danielle to enroll at Santiago Canyon College (SCC), where she pursued a degree in business management. Shortly after, Mark and James joined her for dual enrollment, and Michael, at just 13 years old, started his classes in spring 2012. Their time at SCC was marked by strong academic support, particularly from their professor Binh Vu, which enabled them to integrate their musical pursuits with their studies.
The Wimberleys graduated from SCC in spring 2014, each earning two associate degrees. They then transferred to Chapman University, where they continued their academic success, graduating in 2016 with bachelor’s degrees across various fields, including business administration, mathematics, communication studies, and strategic communication. Michael achieved a notable milestone, graduating at the age of 17, the youngest in Chapman’s history, and later earned a law degree from the Fowler School of Law.
While pursuing their degrees, the Wimberleys maintained an active performance schedule, playing 45 shows in the past year across locations such as Southern California, Tennessee, East Texas, and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Their current album, “Where the West Begins,” features cowboy-themed bluegrass, while their holiday album includes a mix of classics and original songs. They will perform holiday favorites from December 19 to 21 with pianist Danny Thomas at Bethel Baptist Church in Santa Ana.
Reflecting on their experiences, the Wimberleys emphasize the significance of their time at SCC. “Our experience at Chapman really could not have happened without our experience at SCC,” Mark stated, acknowledging the mentorship and support they received during their formative years.
Today, all four siblings hold full-time positions: Danielle works in project controls for the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), James serves as a data analyst at CHOC Children’s Hospital, Mark leads marketing and media engagement for Lutheran Social Services of Southern California, and Michael practices as a municipal attorney at Woodruff & Smart.
The Wimberley Bluegrass Band continues to thrive, harmonizing their musical talents with their professional endeavors while inspiring others through their unique journey.
