By Rebecca Wyatt, OU Web Writer

While OU alumna Tamara Bedricky, SBA ’03, has performed with the likes of pop star Michelle Branch, she also was excited to come back to OU and perform as part of the Student Program Board’s Rhythm’s Den series.

While living outside Nashville, Tenn., at the age of 15, Bedricky picked up her brother’s guitar and began to teach herself how to play, modeling her style after Sheryl Crow, Duncan Sheik, Sting and Sarah McLachlan.

“I would close myself in my room and play. When girls were out doing teenage girl things, I was in my room playing guitar,” Bedricky said.

In 2002, Bedricky got what she calls her “itty-bitty break.”  She entered her song “Million Miles” into the Pantene Pro-Voice Competition, a showcase for up-and-coming female songwriters. Bedricky’s song made it to the final four performers, and while she didn’t win, the experience gave her exposure and helped get her foot in the music door.

“That’s when I became more involved in the music scene in Detroit and in Michigan,” Bedricky said.

One of her most memorable experiences came out of the opportunities she had following the Pro-Voice Competition. She was asked to play at the Detroit Music Awards, something she is still very proud of.

“I didn’t even have an album out and they asked me to play,” said Bedricky, who cut her first album in October and hopes to be signed as an artist in the future.

Bedricky didn’t study music in school because she said she saw it as more of a passion. Based on advice from her parents, she went into business administration and said it helps her in her career. What she learned about marketing, time management and writing classes empower her to do a lot of stuff for herself business-wise.

This is the second time Bedricky has returned to perform at her alma mater. 

“I feel really comfortable here,” she said. “This is my school, too.”