Wilder Deitz grew up accompanying his singer-songwriter father, Ritt Deitz, on tour. As a kid he led bands and played out around Madison, Wisconsin, learning the art of composition both through formal study and gigging.

At the University of Wisconsin, Wilder studied improvisation, bandleading, and pedagogy under NEA Jazz Master Richard Davis. He formed a group that would perform on the radio, on Wisconsin Public Television, and on tour across the Midwest.

He now directs the Wilder Deitz School for Creative Music while continuing to compose, perform, and develop pedagogy for teaching creative musicianship.