_{Artist of the Week} 20 Qs for Teri Dunn

Favourite place?
A rugged coastline. Could be the north shore of Lake Superior. Could be Bonavista. 

What’s the strangest/funniest thing that has happened to you on stage?
I was conducting once in a big gala concert at Roy Thomson Hall, and it was a little chaotic backstage with various choirs to warm-up and organize and multiple pre-concert pep-talks to give. In the second half, I walked out to the podium in my fancy sparkling dress, bowed, turned to face the choir, and looked down to realize that I had forgotten to change my shoes and was still wearing my muddy Blundstones.

Tent or hotel?
Tent – unless there are too many mosquitoes.

What was the first opera you ever saw?
My mom took me to see The Marriage of Figaro at the National Arts Centre when I was a teenager. I was singing a lot, and I think she thought it was about time I saw an opera. I didn’t have any idea what it was going to be about – I’d never seen anything like it.

Are there more musicians in your family? If yes, who and what do they play/sing?
Definitely. My family growing up was very musical – my mother MaryAnn was a wonderful early childhood music educator and choral conductor. My brother, Tony, is an amazing multi-faceted musician; he’s a pianist, composer, music teacher and you can find him regularly playing sax and keyboards with various bands in the Ottawa area. My sister is an excellent choral singer in BC, and my dad played guitar. There was always music in our house.

What’s the luckiest thing that has ever happened to you?
Meeting my husband Larry and having our two amazing kids.

What’s the best thing about being an opera artist?
With the CCOC I have a fairly unique way of “being an opera artist” – constantly witnessing kids discovering and falling in love with opera is really gratifying. Not only is it exciting to see them getting excited about singing and being on stage, but it’s wonderful to be a part of something that teaches young people that they can be a meaningful part of something bigger than themselves.

What was your childhood dream job?
I think probably being a teacher – I used to set up “school” in the basement for my younger sister and teach her classes – worksheets, tests and all.

Which album did you listen to last?
I have been listening to Massenet’s Werther – as I prep the CCOC kids who have been cast in the upcoming COC production. I’ve been really loving Colin Davis’ Royal Opera House recording.

Do you have a funny joke for us?
I can never remember jokes, but this is one that was shared by one of the kids at a rehearsal… they have “joke of the day”: What happened when C, E-flat and G walked into the bar? The bartender said, “Sorry, we don’t serve minors.”

When did you know you wanted to be an singer/conductor?
I don’t think it was ever a conscious decision, it always seemed obvious to me that would go into music. While I started with singing earlier in my career, I’ve been fortunate that life has taken me on such an interesting musical path (no straight lines!). I’ve been lucky to have amazing role models and mentors and to have been given some amazing opportunities.

Do you enjoy cooking? If yes, what is your best dish?
I love cooking – and I love eating too – so it works out well. For me, it’s a great creative outlet. I do like trying out new things though, so I’m always looking for the new “best dish.”

What is the best advice you have ever been given?
“You can’t ever repeat yesterday’s good performance, today is either going to be better or worse. So, unless you want it to be worse, you have to plan to make it better.”

What is something most people don’t know about you?
I’m very shy.

Who has been inspiring you lately?
I love being in a job where I am constantly inspired by my colleagues – lately I’ve been in awe of Chelsea Woolley who is directing CCOC’s upcoming Alice in Wonderland. She is a truly creative and brilliant artist and has an amazing way of working with people and bringing out the best in them.

Does working with the children’s chorus help keep you young?
Absolutely! It is fun to work in an environment where you can be at once serious and playful, and it is easy to feed off the energy of young people challenging themselves, and the excitement of their “aha” moments.

Do you believe in fate?
I don’t know if I’d call it fate, but I do really believe that life will take you in amazing and often unexpected directions as long as you are open to it, put in the work and have some faith.

What does it mean to be brave with music?
A lot of people talk about “impostor syndrome.” I think that being brave musically means really believing that you have something to offer.

Are you a perfectionist?
Definitely. I’m constantly trying to figure out better ways to do things. But it’s not achievable – the bar keeps moving!

What’s the most important lesson you learned from childhood?
Don’t underestimate what young people are capable of.