Dale Duesing, a 1967 Lawrence graduate, has returned this year as artist-in-residence at the Conservatory of Music, a position he has had since 1992. For the past few weeks Lawrence students have been privileged to work with one the world’s leading lyric baritones through masterclasses and personal coachings. Having already given a masterclass on German Lieder, Duesing will hold another public masterclass on arias on March 2 at 5 p.m. in Harper Hall.
After studying at Lawrence under the direction of current professor emeritus Mari Taniguchi, Duesing embarked on what has been a phenomenal professional career.
Since his operatic debut with the San Francisco Opera in 1976, he has performed with such opera companies as the Paris Opera, the Berlin Opera, the Vienna State Opera, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. His recent operatic performances include Nardo in Mozart’s La Finta Giadiniera and Orest in Iphignie en Tauride. As a soloist, his orchestral engagements include the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony, the Boston Symphony, and the Berlin Philharmonic, to name a few.
At his Artist Series concert Feb. 23 in the Memorial Chapel, Duesing spoke highly of the quality education he received from Taniguchi while studying at Lawrence. He credited her with giving him a tremendous foundation in his art. As a tribute to her, he performed part of his senior recital from 1967. Taniguchi, honored by this gesture from her good friend, described Duesing as a “wonderful student and musician.”
Students have also enjoyed the extra attention and encouragement from Duesing in masterclasses, personal coachings, and as a guest in studio classes.
Adam Bruss, a vocal student of Mari Taniguchi, comments on the recent masterclass, “He has a wonderful gift for coaching a beautiful sound out of people without interfering with the technique they already have been taught by their own teacher.”
Tim Sullivan, vocal student of Rico Serbo, adds, “Dale Duesing is a very entertaining person to watch in a masterclass as well as exceedingly helpful to those he is coaching and those who are watching. He is very clear and articulate.”
Though this Saturday brings Duesing’s last scheduled event for this year’s residency, he will undoubtedly continue to support his alma mater either directly as a resident, or from a distance as he represents Lawrence in venues throughout the world.