Musician Spotlights
Soloist Spotlight
Dwight Parry
Why and when did you start playing music?
My parents subscribed to the “Mozart for Babies” theory, hoping I’d become a doctor. Little did they suspect I’d fall in love with music and choose this crazy, wonderful life!- What instruments did you play as a child?
I played piano for a few years then quit. In the fifth grade, I started playing alto sax and totally loved jazz band. - What are some struggles or challenges, if any, you have overcome in your career?
I struggled with imposter syndrome for a long time, never feeling like the ‘in crowd’, never good enough. The cure was to let go of comparisons to others and truly lean into my passion and joy for the music. - If you were not a musician, what could you see yourself being?
A teacher of some kind. I’m passionate about teaching music, but any subject could satisfy that calling. - Who were your early influences/inspirations?
David Weiss, former oboist with the LAPhil, was a mentor of mine and a huge inspiration. He was a consummate artist and dedicated teacher, but also a vivacious person who loved adventure, surfing, learning and was intensely present with everyone. He taught me that being a successful musician doesn’t mean locking yourself in a practice room and giving up on other interests. - Who or what inspired you that was not music-related?
My father was a devoted family man, always involved and always supportive. He taught me the importance of giving your time and attention to young people, which is so simple, but also such a profound gift. - What is your favorite musician or period of music?
The baroque era was the heyday of the oboe. There is a wealth of repertoire and abundant opportunities for ornamentation and improvisation! - Favorite piece of music to play and/or to hear?
Mahler’s 2nd Symphony, bar none.
Soloist Spotlight
Melissa Harvey
Why and when did you start performing?
When I was around 5 years old, my mom entered my sister and myself into a talent competition. I sang “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” with my sister accompanying me on the piano. We won our age groups and were invited to perform at Carnegie Hall that fall. I had liked singing before then, but after that experience, I knew I wanted singing to be a major part of my life.- Did you play any instruments as a child?
I did! The first instrument I learned was piano. I had this charming, loveable teacher named Lucile Baldwin, whom we knew from the church we attended at the time. She always created a positive, light atmosphere for learning, and I’ll always be grateful for that. At the beginning, I had trouble remembering the middle line of the bass clef. She’d remind me of the answer by saying “Down there in “D” middle.” I also played the flute and piccolo. - What are some struggles or challenges, if any, you have overcome in your career?
I’ve had many struggles throughout my career, but the main one has been having confidence in myself. This has ebbed and flowed throughout different points in my career. What has helped most is remembering I’m not competing against anyone other than myself. My voice is uniquely mine and the inspiration to improve is rooted in that.
Another challenge I’ve experienced is breaking out of the box of what you think your career should look like. For example, my voice fit naturally into “early music.” This, however, was not a style supported by the voice program at the conservatory I attended. The main focus was on opera, namely Mozart – present. I was afraid if I put my efforts into early music, I would be pigeon-holed solely as an early music singer and not considered for more traditional operatic repertoire. What I’ve realized later in my career is that a career is a career. If you can make money singing repertoire outside that of the traditional, that is a career to be just as proud of. - If you were not a singer, what could you see yourself being?
If I were not a singer, I think I would be either an actor or a veterinarian. Two very different things, I know. The psychological aspect of inhabiting a role has always been the most interesting to me, as it informs everything about your character; even the way you sing. When I’ve had the opportunity to perform an entire role that, say, includes a standard audition aria, it’s more informative than any isolated character study I could do. I like delving deep into another’s psyche to fully understand the work I’m performing. As for being a veterinarian, I’ve always loved animals and have followed a vegan lifestyle for the past six years. For now, though, my job outside of singing is being a mom to my incredible 4-year-old son. - Who were your early influences/inspirations?
My sister, who is also an opera singer, was my first musical influence. She was extremely talented and began taking voice lessons at a young age. I knew, while sitting with my dad outside of her lessons, talking about cars and how they work, that I’d rather be in there singing with her! The song, though, that made me realize I truly wanted to pursue singing in college and as a career was “Frühlingsglaube” by Franz Schubert, performed by Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, when I was around 15. I had never heard anything more beautiful and knew then and there I had to sing classical music. - Who or what inspired you that was not music-related?
Throughout my life, my mom has always challenged herself and never takes “no” for an answer. Time and time again throughout her life, she persevered, no matter what. Just as I began college, she was forced to quit her job due to an injury she had sustained. Rather than sitting around and waiting for the next opportunity, she took the NYS Civil Service test and scored 100%. I was so proud of her and still am to this day. She will always be my biggest inspiration. - What is your favorite musician or period of music?
Though he composed very little vocal music, my favorite composer has always been Beethoven. To me, the pairing of passion and beauty in his music is unmatched. Some of my favorites by him are Symphonies 5 & 7 (namely movements 3 and 2, respectively) and Piano Sonata No. 21, Mvt. 1.
I think my favorite period of music depends on my mood that day. In the US, early music gets a bad rap, but it’s truly beautiful and so expressive. Something I appreciate about performing music from the 17 th century, for example, as opposed to traditional opera is that the singer has more freedom to create, choosing ornaments based on the text, having more say in the dramatic direction of a piece, etc. I always feel more like an ensemble with the instrumentalists when I sing music from the late Renaissance/early Baroque, and I really like that feeling.
As far as a favorite musician, it’s German tenor Fritz Wunderlich, hands down. He’s so incredibly musical, sensitive and his singing sounds effortless. The color of his instrument is absolutely gorgeous and always appropriate. - Favorite piece of music to sing and/or to hear?
This is such a tough question! Currently, my favorite piece of music to sing is an aria from an opera called La ville morte by Nadia Boulanger- her only opera, in fact. I had the honor of premiering the fully staged opera, which was composed in 1913, with Greek National Opera this past January. With my voice type, one usually sings lighter arias- happy arias or ones about being in love. This aria, however, is heavier, with the character realizing she’s about to be executed by her own brother. It provides the opportunity to dig deep and sing with one’s soul. I also really enjoy singing music by Franz Schubert (especially the song Ganymed) and Richard Strauss.
Since I can’t give just one favorite to listen to, I’ll share a list of some of my top 10:
- Ich grolle nicht from Dichterliebe by Schumann (sung by Dieskau or Wunderlich, of course)
- Quam pulchra es by John Dunstable (choral piece)
- Zefiro torna e di soave accenti by Monteverdi
- Come un bel dì di Maggio from Andrea Chénier (Umberto Giordano)
- The last two minutes of La Bohème (Puccini)
- The Poulenc Gloria (choral piece)
- Alleluia (choral piece) by Randall Thompson
Soloist Spotlight
Dylan Shelton
Why and when did you start performing?
I started performing at 5 years of age. I’d recruit my siblings and neighborhood kids to assist with magic shows, circus acts, and even melodramas. I had a flair for villainous characters with drawn on mustaches.- Did you play any instruments as a child?
I played the trumpet for two years in grade school, but after getting braces, I switched to the timpani. - What are some struggles or challenges, if any, you have overcome in your career?
Each new show brings fresh challenges, whether it's researching a new script, creating different types of puppets, or learning to use new technology. I try to embrace these challenges as opportunities to grow and evolve as an artist. - If you were not a puppeteer, what could you see yourself being?
If I weren’t an actor or puppeteer, I would have loved to become a professional cyclist. - Who were your early influences/inspirations?
I’ve been inspired by The Muppets, Pee Wee’s Playhouse, The Marx Brothers, Rowan Atkinson, and so many other comedians, puppeteers, and performers. - Who or what inspired you that was not music or theatre related?
I draw a lot of inspiration from children’s literature, particularly the works of Roald Dahl, Dr. Seuss, and Maurice Sendak. - What is your favorite musician or period of music?
I love Beethoven for his dramatic and emotional compositions, which are easily envisioned as pieces of theatre. However, I probably listen to Chopin the most; his soothing music puts me in such a relaxed state of mind. - Favorite piece of music to perform with and/or to hear?
Stravinsky’s “The Firebird Suite” is one of my favorite pieces of music to perform with due to its dynamic storytelling the wave upon wave of dynamic expression.
Soloist Spotlight
Lana Suran
Why and when did you start playing music?
I started taking lessons at the age of five in Stockholm at a local music school- What instruments did you play as a child?
Piano - What are some struggles or challenges, if any, you have overcome in your career?
I think the challenges in my life as a musician have meant different things at different times, a big challenge fifteen years ago seems like a very small problem today and so forth. One of the biggest challenges I faced as a younger musician was learning to let go, trust the process and be happy for my friends in a time where it seemed like everybody around me was having “bigger” success then I and winning competitions left and right. Thankfully this period didn’t last very long and I was able to actually use that time in a way that really benefitted me long-term. - If you were not a musician, what could you see yourself being?
I could see myself being a manager in the music industry or owning a beautiful bookstore. - Who were your early influences/inspirations?
Martha Argerich and Sviatoslav Richter - Who or what inspired you that was not music-related?
Books and Museums - What is your favorite musician or period of music?
I don’t think I can answer this one! It depends on what mood I am in during that specific period, right now I’m in a very Jazzy-period and listening to Keith Jarrett and Fred Hersch a lot. - Favorite piece of music to play and/or to hear?
Also very difficult! To play, I would say anything by Rachmaninoff, and to listen I would say anything by Bach.
Student Spotlight
Olivia Kuntz
Why did you pick SU?
I transferred to SU after I completed one year of community college. I chose SU because the campus was gorgeous, close to the beach, and because I really liked the programs they have to offer here. I was really excited to learn that non-music majors could join almost any ensemble, because I still wanted to be able to play violin in college. I couldn't get involved with music at the community colleges I attended my freshman year, so it was a nice change of pace when I got here!- When did you start playing an instrument?
I started playing instruments right around when I was 3 or 4. None of them stuck until I began taking violin lessons when I was 8, and I've been playing it since. I still like to play around with other instruments, too, but violin has been my main instrument for a long time. - Who is your favorite musician?
My favorite musician is Hillary Hahn! Her technique is impeccable, and I look up to her a lot! Her violin sounds like it sings when she plays, and she has so much passion for what she does. She also did a video with TwoSetViolin on YouTube a few years ago that was pretty funny where she did violin challenges with really difficult violin pieces. - What is your favorite SSO moment?
This would probably have to be when we played the Super Mario Bros. theme at the children's concert in the spring. It was really cool to see how excited the kids got when they heard us play a song from a video game they were all familiar with. They were so happy when we finished playing and gave us a ton of applause! - What is your favorite Dr. Schoyen moment?
I came up to him at the end of one of our concerts with my parents and told him I was really happy to be part of the orchestra here. I thanked him for the positive vibes and encouraging environment the orchestra has, and he assured me that he does his best to keep the orchestra a positive place for students and the community, and he said he was glad I could join the orchestra, too. It made me feel like my presence mattered and that I wasn't just "there." My place in the orchestra mattered, even if I'm just one person in a section of many. - What are your future plans and aspirations?
I plan on getting a job in either Public Relations or Public Affairs after I graduate and getting a place where I can have my rabbit live comfortably with me.
Community Spotlight
Buck Burton
Why and when did you start playing music?
1970 in Jr. High.- What are some struggles or challenges, if any, you have overcome in your musical career?
After teaching Band for 29 years I was told that the next year I would also be teaching Beginning Orchestra. I was quite familiar with the bass but my struggle came with the violin being strung just the opposite from my bass. I'm now 43 years into my teaching career. - When did you join the SSO as a community member?
I joined SSO in the Fall of 2016. - When you are not performing with the SSO, what do you do?
I teach Beginning Band and Orchestra for Wicomico County Public Schools. - Tell us something that we would be surprised to know about you.
On the weekends I'm involved in the antique car and truck hobby. When that season is over I set up an HO model train display in the garage for the Winter. - Who or what inspired you that was not music-related?
The love and support my parents gave me in all of my endeavors. - Favorite SSO piece of music to play and/or to hear?
Mary Did You Know - Favorite Jeff Schoyen conductor story?
Dr. Schoyen's daughter was enrolled in one of my elementary schools. I was nervous about teaching her the viola because I knew she already played quite well. Fortunately she signed up for trumpet! Sorry, that was more of a Schoyen family story.