Cathy Dunn

Experience

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  Lyric Opera of Chicago

  Feb 1990 - now

  Soprano Chorister

  Upcoming: La Bohème, The Listeners, and The Great Choral Works Concerts. Appeared in over 150 productions in 30 seasons singing alongside the foremost singing actors of our generation and being inspired by many of the world's greatest directors including Peter Sellars, Frank Galati, August Everding, Francesca Zambello, and John Copley.

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  Washington East Opera

  Jan 1996 - Jan 1998

  Co-Founder

  • Co-founded Washington East Opera with Reg Unterseher and Elaine Scherperel-Burgess.• Produced fully-staged productions of Die Fledermaus and Hansel and Gretel with orchestra, Dean Williamson, conductor.• Organized and sang in a Gala Concert and an outreach production of The Telephone.

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  Symphonic Opera Workshops

  Jan 1997 - Jan 1998

  Assistant Director

  Assisted Michael Lochar on Un ballo in maschera at Statni Divadlo, Opava and Robert Didion on Aida at Opera Kosice

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  Opera in the Ozarks at Inspiration Point

  May 2000 - Jul 2005

  Stage Director/Vocal Coach

  Directed the mainstage production of The Magic Flute, and the touring productions of Cendrillon and The Old Man Who Loved Cheese. Cast and directed over 100 opera scenes for several scenes programs. As Assistant Director to Carroll Freeman and Vern Sutton, I worked on La Boheme, L'enfant et les sortileges, Die Fledermaus, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Little Women, La Traviata, and others. Coached many of the singers, both vocally and dramatically, helped build and paint sets and costumes, created and ran supertitles, and provided inspiration! Show less

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  Tulsa Opera

  Jan 2003 - Jan 2006

  Stage Director, Assistant Director

  • Directed Cavalleria Rusticana & I Pagliacci in 2005 and a semi-staged Brundibar in 2006.• Assistant directed productions of Les Contes d'Hoffmann and Don Giovanni in 2003 & 2004, contributing to the success of the performances.• Collaborated with the team at Tulsa Opera to bring these productions to life, honing my organizational skills.

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  Intimate Opera

  Jan 2004 - Jan 2005

  Stage director

  Directed Rigoletto (2004); Starry, Starry Night I &II (2005)

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  First Church of Christ, Scientist, Elmhurst

  Jan 2008 - Sept 2024

  Organist/Pianist

  • Provided service music on Sunday mornings and performed in an annual Praise and Thanksgiving Concert.• Collaborated with the church community to create a meaningful musical experience.• Engaged with congregation members to enhance their worship experience through music.

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  Petite Opera Productions

  Sept 2010 - now

  Resident Stage Director

  Recent: Amahl and the Night Visitors, Dec. 2024; All In, May 2024; The Falling and the Rising, Nov. 2019. Also for POP: Donny G (Don Giovanni set in L.A. in our new translation!), 2018; Assassins, 2016; The Magic Flute 3.0 -A Space Opera (in a translation by the Petite Opera team), 2015; Brundibar, 2014; The World According to Snoopy!!!, 2014; Cosi fan tutte, 2013; The Mikado, 2012; Cendrillon, 2012; Amahl and the Night Visitors, 2011, and Hansel and Gretel, 2010.

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  Bel Cantanti Opera

  May 2011 - Jun 2011

  Stage Director

  Directed Romeo et Juliette in May 2011.

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  Yakima Valley Opera

  Jun 2012 - Aug 2012

  Stage Director

  I loved the cast and crew of this Magic Flute!

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  Main Street Opera

  Sept 2012 - Oct 2012

  Stage Director

  Puccini's Tosca updated to Fascist Italy!

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  Chicago Summer Opera

  Jun 2021 - now

  Stage Director

  • Directed productions of Lucio Silla, Serse, Agrippina, Dido and Aeneas, Orfeo ed Euridice, and Don Giovanni at Chicago Summer Opera.• Collaborated with cast and crew to bring operas to life on stage with creativity, precision, and guidance.

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  Roosevelt University

  Sept 2021 - Dec 2022

  Stage Director

  • Directed five one-act operas including La Dame de Monte Carlo and the Chicago premiere of On Call: Covid 19.• Taught Acting for the Operatic Singer, enhancing performers' skills and stage presence.• Collaborated with production teams to ensure seamless execution of performances.

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  Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church

  Oct 2024 - now

  Organist and pianist

  • Play organ and piano for services, weddings, and funerals at Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church.• Accompany chorus, instrumental ensembles, and soloists, enhancing musical performances.• Collaborate with clergy and music directors to create an uplifting and inspirational worship experience.