About Deirdre

A native of India, Deirdre began her musical training under her mother, Celia Lobo, well known opera singer, theater director, and voice teacher in India.  Deirdre has attained her Bachelor of Music Degree University of Santo Tomas; Master Degree University of Colorado; and Post-Graduate Diploma Peabody Conservatory of Music.

Deirdre’s most recent accomplishments include: GRAND PRIZE in the FanFaire Foundation Messiah Soloist Competition, San Diego, California (Dec 4, 2011), and SECOND PRIZE in the Barry Alexander International Vocal Competition, New York (Dec 19, 2011).

She has studied with Marilyn Zschau, Herman Le Roux, Robert Harrison, and Phyllis Bryn-Julson.  Additionally, she has coached with Kathryn Cathcart, Richard Boldrey, the late Joann Grillo, Hanna Ludwig, Martin Isepp, and Charles Worth.  She currently studies with Voltaire Verzosa, and coaches with Richard Harrell, and Peter Grunberg.

Deirdre has worked with conductors such as Francisco Feliciano (Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra), Joseph Esmilla (Manila Chamber Orchestra), Coomi Wadia (Paranjoti Chorus and Bombay Chamber Orchestra), Alfred D’Souza (Stop-Gaps Chorus), Francois Legrand (World Philharmonic), Amelita Guevarra (Coro de San Antonio), Shulamit Hoffmann (Viva la Musica), David Ramadanoff (Master Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra), and Dr. Angela Yeung (Greater San Diego Community Orchestra), just to name a few.

As a versatile artist, Deirdre frequently performs as soloist in concert, and in recital internationally as well as in the USA.  Deirdre has been soloist for the Messiah (Handel), Creation (Haydn), Gloria (Vivaldi), Magnificat (Vivaldi), Christmas Cantata (J.S. Bach), Mass in G (Schubert), Seven Last Words of Christ (Dubois), Ceremony of Carols (Britten), Magnificat (Pergolesi), The Armed Men (Jenkins), Magnificat (J.S. Bach), Mass in C Major (Beethoven), and Requiem (Mozart), among others.

In 1996, Deirdre was invited to sing in Sangat an Indian International Music Festival held in Bombay, sponsored by the Mehli Mehta Foundation, and chaired by Zubin Mehta.  In the San Francisco Bay Area, Deirdre has performed frequently in recital with the Rossmoor Concert Series, Noontime Concerts, Santa Rosa Concert Series, and the Community Music Center Concert Series. Deirdre made her operatic debut playing the role of The First Lady in the Magic Flute.  Other roles include: The Mother in Hansel and Gretel, and the snake and flower in The Little Prince. Deirdre has also covered the role of Amelia in Un Ballo in Maschera.

It was from 1997 through 2004 that Deirdre took a sabbatical from actively performing, while she was raising her son Andre, now thirteen years of age.  Deirdre is married to Neville D'Cunha, and along with their son Andre live in Daly City, California. 

Ms. Lobo-D’Cunha conducts voice workshops in India, and in the USA.  She is currently Choral Director, and Principal Cantor at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church. Ms. Lobo-D’Cunha teaches and coaches students in voice, piano, music theory, sight reading, drama, and speech. Deirdre has taught voice and piano in the Philippines, India, and the United States. Ms. Lobo-D’Cunha is a member of the Music Teachers Association of California.

As GRAND PRIZE WINNER in the FanFaire Foundation Messiah Soloist Competition in San Diego, California, Deirdre recently appeared as soloist for their Messiah Sing-a-long Concerts on December 2 & 4, 2011, with the Greater San Diego Community Orchestra – Dr. Angela Yeung, Conductor.