Artistic Director

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 (Manila - PHILIPPINES); Master Degree University of Colorado (Boulder, Colorado -USA); and Post-Graduate Diploma Peabody Conservatory of Music of the Johns' Hopkins Universiy (Baltimore, Maryland - USA).

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.

Ms. Lobo-D’Cunha, 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), and most recently, David Ramadanoff (Master Sinfonia Chamber 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 performed with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the Bombay Chamber Orchestra, the Manila Chamber Orchestra, the Philippine Youth Orchestra, and the San Francisco Concerto Orchestra. Most recently, Deirdre along with pianist, Charles Worth did an India Concert Tour, in Delhi, Mumbai, and Pune.

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), and Mass in C Major (Beethoven), 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.

Ms. Lobo-D’Cunha has a very busy music studio, where she teaches and coaches students in voice, piano (beginning / Intermediate level), music theory, sight reading, drama, and speech. Deirdre has 25 years of teaching experience, and has taught in the Philippines, India, and the United States. All styles of singing are taught in her studio, including Pop, Rock, Broadway, Jazz, Classical, Country Western, and World Music. Other skills taught include, Musical Interpretation, Cantoring technique, Stage Movement and Deportment. Ms. Lobo-D’Cunha teaches students of all ages and at all levels, and is a member of the Music Teachers Association of California.

Deirdre founded and created Ensemble Vocalis (EV) to enable give all artists the opportunity to perform quality repertoire whether it be opera, broadway, lieder, or oratorio on the concert stage. EV has done numerous concerts not only in the San Francisco Bay Area, but also in citis like Las Vegas. Artists are chosen based on auditions, held by the artistic director.

Ms. Lobo-D’Cunha has conducted vocal workshops in India, and in the USA.

Ms. Lobo-D'Cunha has served as drama director for Our Lady of Mercy School, Daly City, California (2005-2010). She is currently Choral Director, and Principal Cantor at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, San Mateo, California.