About

Have you always felt there was something missing in your life and career? I always thought that I was put on this earth to be a singer & then a teacher. However, I have realized it was something much more! I come from a performing arts background with my mother the late Celia Lobo, being India’s only Opera Diva, a voice teacher and director. I could sing before I could speak, says my late mother. Therefore, it was understood that I would be a singer. Those were big shoes to fill, resulting in me shying away from performing at parties, etc. till the age of 15. My late mother could perform at the drop off a hat.

Phase 1 in my musical journey was at Christmas of 1979, at a talent show in the suburb I lived in. As a shy child, my late mother asked if I wanted to participate, and I said yes. I ended up walking away with the Rolling Trophy. Winning the trophy changed my level of confidence. I finally developed the courage to perform publicly, and began competing a lot, winning most competitions in Bombay. My late mother was my first teacher, after which I studied with several teachers in India, Philippines & the USA.

Phase 2 in my musical journey was in 1984. I got accepted at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) for my Bachelor of Music Degree. Even though I came from a musical background, I had no training in the core areas of music like music theory, counterpoint, etc. I was really lost in those classes. This was not just a cultural, but musical shock. Once again this was a blow to my confidence! The only option was to work hard, get the help, and do well, as I knew there was no training like this in India, and there was no turning back. Luckily I had the support of my teacher, Katherine Sternberg, and the Dean of the Conservatory, Dr. Atabug who arranged for a tutor to help me! I worked very hard, leading to great results, thus boosting my confidence! Years later, this experience led me to starting my own academy where I offered the core subjects so students would be trained in these areas, and never go through what I had to. Many years later, now in the United States, and having pursued multiple music degrees, by this point in my career and life, as a singer, teacher, full-time working mom, and wife, I was able to apply what I learnt leading me to this point in my life’s journey today. 2005 was the turning point in my musical journey. I got laid off from my full-time day job leaving me disappointed, and unsure. Working a full-time job and doing music part-time always made me feel incomplete. Even though I was disappointed at being laid off, I saw it as a sign to pursue music full-time, completing me! Motivated and driven, I started my full-time in-person & online studio, teaching voice, beginner, and intermediate level piano, and taught drama at a school, directing musicals. I continued my performing career, and church gigs.

Phase 3 of my musical journey totally shaped the way I teach today. In 2019, I was directing “Annie” at a school, and a student who was quite introverted, had been in the drama program every semester, improving every year, and now playing a lead role. She was having difficulty getting into character. On the day of the performance, I worked with this student for an hour prior to curtain. The performance started, and she became the character. The result was transformational for her, and me. She taught me that with compassion, determination, hard work, resilience, humility, and passion extraordinary results are possible! The many experiences in my life, concert, and teaching career, especially the experience above have empowered me to make extraordinary changes in the lives of others, helping them believe in themselves, and achieve the unthinkable! I know there are many out there who would like to unleash their inner voice, be confident, and be extraordinary!

Of Indian origin, based in Colorado, USA, acclaimed International Concert Artist, Vocal Coach & Consultant, Deirdre Lobo comes from an extremely artistic family with her mother the late Celia Lobo being India’s only Opera Diva, and her brother International Dance Choreographer, Ashley Lobo. Deirdre began her musical training under her mother, Celia Lobo, well known opera singer, theater director, and voice teacher in India – teacher and director to many artists and personalities including Sunidhi Chauhan, Sachin, Tendulkar, Shiamak Davar, Dalip Tahil, Sunita Rao, Shweta Shetty, etc. Deirdre is winner of the GRAND PRIZE in the Messiah Soloist Competition, San Diego, California (Dec 4, 2011), and SECOND PRIZE in the Barry Alexander International Vocal Competition, New York (Dec 19, 2011).

A versatile artist, Deirdre has internationally performed close to 100+ concerts worldwide, performing repertoire ranging from Western Classical, Pop, Broadway, World Music, and Fusion. In 1988, Deirdre was featured as a soloist for the Messiah (Handel) with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, under Dr. Francisco Feliciano where she was the only non Filipino singing alongside a full Filipino cast. Ms. Lobo has been soloist with numerous orchestras and choruses, including the Manila Chamber Orchestra, Bombay Chamber Orchestra, Symphony of India Chamber Orchestra, Paranjoti Chorus, Stop Gaps Chorus, Cantata Choir, Viva la Musica, San Antonio Chorus, just to name a few.

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. Deirdre made her operatic debut playing the role of The Fist Lady in the Magic Flute. Other roles include: The Mother in Hansel and Gretel, and the snake in The Little Prince. Deirdre has also covered the role of Amelia in Un Ballo in Maschera.

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 recitals with the Rossmoor Concert Series, Noontime Concerts, Santa Rosa Concert Series, and the Community Music Center Concert Series.

In 2009, Deirdre did a solo concert tour in India with concerts in Delhi, Mumbai and Pune. In Feb 2013, she was invited to do a solo recital at the Monte Music Festival, Goa, INDIA. In May 2014, Ms. Lobo-D’Cunha sang a solo recital program of mostly Pop, Broadway, Classical, and Crossover repertoire, to a packed audience and standing ovations. Deirdre attended the APAP conference 2018 in New York and performed a Showcase Recital for agents and presenters. On April 26, 2018, Deirdre did a solo concert with the Symphony of India Chamber Orchestra at the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Mumbai, INDIA under the baton of Maria Badstue. In 2019 Deirdre performed in, and presented a Tribute Concert to her mother Celia Lobo at the Royal Opera House, Mumbai, India showcasing students of her mother, and those of her own.

As a Vocal Coach and Consultant, she has taught over 65+ workshops and masterclasses. She has worked with Tara Sutaria, Pia Sutaria, Meher Mistry, Shiamak Davar, Dhawal Chandawadkar, Aditi Paul, Abhilasha Chellam, and more recently young artist, Reina Kapur of the Dhirubhai Ambani International School among others. In 2014, Deirdre was hired as Vocal Director for JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR in India, where she worked with the late Alyque Padamsee.

Deirdre has been teaching voice since 1988 and teaches students vocal technique enabling them to sing the following genres of vocal music with ease and efficiency: Pop, Jazz, Rap, Broadway, Western Classical, Indian Classical – Hindustani / Carnatic. This kind of technique transcends even speech and drama students. Deirdre works with students of all levels of vocal and musical development – from beginners to advanced levels, and even specializes in teaching students with special needs. Some of her star students have performed in the United States, on Broadway – Hannah Bautista played Ngana in SOUTH PACIFIC, Cosette in LES MISERABLES, to name a few. In India, Tara Sutaria was host for Disney India, played lead roles in musicals such as GREASE, and is now an actress in Bollywood. Meher Mistry played lead roles in plays, and musicals, among her biggest roles was Belle in India’s Disney production of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.

Deirdre has been teaching ONLINE via her International Vocal Studio since 2010, and recently designed her one of a kind online 6 month vocal program: Deirdre Complete Vocal Transformation (DCVT).

Another big part of Deirdre’s teaching career is doing voice workshops and masterclasses worldwide online and offline for high school, college, and university choirs, dancers, voice teachers, actors, and singers.

Deirdre is Founder, and Artistic Director of the Celia Lobo Academy of Voice (CLAV) www.clavusa.com training the up and coming Pop, Broadway, Indian and Western Classical vocalists of tomorrow. She is also the Founder and Artistic Director of One Voice Institute of Music and Art (OVIMA Global) www.ovimaglobal.com, a complete performing arts institute serving students globally, offering online, and in-person Non-Certification, and Certification courses in all areas of the performing arts.

As Drama Director, Deirdre has directed over 17+ musicals, and stage productions where she worked with students ages 7–16 years. Lastly from 1997, Deirdre has been principal Cantor and Choral Director for many churches in the United States, and continues to do that. She has been a soloist for weddings and funerals. Additionally, Deirdre has conducted church choirs for more than 25+ years of her career.

Julie Simson | Voltaire Verzosa | Marilyn Zschau | Phyllis Bryn-Julson | Dr. Robert Harrison

Katherine Sternberg (late) | Jean Kingdom-Vollenweider | Celia Lobo (late)

Richard Harrell | Kathryn Cathcart | Mark Markham | Joann Kulesza | Martin Isepp | Joanne Grillo

Dr. Angela Yeung | Dr. Joseph Esmilla | Dr. Francisco Feliciano | Amelita Guevarra | Shulamit Hoffmann

Roger Brunyate | Carol Palca | Dennis Jackson