Oberlin Portrait: Elizabeth Dehn

If an award could be given for musical multi-tasking, Elizabeth "Ellie" Dehn should be the winner. Dehn, who performed Zerbinetta’s Aria from Richard Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos with the Oberlin Chamber Orchestra on February 22, gave her performance of one of opera’s most florid coloratura showpieces in the midst of a month to end all months.

Dehn’s schedule has been the musical version of an Olympic heptathlon. Friday’s performance with the orchestra was sandwiched between her senior recital a week before, her graduate-school auditions for Curtis and Juilliard in early March, and Oberlin Opera Theater’s production of Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress, in which she sings the role of Anne Truelove, on March 15.

Fortunately, life was not always this hectic for Dehn. She began playing the piano when she was three in her hometown of Anoka, Minnesota. Her grandfather, a flutist, performed for many years with the Minnesota Orchestra, and both her parents are amateur musicians. Like many singers, she came to the idea of an operatic career relatively late by musicians’ standards.

"I played the flute and was always in plays and choirs. I had small parts in high school musicals, but never the leads," she says.

Dehn’s parents decided to give her voice lessons and soon after, she won her first competition. Her voice teacher recommended that she audition for the Oberlin Summer Vocal Academy for High School Students, where she met Daune Mahy, her current teacher.

"I think it was at Vocal Academy that I first thought that singing might work as a career for me," Dehn says. "You have this small sound when you’re 16, and you listen to opera singers, and it’s not easy to think you might be able to become that."

Dehn’s reserve shows itself elsewhere in her life. Despite the awards she has received, including winner of the Akron Symphony Competition, she did not even think to audition for the Oberlin concerto competition at first.

"Ms. Mahy and I had started the Zerbinetta aria as a ‘stretch’ piece to challenge me. I never thought I’d be able to sing those runs, but my friend heard it and suggested that I use it as my concerto audition. I did not even know you could audition with arias," she says.

When asked how she feels about her near-complete Oberlin experience, Dehn smiles. "I’ve loved it here. I never could have received this education anywhere else."

A Conservatory Portrait Conversation with Elizabeth Dehn:

What inspired you to become a musician? What keeps you inspired on discouraging days?
I can’t remember a time when I did not play music, so I guess the music itself inspired me. On discouraging days, I am inspired by the good moments. I still cry during those movies where the performing character gets a standing ovation at the end. I have an appreciation for what music can do for people, and I think I can be a part of that.

What is the most memorable performance you have ever seen and why?
I think it’s too soon to tell.

If you could perform with any musician, living or dead, who would it be?
Maria Callas. I think I would love to perform with her because she just sold everything she did. You believed her. And she could sing anything. I would like to perform in the chorus with her as the lead.

If you could master another instrument, what would it be?
The piano.I can play most things, but I would love to be able to master it.

If you could not be a musician, what other profession would you choose?
Before I was serious about singing, I thought I would be in advertising because I like creating and making decisions with other people. Now I think about arts management, because I have learned a lot about the business and think that I could contribute.

What do you listen to for inspiration?
When I have time, I listen to Angela Gheorghiu. She’s amazing. Right now, I listen to the recordings of operas and pieces I am learning.

What do you like to read?
Again, I have no time. But when I have time, I like light fiction. I enjoyed A Prayer for Owen Meany.

What are the three words that best describe you?
Oh my God…wait, that was three words!