Soprano. Flute.
Abha Dearing is a spinto soprano with master's-level training and three Detroit Music Awards for Outstanding Classical Vocalist. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education at Wayne State University on the Liberace scholarship in 1997, and her Master of Music in Vocal Performance at Oakland University in 2006, studying voice with Janice Albright. Her flute training came from members of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra: Clem Barone, Jeff Zook, and Ervin Monroe. Her early-life Indian classical training was rigorous: study at the Ali Akbar College of Music and lessons with Laxmi Shankar.
She sang the title role in Michigan Opera Theater's 2015 production of Frida — six sold-out shows — and serves as Vocal Music Director at The Roeper School, where she has led vocal music across the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools, having previously directed vocal music at Mercy High School for ten years. Since 2001 she has served as Co-Director of Music Ministry at Birmingham Unitarian Church.
With Steven Dearing she has performed at the Cheltenham International Music Festival, an Organization of American States event hosted by The Hon. Lloyd Axworthy, and across metro Detroit's foundation, gala, and concert-series circuit. The duo's six Detroit Music Awards include three for her solo vocal work — in 2001, 2002 (as co-recipient with Dana Lentini), and 2006.
A representative slice
- 2015 — Title role, Frida, Michigan Opera Theater (six sold-out shows)
- 2002 — Cheltenham International Music Festival, European debut with the duo
- Pre-2002 — Organization of American States event hosted by The Hon. Lloyd Axworthy
- 2001–present — Co-Director of Music Ministry, Birmingham Unitarian Church
Three Detroit Music Awards
- 2001 — Outstanding Classical Vocalist
- 2002 — Outstanding Classical Vocalist (co-recipient with Dana Lentini, per Metro Times)
- 2006 — Outstanding Classical Vocalist
Plus the duo's three additional Detroit Music Awards (2002 Outstanding Classical Small Ensemble, 2002 Outstanding Classical Recording for Snapshots of South America, and 2003 Outstanding Classical Small Ensemble) which Abha co-holds with Steven.
A quarter-century educator
- Current — Vocal Music Director, The Roeper School (Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools)
- Former — Mercy High School Vocal Music Director (10 years)
- Since 2001 — Co-Director of Music Ministry, Birmingham Unitarian Church