Today we’d like to introduce you to William Derusha.
Hi William, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started in music the way many people do — through church and school — but it quickly became something deeper than an extracurricular activity. I was drawn to the physical sensation of singing, the architecture of language, and the way certain harmonies felt like they rearranged something internally.
Over time, that curiosity turned into formal study in classical voice and a growing love for early music and Baroque repertoire. I’ve built my career here in Dallas as a baritone, performing solo concert work, sacred music, and opera while also teaching private students.
In recent years, my path has become more focused. I’m developing a performance initiative called Consolare, centered on music as consolation and restoration — particularly in intimate spaces like retirement communities and chamber settings. At the same time, I’m preparing a Baroque solo reel and expanding my concert work regionally.
Dallas has been home for this entire evolution — from student to church soloist to independent artist building something that feels honest and personal.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been smooth, but it’s been meaningful.
Like many artists, I’ve navigated financial uncertainty, teaching roles that didn’t fully align with my values, and the emotional weight that comes with tying your identity to your voice. Singing is physical — when you’re tired, stressed, or grieving, it shows.
Over the last several years, I’ve experienced significant personal loss in my family. That period forced me to reconsider why I make music at all. It stopped being about achievement and became about presence.
Professionally, I’ve also learned that not every opportunity is the right opportunity. One of the hardest but most important shifts for me has been moving from being “available for everything” to being intentional about the kind of work I want to build — primarily solo concert and early music performance.
The road hasn’t been linear. But the clarity that comes from friction has been invaluable.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a lyric baritone specializing in classical and early music repertoire — particularly Baroque and sacred concert works.
My performance work includes:
• Solo oratorio and cantata repertoire (Bach, Handel, Purcell)
• Sacred and concert solo engagements
• Opera and chamber performance
• Historically informed Baroque interpretation
What sets me apart is my focus on intimacy and text clarity. I care deeply about how language lands in a room. I’m not interested in volume for its own sake — I’m interested in resonance, storytelling, and acoustic bloom.
I’m also proud of the way I approach teaching. I work primarily with teens and adults who want strong technical foundations and musical literacy, not shortcuts. My studio emphasizes sustainable vocal technique, diction, and artistic independence. In addition to my private studio, I also teach at HanOpera Music Academy in Plano, where I work with young singers developing foundational technique and performance skills.
And I’m proud of building Consolare — a project that brings early music into spaces that don’t often receive it. There’s something powerful about hearing a Bach aria in a retirement hall instead of a concert hall.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
That usefulness is not the same thing as alignment.
For a long time, I said yes to things because I could do them well. But competence doesn’t always equal calling.
The most important lesson has been learning to choose work that reflects who I am becoming — not just what I’m capable of doing.
Also: longevity matters. In singing, pushing for short-term impact can cost you years. Building slowly, with technical discipline and emotional honesty, is far more sustainable.
Pricing:
- $100/hour (adults & teens)
- $80/45 minutes
- Small group coaching available upon request
- Concert / Solo Engagements: • Custom quoted depending on repertoire and ensemble size • Baroque chamber programs available through Consolare
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Suad Bejtović – performance photos
Donnelly Bosque – headshots
