PFW's collaborative pianist: Dorion's 20-year legacy of empowering student musicians

On June 29, many of Susan Dorion’s former students celebrated her birthday by peppering her phone with pings like the consistent sound of a typist. From across the country, students offered their best wishes.

“I really did enjoy that day,” Dorion said with a bold smile.

Better than any gift, their remembrances showed how they could not forget who provided part of the foundation in their chosen work. She helped them chip away to find what was underneath and build their futures.

For more than 20 years, the Purdue University Fort Wayne limited-term lecturer has worked behind the scenes in the School of Music. As a collaborative pianist, Dorion has worked with many local and instrumental students. Without Dorion’s help, they would likely have struggled to practice as intensely or consistently to find their capabilities. Professors certainly don’t have the time necessary to provide such a service to the students.

“There is no one that I think is more deserving in the music building than Susan Dorion,” said Q Davis, B.M. ’23, B.M. ’23, who is attending graduate school at Notre Dame. “She sees everything that happens all the time. She’s always extending a helping hand to whoever is asking or out of her own good will. You could probably ask anyone in the Music Building a question about Susan Dorion, and they will give you a pleasant story about her.”  

Throughout their PFW time, Dorion often works with freshmen through their graduation. She’s usually helping them prepare for their first public performance, weekly convocations, competitions, and end-of-semester jury presentations. She plays approximately 45 juries each semester.

She’s there at the beginning when they are trying to find the courage to prove this was the correct choice for their future, and at the end when many are auditioning for graduate schools. Up close, Dorion sees them blossom from hopefuls into confident performers.

“It often becomes a relationship where the pianist is helping them with various things, depending on how much their regular voice teacher might want the help,” said Hamilton Tescarollo, director of keyboard studies. “She is quite a resource in that sense because she can support the singer in so many ways.”

Dorion has thousands of examples of how she’s been able to read the emotions of new performers making their first big appearance. Nerves are being battled, and sometimes she can guide them to a successful first time. Other times, she needs to sit them for a convincing pep talk.

“You need somebody who is very adaptable, but then can also coach them as well," said Jeremy Grall, director of the School of Music “That may be in terms of simply confidence or encouragement, or something much more complex, all of which can make a huge difference."

Another benefit is that Dorion also usually attends weekly lessons between students and professors, allowing the professor to concentrate on the technical instruction for the student. Then during rehearsals she helps with applying the skills that are learned during the lessons. Dorion said it’s fun to watch as students gain confidence and competence, building their musicality.

Dorion has taught between two and four classes each semester for the last 10 years. That means PFW students must fit into her ever-expanding schedule, though she spends at least twice as much time accompanying students as she does teaching classes. Dorion loves the variety of music she’s presented and the students she helps.

Outside of PFW, Dorian has a private piano studio at her home. She plays for the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir, and occasionally for the Fort Wayne Philharmonic.

“After doing this for so many years, I think part of it is just understanding people and what each one needs,” Dorion said. “When they have a good performance, their faces just light up!  It is a pleasure to watch them grow.”