Curiosity in emotional literacy lies at the heart of baritone and performance artist Dicky Dutton’s work. Their collaborations with organizations like the New York Festival of Song (NYFOS), Aural Compass Projects, Opera Philadelphia, Nashirah, Cincinnati Opera, Wear Yellow proudly, and others have helped to highlight the importance of working toward equity and creative joy in themself and surrounding communities. 

In an effort to repurpose religious influence, Dicky premiered her second live ritual in late 2023, Amalgamate, for voice and recorded electronics commissioned by NYFOS. Her first live ritual being UMBRA(EXPECTIT) for voice and recorded electronics and pottery, a piece commissioned by the Why Collective’s performance art festival “Mixt.” In 2022,  they collaborated with the ENA Ensemble as lyricist for “Mercury Admits:” a set of songs for soprano and cello commissioned for the Serial Opera & New Songs Series. Dicky has also performed settings of their poetry alongside partner, composer, and collaborator, Michael Lewis, in recitals throughout New York, Philadelphia, and Arizona.

Outside of conceptualizing and performing new works, Dicky remains active as a vocalist in the 4th Wall Ensemble, as soloist and section leader with Philadelphia’s premiere Jewish choir, Nashirah, and as music-director/cantor for the St. Mark’s Episcopal Church of Frankford, PA. Most mornings they can be found seated by their three bunnies (Cooper, Oliver, and Lulu) searching for juicy words before a day of teaching and singing in the greater Philadelphia area. 

FEATURED IN