Dominique Royem: Becoming Maestro
I chose to become a conductor because I love symphonic music, and I love being the vessel that transmutes the dots on a page of music into art. I love helping others create art and become the best artists they can be. I find that an orchestra is greater than the sum of its musicians when I am on the podium, and I hope to take that feeling everywhere I go. I also love to create communities around artmaking, and helping those communities become part of the art making is one of my personal goals for any concert. I want everyone to feel a part of the music as it is flowing over them, deepening their experience in the moment, and extending that experience after the concert.
The rarity of female conductors is unmatched vs. any other profession. The major podiums lead by women around the world is less than 1%. A lot of this has to do with the perceptions as women as leaders – we have to fight female stereotypes along with being the best leader we can be! It is hard to be commanding when some people see you as domineering! Most women don’t get far in the professional conducting world because conducting is all about how you look on the podium – and some members of the public, including board members of orchestras, just don’t “see” a leader when they look at a female conductor. It is so important to have female representation on the podium because you need to look like your public – and there are women in the audience! Each conductor brings something new and different to the music, and that artistry should be heard.
I began as a conductor in Undergraduate, when the professor of Choral Music said I could conduct the orchestra and chorus for a school concert as a thank you for my departmental service. After that concert I was approached by an older gentleman who introduced himself as a professional conductor. His name was Dr. Robert Linder. He told me that I “had something you couldn’t teach,” and that I should become a conductor! After some soul searching, I started conducting lessons with him. Many years later I am a professional conductor with my DMA in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Houston. Many fortuitous events had to happen to get me where I am today, and I am thankful for them each and every day!
Photo Source: dominiqueroyem.com