By Keolanani Kinghorn
In Layton, at On Pitch Performing Arts, 29-year-old artist Quesley Ann Bunch will be making her debut as a solo artist in Quesley in Concert! on October 13, 2022. This sold-out performance will feature her singing her way through her musical journey from songs that influenced her childhood to the songs that she loves most now. For this theater, voice, and dance teacher, music is more than a hobby or job; singing was what she was put on this earth to do, but the fear of not living up to her potential in such a competitive field often weighs on he and she will be facing her fears
When I asked Bunch how that made her feel, she said she “did not expect it to sell out so quickly” with a a full three weeks before the concert. Bunch is a voice and dance teacher at OPPA with a stunning voice, and pipes that anyone would be envious of. She has been performing in musicals around Utah for the last few years including lead roles like the title character in Aida by Elton John and Tim Rice, Deena Jones in Tom Eyen and Henry Krieger’s Dreamgirls, Joanne in Jonathan Larson’s RENT and the Princess Who Kissed the Frog in Disenchanted by Dennis T. Giacino. So, when I asked her why she has waited so long to do a solo concert, I did not expect to hear, “Fear. Am I ready? Am I good enough?”
This has been a long time coming for the native of Indiana. Bunch has been dreaming of a career in music for as long as she can remember and it all started it with an audition for Thomas Meehan and Martin Charnin‘s Annie when she was eleven or twelve years old; that was the point when Bunch knew she wanted to do this—music as a career. In her debut concert, Bunch decided to start out her journey not with Annie, but with a song from Motown Productions’ 1978 The Wiz, Diana Ross’ “Home.” This movie was very influential to Bunch growing up because a relative on her father’s side played the Lion (Ted Ross). This really was Bunch’s first introduction to a musical and the reason Bunch loves music and musicals as much as she does.
Bunch moved to Utah in 2018 and was first introduced to OPPA and the Executive Producer, Brandon Stauffer, at the auditions of Aida—her dream role. Bunch recalled walking into the theater, not knowing anyone or anything about OPPA, but was greeted by Stauffer and current Board president Dan Tate, who upon seeing Bunch could not hide how “excited” they were “that this Black woman came to their theater” to audition. Bunch giggled, recalling, “I was just really nervous, and I just remember thinking, ‘This is going to be weird.’ But I got cast as Aida [the lead] … and I am still here. I met so many people in that first show. One of them I will be performing in the concert with—Cariel Goodwin. I thought, ‘This is nice. This is fun! I guess I kind of found my clan, here in Utah.’” After Aida, OPPA hired Bunch on as a part-time vocal coach; she now works at OPPA as their Children’s Theatre Administrator and she still gives voice lessons.
Bunch will be singing “Wheels of a Dream” from Ragtime (By Lynn Ahrens and Terrence McNally) with both Goodwin and Stauffer. When talking about Stauffer, Bunch said, “Brandon … is huge part of my life, even if he doesn’t think he is. This concert… It’s all because of Brandon.” Bunch said it can be hard being a Black woman in theater, especially in Utah, but also commented that Stauffer has “created and maintained a space” to help her thrive.
Philip Childs is the musical director for Bunch’s concert and long-time friend from Indiana. Bunch and Child go way back and have been making music together since they were teens; they are pretty much family at this point. Bunch said, “Anytime I need musical advice, I go to him. Philip will forever be my accompanist.” One of the songs they will be singing together David Baerwald and Kevin Gilbert’s “Come What May” from Moulin Rouge. Childs and Bunch were recently in the musical RENT together, playing the roles of Collins and Joanne. Bunch said when they did the show together last year, it was an emotional, full-circle kind of moment for her because they sang those same roles many times growing up together in Indiana. Childs will also be accompanying Bunch on India Arie’s “I am Light,” originally performed by Chaka Khan, and “Questions” by Tori Kelly.
While Bunch doesn’t have a formal degree in theater or dance, she has collected a plethora of dance and musical training from multiple avenues, some of which include training for the talent portions of Ms. Black USA and Ms. America and studying dance in college at the American Music and Dramatic Academy. Bunch has never second-guessed the choice of pursuing music; even though there have been bumps along the way and it has looked different than she thought it would at a young age, she wouldn’t trade it for anything.
In 2020, Bunch found out she would need a tonsillectomy and was faced with the frightening possibility of losing her future career as a vocalist. So, with the help of her parents, she found a surgeon who specializes in operating on vocalists and had the procedure done. After surgery, Bunch went to a vocologist to recover and to slowly heal her vocal cords and throat. She is grateful that the procedure was successful and did not affect or alter her ability to sing and Bunch’s vocals are better than ever.
Bunch will also be performing Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey’s version of “When You Believe” from Prince of Egypt with her mom, Sebrina Myers. Bunch said this will their first time performing together since Bunch was in high school. Bunch said they used to sing this song together when she was growing up, but not this version and not like this! It is going to be epic. Another featured performer at the concert is Macy McCormack, one of Bunch’s long-time voice students—also the 2022 Miss. Roy. Bunch’s line up of amazing song’s will also include “Easy as Life” from Aida, “No One” by Alicia Keys, and “Crazy” by Seal.
If, like me, you are kicking yourself that you did not get tickets to this sold-out concert, do not fret. Bunch has said that she plans on doing more solo concerts soon, so you will have more opportunities to hear her spectacular voice and there may be an upcoming concert featuring Bunch’s original music. You can find Bunch on Instagram and Twitter @QuesleyAnnBunch and you can book voice lessons with her at http://www.onpitchperformingarts.com/voice-lessons.html
On Pitch Performing Arts Presents Quesley in Concert!
On Pitch Performing Arts, 587 N. Main St., Layton, UT 84041
October 13, 2022, 7:00 PM
Tickets: $18
Contact: 385-209-1557
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