Faces of AWNY: Meet Carmel Dean

Originally hailing from Perth, Carmel Dean is a freelance theatre musician who spends her time composing, arranging, orchestrating, and music supervising (and sometimes a combination of all of the above – in addition to running her freelance travel advisory). We chat with Carmel about musical theatre, the highs and lows of freelancing, and the resilience of New York City.

What did you do in Aus/NZ?

I left Perth upon graduating from Edith Cowan/WAAPA, spent a year working in Sydney (on the 2000 Olympics!), and then moved to the US on a Fulbright Scholarship in 2001. I spent one semester at Arizona State University, then moved to NYC to do a Masters at NYU.

Why NYC?

As a young twenty-something, I had my sights set on one career path: musical theatre! New York is the birthplace of the art form, and so it made sense to study here and be as close to the center of the global industry as possible.

What do you do for work in NYC?

I am a freelance theatre musician. I do various things in the musical theatre industry; for the first ten years of my career, I was mostly a Musical Director and Conductor (conducting several Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regional shows). Now, I spend more of my time on the creative side of projects – either composing, arranging, orchestrating, music supervising (or a combo of all the above!). I am about to open The Notebook on Broadway, which is my first as a Supervisor and Co-Orchestrator.

I also have a side business as a Travel Advisor. I combined my two passions, theatre and travel, to create a business called Places, Please – Travel for Theatre Lovers, curating one-of-a-kind theatrical experiences (plus ‘regular’ holidays, too).

What were your first impressions of NYC and how has that changed since you have lived here?

I moved to NYC a few weeks before 9/11, so it was a very unusual introduction to life in NYC. I’ve now seen the city go through so much change, and what I love is its resilience and its constant adaptation. I don’t love that so many small businesses have disappeared and that there are a lot more global brands and corporations on every corner. I miss things like sheet music stores Colony Records in Times Square and Tower Music. I even miss the big Barnes and Noble at Lincoln Center.

What neighborhood do you live in? Why did you choose it?

I LOVE the Upper West Side. It feels like a real ‘neighborhood’ with a great mixture of people and businesses (and not too many tourists). It’s close to Central Park, the Hudson – and you can still be in Times Square in 15 minutes.

What do you like about living in NYC?

I absolutely love – and thrive on – the energy of the city and the people. It honestly is the city that never sleeps. It is a great city to find inspiration and to people watch in…and of course, the plethora of cultural (and other) events is thrilling.

What’s your biggest achievement since living in NYC?

I am very proud of the career I’ve forged. It’s hard freelancing, and it doesn’t get easier as you get older. Surviving the instability and ups and downs of the business has provided me with resilience. I am also proud to say that since starting my travel business, I am an entrepreneur.

What’s the biggest challenge or roadblock you’ve been faced with since being in NYC and how do/did you overcome it?

Having downtime (i.e. being unemployed) is rough. In this business, you are always relying on other people (producers mostly) to decide when, where, and how you work. It is hard not to have that autonomy, especially as you get older. My small travel company – combining my love of theatre and travel – means I’ve been able to have a little control over my life and income. Though of course, my theatre career is still paramount…it’s just nice to have both things happening simultaneously.

What are some ‘only in New York’ moment/s you’ve had?

Seeing a wacky, unique cast of characters on a daily basis brings me great joy. I have a saying, “Halloween costume or New Yorker?” This is a city where you can express yourself so freely, and I LOVE it.

What do you miss most about Aus/NZ?

I miss my family, the climate, the laid-back attitude, the humor, the coffee, the beaches…and the work-life balance.

What do you do to quell the homesickness while in New York?

I visit my favorite Aussie cafe, Gertrude as often as possible for a flat white and a Vegemite scone (highly recommended). I FaceTime with my family on a very regular basis, and I make sure I get home at least once a year. I also try to prioritize keeping work contacts in Australia, and have worked there several times since living in NYC. I love to feel like I have a foot in both the Australian theatre industry and the NYC industry, because they are both so different and so rewarding to work within.

What do you do in your ‘spare time’ in NYC?

Restaurants, movies, museums, bookstores, live music.