Minnesota Varsity: Where are They Now? - Dan Piering

Where Are They Now? spotlights Minnesota Varsity Featured and Showcase Artists from 2011 to 2016.

Singer Dan Piering from Plymouth, Minn. was a 2012 Minnesota Varsity Featured Artist. He recently got in touch with Classical MPR's Christine Sweet to share his latest news.

Dan Piering, voice, 2012 Featured Artist

Age: 22

Hometown: Plymouth, Minn.

I actually, for the first time, will not be returning to school this fall, because I finished my last year this past May! I recently graduated from the University of Minnesota/Guthrie BFA Actor Training Program with a BFA in Acting. I also earned a BA in Journalism while I was there.

Since Minnesota Varsity, I've been busy at school studying acting at the University of Minnesota. I stayed super-involved in school, being a member of several student groups (including an a cappella group!) and getting a second degree. In the summer, though, I stayed employed and worked with several theaters in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area — including the Old Log Theater, the Minnesota Centennial Showboat, The Public Theater of Minnesota, and Mixed Precipitation

This past summer I was a member of the cast of the Guthrie Theater's production of South Pacific. It was a fantastic experience to have right after graduating college, and working there (as well as the other theaters I worked at during my time in school) reinforced my strong belief that the Twin Cities arts community is strong, progressive, and unique.

My career goals? Well, I want to act. It's what I originally went to school for, and has always been what I want to do. Whether it's on stage or screen doesn't really matter to me. I'm not picky, I just want to work. I also still really want music to be a part of my life and what I do. I sing whenever I get the chance, and play the cello, piano, guitar, and ukulele. I did also get a degree in journalism and communications too, though, and the skills and experiences I had fostering that passion are valuable too. If I can work in that field as well, I'd be pretty happy.

Choosing my favorite part of Minnesota Varsity is tricky. While hearing myself on the radio was pretty cool, I think my favorite memory is actually performing in the Minnesota Varsity 2012 tour. If only because, while singing at Concordia College (Moorhead, MN) Christiansen Recital Hall, I got to meet and listen to some of the other Featured Artists perform live. Their talent was super-inspiring, and it was really special to spend the morning with them, seeing them do what they love to do.