Interview with Musician Dorothy Wagner

Dorothy Wagner was born to be a musician.  She is a performer, part of both Aerial Acoustics and the Wagner Project. She has completed several albums including a recent Christmas one with renditions of Christmas classics. She has even played at the White House during Christmas time. “I was so incredibly excited to be there and the rarity of it and high security made it feel even more surreal. Bomb-sniffing dogs descending on my guitar case is a vision I will never forget,”

“I was eight when I asked Poppy” (her father) “for a guitar, which he then got me for Christmas. I still remember being so excited seeing the funny shaped cardboard box under the Christmas tree. Playing guitar was such a great escape and I could take it with me wherever I went. No matter what was going on around me, I was able to play some sweet sounds” Therein lies the problem with piano (which she also plays): you can’t exactly lug it around.

            Dorothy says the biggest challenge of her life was not being raised in a nuclear family. “Growing up, life sometimes felt unstable and unpredictable although as I’ve gotten older, I've realized how many children experience far worse. The best thing was having very loving people and relationships in my life. And realizing at a young age that music and artistic pursuits can be great therapy for getting through life’s challenges”

            Dorothy is also a music teacher, which she loves doing. She is so proud of her students, all ages and abilities. I feel blessed to be teaching what I love. I have a definite understanding and affinity for those students who love music for the same reasons I did growing up. It can be challenging when a student has a learning disorder. I do love the challenge though and I find it so interesting to teach people of all different levels and capabilities. It’s like unlocking a different puzzle each time you teach someone, and can be really fascinating."

As I mentioned before, Dorothy is in two bands. She is in a guitar duo known as Aerial Acoustics. They cover songs from Christmas carols to “Carry On My Wayward Son” to “Breakaway”. She is also in a band with her family called the Wagner Project with her husband on guitar, her son, Andrew, on bass, and her other son, Steven, lead singer. The difference, she says, is that she and her duet partner often receive specific requests for weddings and special occasions. "In the Wagner Project, anyone can pitch a song. Anytime you’re doing arrangements of music, the challenge, but also the fun part, is deciding who does what part, and also how that part will be interpreted. And of course, there’s quite a difference arranging music for two guitars or a group of four. "

               Her performance at the White House is one of the highlights of her career. “It was thrilling! It was quite an honor and surreal, too. There was so much to prepare for in doing such a thing, including learning the music, filling out paperwork, passing background checks, getting through tremendous security, etc. But what an unforgettable experience. The White House itself is stunning, especially so at Christmastime. It also gave us the impetus to do a Christmas album, which was also quite fun, and that in turn led to some wonderful gigs, including Bethel Woods and wonderful lunchtime concerts at historic skyscrapers in the city”

               She also likes to give back. She and her partner play at Bronx Calvary Hospital where they perform two hour concerts and chat with the patients. She also plays bedside at Bronx Calvary Hospice. “Sometimes patients like to talk while other times, they prefer to simply listen, without much conversation. They’re always appreciative and express that, very much so. I’ve met so many interesting people, including folks who were musicians or who played music their whole lives and of course, they love to talk about those happy memories”

This year she plans on doing more unique venues and try performing at new places. "We have local favorite places we enjoy playing regularly, and in the last few years, we’ve done some rather special events, so I’d like to keep that trend"

Despite all her accomplishments, she also admits to an inferiority complex. “Not having enough confidence is a constant struggle. It affects everything I do. I try to just put my head down and do whatever I have to, but it’s not easy.”

Also for favorites and influences, she says it is impossible to pick a favorite song but she really likes “Wonderous Stories” by Yes. She says a desert island disc for her would be Concerto de Aranjuez for guitar and orchestra. As for a most influential book (a question I like to ask everybody), “A standout is “Into Thin Air,”

Dorothy is making the most of her life- connecting to family and friends, giving to others, and, of course, indulging us in the wonderful gift of her music. People like Dorothy are rare. I’m so lucky I can call her my aunt.