Check Out Michael Dashefsky’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Dashefsky. 

Hi Michael, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I was born in Miami, Florida. My mother grew up in the quiet surfing province of La Union in the Philippines. My Dad was an east coast Jewish kid that loves a good bagel with lox and onions. Fate brought them together in Miami, where my sister Reyna and I spent part of our childhood going to visit my grandparents in Boca Raton. Eclectic music was always playing in the background: from to Stevie Wonder to Tower of Power to jazz fusion, R&B, classic rock, and Motown. This exposure to great music led to piano lessons at the age of 5. Shortly after I began playing piano, my dad took the leap of faith and moved our family out to west to San Diego. This monumental decision was incredibly rewarding and further ignited a love for the performing arts in both music and, eventually theatre. I studied classical piano with Rinna Livshin in Rancho Penasquitos, where I completed all levels of Certificate of Merit and participated in the yearly Southern California Bach competition. I combined my love of music by playing piano in theatre productions in middle school and eventually developed a love for performance on stage. I participated in every high school theatre production at Torrey Pines while also being heavily involved in their music program (shout out to the amazing teachers Marinee and Amy). At Torrey Pines High School, I was able to make the most of my love for the arts while also participating in Varsity Swim, ASB, and fostering an incredible group of friends that have been with me since the 3rd grade. I continued to pursue theatre and attended Cal State University Fullerton’s BFA Musical Theatre Program. Their rigorous curriculum cut prospective students each semester. This instilled a hunger to work hard towards my craft and do my very best. And I owe the work that I have booked outside of school to my parents, the countless professors, and peers that I have been lucky enough to study with. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I try not to focus on the auditions and callbacks I don’t book and look at each one as a learning experience that teaches me something about my craft and what I can do better next time. I have been lucky enough to have been consistently performing out of college, but Covid was the ultimate game changer. I was supposed to leave for a contract to perform on a ship transitioning to South America. The day I was supposed to fly to Ft Lauderdale, the cruise industry shut down. It was a very dark, brutal, depressing, and bleak period of time that felt like ground hogs’ day. Luckily, I have an incredible support system. My parents, my sister, her fiancé, and my amazing group of friends in San Diego and, honestly, all over the world (thanks to zoom) kept me afloat. And despite the challenges of Covid, I was able to reinvent how I approached performing. I pivoted by teaching over zoom providing voice and piano lessons. My students became a saving grace in a very dark and depressing time. They have taught me how to be better performer, educator and how important music is as an outlet. I became a better musician through them, and they truly lifted my spirits in ways they will never know. 

Auditioning during Covid has been also very challenging. Face-to-face interaction is paramount when you are auditioning theatrically. Learning how to audition digitally has been a completely different ballgame. At times it feels like audition videos are sent out into the ether, and you’re not even sure if casting is viewing the video. Nonetheless, as we navigate through the pandemic, I am getting better at saying no to projects that are not a good fit for me. I try to be very honest with myself if something doesn’t feel like a good fit. I think we are trained as performers to say “yes” to anything and everything for the love of the craft. To a certain degree, it is extremely important to build that resume and develop your art, but based on my experience where I am at in my career and with teaching, I am more specific about projects I want to work on. It is a delicate balance because you do the arts for the love of the craft, but it is also ok to say no to an audition or an opportunity that you aren’t excited about. 

One thing that never gets easier is always the incredible uncertainty of when you will book the next project. During these periods, I focus on teaching, continuing to audition, work on my craft, travel and spend time with my loved ones. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have been lucky to work with some incredible entertainment institutions, and it has taken me to over 60+ countries and territories. I have worked as a performer for Princess Cruise lines, East West Players, Transcendence Theatre Company, The Chance Theatre, Tokyo Disney Resort, Holland America Line, and Universal Studios Singapore. Most recently, I served as assistant music director, pianist, and actor at both Chicago Shakespeare Theatre and Milwaukee Repertory Theatre in their Beatles-infused musical production of Shakespeares As You Like It. I am also a proud member of the Actors Equity Association. 

I am heavily involved in teaching voice and piano virtually with students all over San Diego and the US. I also assist with music at Hey Jojo/Solana Beach Community Theatre. I have been lucky enough to work with this organization throughout the pandemic. They have a great group of kids that get exposed to great production value and professional instruction. 

What does success mean to you?
I think success as a performer is finding a way to sustain a living doing what you love despite it not being the most stable/traditional career path. I have been incredibly lucky traveling and working abroad through performing. I am immensely thankful for the diverse cultural education I have experienced through the traveling. My favorite part is hosting friends and family when I am working on a contract. The memories that I have made are absolutely priceless, and I wouldn’t trade that for any dollar sign. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.michaeldashefsky.com/coaching
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/m_dashef/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michael.dashefsky/
• Other: https://linktr.ee/mdashefsky

Image Credits
Dublin Worldwide Productions
Michael Dashefsky
Broadway Ballroom