Dianne Iauco

EDITOR’S NOTE: A church community is created when people gather together for the love of God. At the same time, Saint Philip’s is comprised of many people who represent different ages, life experiences, and world views.

The “In conversation…” series is one attempt to create possibilities for connection between the different people in our community. As varied as we all are, there are also similarities and mutual interests waiting to be discovered. And there is one thing we all share: a desire to know God and be in relationship with him.

This week’s conversation is with parishioner and volunteer Dianne Iauco.

Before anything else, how do you pronounce your last name?
My paternal grandfather came to Ellis Island in the early 1900s. He wasn’t well educated and like many immigrants, his last name may have been misspelled, hence the many vowels. It’s pronounced: ee-YAH-oo-ko. Just slur the vowels together!

How long have you worshiped at Saint Philip’s?
It’s been just over 17 years.

How would you describe Saint Philip’s to someone unfamiliar with the parish?
It’s very welcoming to people of all faiths and backgrounds. I always enjoy hearing how people find their way here and make this parish their home.

What about Saint Philip’s appeals to you?
As a musician, it’s no surprise that the parish’s wonderful music program is important to me. But it’s more than that. I love the liturgy, the clergy, the campus—all are incredibly inviting.

My daughter, Belen, grew up participating in the Saint Nicholas Choir and did two England residencies with it. My husband Arizeder was a lay clerk (singing bass) with the choir for many years, and also sang in the all-male choir back in the late 70s. 

Arizeder died of cancer four years ago. Fr Robert and Fr Peter were incredibly supportive during that time and during his 12-year illness. They were real rocks.

Arizeder was a big personality and well liked. He grew up in Tucson, went to the University of Arizona, and at one time was Music Critic at the Arizona Daily Star newspaper. Over 400 people attended his funeral. 

I have great friends here; I love this community.

How are you involved in the parish?
I sing in the choir and spent many years on the Board of Directors for Friends of Music.

What’s your musical background?
I have three degrees: a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Voice Performance, and an Artist’s Diploma in Opera. But as most professional musicians learn—especially singers like me trying to survive in New York City—we have to complement our singing with other jobs.

What was your other job?
A commercial real estate department at Chase Manhattan Bank needed a long-term temp and I was fortunate to get that gig. The staff was wonderful and loved that I sang at the New York City Opera so they were very flexible and gave me time off when necessary.

Musicians are very detail oriented—and that skill carried over into my administrative work. Musicians don’t just learn notes on the page. Singers have to learn different languages (I’ve studied Italian, French, and German) and we are trained to practice, practice, practice. We do whatever it takes to give our best effort. My colleagues at the bank appreciated that my training meant that I would stay late and do whatever was necessary to get work done.

What do you do professionally here in Tucson?
I’m an Executive Assistant at Cox Communications.

Were you raised in a faith tradition?
Very much so! My family is Italian and I was raised in the Roman Catholic church. My parents were active in their church in Syracuse, where I’m from originally.

Both my parents were very active in their choir. My mother had a beautiful voice and was a soloist. On Friday nights, half the choir would come to our house for parties. It was great fun!

How did you come to the Episcopal church?
My introduction to the Episcopal church was when I sang professionally in an Episcopal Presbyterian choir. The Episcopal liturgy was similar to the Roman Catholic church but the sermons were quite different. I still remember the first few; the priest talked about the Bible. It was unusual to hear a sermon about something other than “the collection” or sin. It was refreshing and opened my eyes to church being about more than the catechism.

Years later, I attended St. Thomas Episcopal Church on Fifth Avenue. That’s where I was received formally into the Episcopal church.

How did your parents feel about you joining the Episcopal church?
My parents didn’t quite understand why I changed denominations but they were happy I was practicing a faith.

My four siblings and I knew how important my parents’ faith was to them by how they lived their lives. They passed that on to us and I’m very grateful.

What do you do just for fun?
I’m a knitter and will knit almost anything that has good directions. There are a few of us who meet regularly to knit and enjoy each other’s company. Right now, I’m knitting two pairs of socks at the same time on a magic loop.

I also adore getting together with friends.

What is something you’re proud of?
Besides my daughter Belen, I was a winner in Luciano Pavarotti’s voice competition and got to sing with him.

Please share more about that!
It was a year-long competition with panels in different cities. The first panel was in Philadelphia. After that I performed for Pavarotti at the Beacon Theater in New York City. There were many more panels before I went to Philadelphia again to sing with Pavarotti and his coach. And then I competed some more.

Ultimately, I sang with him at the Opera Company of Philadelphia. My role was Oscar the page in Un Ballo in Maschera.

What’s one of your guiding principles?
Always find the good in people. My mother modeled that for my three sisters, my brother, and me.

What’s one of your super powers?
I’m a good listener and empathetic. That helps people’s spirits but I also like to cook and share food.

What’s something about you that might surprise people?
That despite being a performer, I can be shy. But luckily, on stage I morph into my other self. I lose myself in the interpretation of beautiful music and want to bring the audience along on the journey.

I consider my ability a true gift from God—not only my voice but how I approach music and interpret it.

What’s a fun fact about you?
I’m a fraternal twin.

What’s the most used app on your phone?
Solitaire.

Cake or pie?
That depends on who makes it.

What’s your favorite color?
Lilac.

Missed an interview? All previous interviews can be found on Saint Philip’s website under the “About Us” tab. Click here to visit that page.