Dopart makes room for music atop busy education career

By JIM TRAGESER - Staff Writer | Wednesday, March 26, 2008 9:55 AM PDT ∞

If you want to know how to explain folk singer Kerri Dopart's presence on San Diego's music scene, the easiest way might be simply to blame it on Rio.

"I moved to San Diego literally the day after I graduated from Brown University," Dopart said earlier this week by e-mail from her San Diego home. "I grew up on a small island just off the Rhode Island mainland, so when I spent my junior year of college in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, I realized I actually preferred city life and the sunshine. San Diego turned out to be the perfect fit. Where else could I record an album with Johnny Cash's guitarist? Not in Rhode Island!"

Growing up in New England, Dopart (who plays Friday at E Street Cafe in Encinitas) said music was around the house, although it wasn't anything formal. Her earliest efforts came on the piano at her grandmother's house next door. Dopart said she'd "go over there and bang on it. Eventually I started noticing that certain keys sounded better together than others."

She also said, "I think I've been singing since I was 2 years old. My dad has a friend whose band played at the 4-H fair. She called me up on stage to sing 'Daddy's Little Girl.' "

The next time Dopart would play in public would be in high school, at the annual talent show.

"That was when I made my debut as a guitar-toting singer-songwriter. I played one original song, 'Thoughts,' a song I wrote when I was 14. 'Thoughts' actually ended up on my first album 10 years later, because over the years people would tell me that they liked that song."

"I began writing songs in high school and was most prolific during my college years. From age 20 to 25, I didn't write any songs. I spent four years getting my master's degree and a teaching credential ---- but that's not the reason why I wasn't writing, it's just my working excuse. I think the reason for the lapse is mostly because I write songs when I'm inspired by someone. In college, I was surrounded by brilliant, creative people and had a new crush every week. At 25, I met 'Earthquake-guy' (this is how I affectionately refer to the inspiration for my award-winning 2006 song, 'Praying for an Earthquake'), and I've written about one solid song every six months or so since then."

When pressed, Dopart wrote that she'll admit to having written "12 and a half" songs.

But those dozen-plus songs have been enough to keep Dopart a busy and visible presence on the local acoustic music scene since her arrival. Still, like many ---- perhaps most ---- of the county's active musicians, Dopart doesn't earn her keep from her music. During the day, and not a few nights each week, she's an education professional.

"I work for Bridgepoint Education as policy communications specialist. This means I edit all of their materials (Web content, manuals, training materials) to make sure they not only sound good but always reflect the most up-to-date policy. I have to stay on top of higher education regulations and all internal and external university policies. Every day after work, I also tutor students from low-performing schools in City Heights. I help high school students, mostly African-Muslim refugees, prepare for the California High School Exit Exam, and I tutor elementary and middle school students in reading. On top of this, I also teach online classes for Ashford University.

"Now you won't be surprised if you visit my performance calendar and can only find a couple of weekend gigs a month!"

An active professional career outside music isn't keeping Dopart from dreaming about her parallel music career, however.

"My goal is to get 'Praying for an Earthquake' or 'Letters' into the soundtrack of a major motion picture or television show. If there's one comment I hear again and again, it's how those two songs in particular are relevant and touch emotional heartstrings."

Kerri Dopart

When: 8 p.m. Friday

Where: E Street Cafe, 128/130 W. E St., Encinitas

Admission: Free

Info: (760) 230-2038 or estreetcafe.com

Web: myspace.com/kerridopart

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