Theodore J. Tuinstra DO
Ted was born in The Netherlands and immigrated with his family to the USA as a teenager. He received his AB and MS degrees from Calvin College and the University of Michigan respectively. His medical studies were pursued in Chicago, followed by an internship in Tulsa and a surgical residency at DFW Medical center. Dr T. established and completed a successful career as a general surgeon in Dallas, TX. For many years he was chairman of the Department of Surgery at East Town Hospital (later, Metropolitan and Tricities), where he also supervised the training of interns and residents. During this time he was also appointed as Associate Professor of Surgery at Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine and at Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. As part of a large musical family, Ted literally learned to sing on his father's knee.This progressed via Boys Choir, High School and College Choirs, Glee Club, Chamber Singers, Dallas Symphony Chorus and The Dallas Opera Chorus, appearing as soloist for each of these groups. His major interest though was in the operatic tenor reportoire. He therefore studied with Mr. Thomas Hayward ( then head of the Vocal Department at SMU) and the inimmitable Maestro Benaglio (former chorus master at Milan's La Scala and The Dallas Opera). Although classically trained, Ted also found time to appear in musicals, notably as the lead ( Frank Butler ) in Annie Get Your Gun with Garland Civic Theater, ( Percy ) in The Boyfriend with UTD Theater and ( LT. Cable ) with Richland CC Theater. Ted met his wife Mary Virginia when he joined the professional Dallas Opera chorus in 1974. They were married in 1981 and enjoy performing operatic or musical variety shows together
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