http://www.kirstenckunkle.com/

Tell us a little about yourself! Where are you from? What is your educational and musical background?

Hi! I'm originally from Fremont, Ohio, but I've lived in Wilmington, Delaware for the past five years. I started taking voice lessons at the age of twelve. I went to Bowling Green State University for my undergraduate degree in voice performance, with minors in Italian and German. I spent my senior year studying German at the University of Salzburg. My masters and doctorate are from the University of Michigan, both in voice performance.

What is one thing you wish you had known as a young singer and why?

I wish that I had known more about business acumen and how to treat your career as your own business. I also wish I had realized just how dedicated and ambitious you need to be to have success in this highly competitive field. It takes a lot more drive to continue to work when the vast majority of your attempts to sing are met with rejection and you have to find other work to pay your bills. You have to be willing to stay positive and find the beauty in your work and artistry instead of getting hung up on others' successes during times when you're not finding performing work.

Tell us about an obstacle you have faced during your career and how you overcame it.

I think the biggest hurdle that I've faced is having people tell me that I wasn't going to be able to do something that I had set my mind to accomplish. I've faced people questioning my talent, my work ethic, and my actual voice. I take a certain amount of satisfaction in proving people wrong. When people tell me I can't do something, I find it to be a challenge to figure out how I can succeed. I think the biggest key to my success has been extreme tenacity and a slight streak of stubbornness.

What is one role or piece you could perform over and over and never get tired of?

Magda in "The Consul." It was a dream role that I finally got to play that fits my voice perfectly. It challenges me dramatically and vocally, and every time I sing through it I find new and exciting ways of delving deeper into the character.

If you could only give one piece of advice to a young singer, what would it be?

Give yourself a break. You are human, and you are imperfect. Sometimes, you will not hit that high note or you will forget a phrase. Give yourself credit for what you're doing right and don't beat yourself up for what has gone wrong. That being said, you must always be ready with all of your preparation done before the first rehearsal.

Is there anything you spent too much time stressing over that didn't end up being a big deal?

Most things! I am my own harshest critic and a natural worrier. If you do the work ahead of time, come utterly prepared, give your best at all times, and are a good colleague, no one can ask more of you.

Where can we catch you performing next?

I have performances with Wilmington Concert Opera (the company that I co-founded), Delaware Valley Opera Company, Concert Operetta Theater, and OperaLancaster coming up soon, all within the greater Philadelphia area. I also have recitals planned in both Ohio and Pennsylvania this summer.