Kearstin Piper Brown never expected to be in front of a microphone—or in the spotlight on stage. She started out as a music history major in undergrad, but as she worked as the editorial assistance on NPR’s Performance Today, she became interested in performing as a singer. While booking interviews with classical music artists for NPR’s Fred Childs, she began to think “I can do that.” She later met Rochester baritone William Warfield at a conference in Denver, and he encouraged her to pursue a career as a soprano. Kearstin began taking classes with Warfield at Northwestern University. “He created a safe space,” says Kearstin, “He inspired me with his cool and calm about classical singing.”
Now, Kearstin Brown performs all over the country, and will be performing as Bess in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess with the Utah Festival Opera this summer, among other roles. One of her favorite, however, has been performing as The Countess in Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro. “It’s so fun,” says Kearstin. “The music is simple yet not.” Kearstin encourages career musicians to have a life outside of music that can bring you back to reality. “For me, it’s being a mom of two,” notes Kearstin. “You can’t obsess over one missed note after a performance. As a musician, you’ve got to do it, flush it, and move on.”
Kearstin Piper Brown will be performing at Rochester's Downtown United Presbyterian Church on Sunday, Febraury 28th at 3pm. To learn more about Kearstin, visit: http://www.kearstinpiperbrown.com/
Kearstin Brown's Website
- by Alyssa Rodriguez