Kirsten Sollek is a renowned classical music artist known for her exceptional contralto voice. She was born on August 22, 1979, in New York City, USA. Her parents were both musicians, and they encouraged her to pursue music from a young age. Kirsten grew up in a musical household, and her parents exposed her to a wide range of musical genres, including classical, jazz, and folk music. Kirsten's love for music grew as she got older, and she began taking singing lessons at the age of 12. She showed great promise as a singer, and her teachers encouraged her to pursue a career in music. Kirsten attended the Juilliard School in New York City, where she studied voice under the tutelage of renowned vocal coach, Marlena Malas. During her time at Juilliard, Kirsten honed her skills as a singer and began to develop her unique contralto voice. She also had the opportunity to perform in several productions, including Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" and Handel's "Messiah." Kirsten's performances were well-received, and she quickly gained a reputation as a talented young singer. After graduating from Juilliard, Kirsten began her professional career as a classical music artist. She performed in several operas and concerts, including Handel's "Rodelinda" and Bach's "St. Matthew Passion." Kirsten's performances were praised for her rich, warm voice and her ability to convey emotion through her singing. In 2005, Kirsten won the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, which is one of the most prestigious singing competitions in the world. The competition attracts thousands of singers from around the world, and only a handful are selected to perform at the finals. Kirsten's performance at the finals was outstanding, and she was awarded first prize. The win at the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions was a turning point in Kirsten's career. It opened up new opportunities for her, and she began to receive invitations to perform at major opera houses and concert halls around the world. Kirsten's performances were highly anticipated, and she quickly became one of the most sought-after contralto singers in the world. One of Kirsten's most memorable performances was in Handel's "Giulio Cesare" at the Metropolitan Opera in 2013. The production was directed by David McVicar, and Kirsten played the role of Cornelia. Her performance was praised for its emotional depth and the beauty of her voice. The New York Times described her performance as "a revelation" and praised her "rich, dark, and expressive voice." Kirsten has also performed with several renowned orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic. She has worked with some of the most respected conductors in the world, including Sir Simon Rattle, Riccardo Muti, and Daniel Barenboim. In addition to her performances, Kirsten is also a dedicated teacher. She has taught voice at several universities, including the University of Michigan and the University of Illinois. Kirsten is passionate about passing on her knowledge and experience to the next generation of singers. Kirsten has received several awards and honors throughout her career. In 2014, she was awarded the Richard Tucker Award, which is given to a young American singer who shows great promise in the field of opera. The award is named after the legendary tenor, Richard Tucker, and is considered one of the most prestigious awards in the world of opera.

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