Name: Kristen DiNinno, mezzo soprano

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA

1. How did you first become interested in singing?

When I was a child, I was very shy. So, My mother signed me up for a theater camp, because she knew I loved to sing and thought it would get me to open up more. Ever since then, I couldn’t do anything else.

2. Where/with whom have you studied?

I studied with Ms. Daphne Alderson at Seton Hill University while in high school. In college, I studied with Dr. Karen Eckenroth at Otterbein College. I then began studying with Ms. Hilda Harris while at The Manhattan School of Music.

3. What is your favorite opera and why?

My favorite opera is Le Nozze di Figaro. Mozart was introduced to me early on while studying voice and I grew very fond of his music. I love the playful drama of this opera and how everyone can somehow identify with what a character is going through even in today’s world.

4. What is your dream role?

My dream role would have to be Carmen. She is a strong, powerful women and for someone who is used to playing trouser roles, it would be so much fun to play such an attractive, vivacious character.

5.  If you could have dinner with any composer, who would you choose and why?

If he were alive, I would say Mozart. As far as living composers, I would have dinner with John Adams. I am currently in a production of The Death of Klinghoffer and singing his music everyday I hear something new every time. His use of orchestration is just so fantastic. It is unlike any other orchestration I have heard.

6.  Do you have any pre-performance rituals?

I get a lot of sleep the day before and I wake up humming low notes just to get my voice moving. I drink tons of water on performance day, and will glance at spots of music that I want to go over. The rest of the day I try to relax, listen to music, or watch a movie just to keep my body and voice relaxed.

7.  What has been your most unusual performance to date and why?

One time while performing outreach for a high school a fight broke out between students. It was a little scary, but I kept singing. As they say, “the show must go on!”

8.  If you were tone-deaf, what would your dream job be?

A pilot. Before wanting to be a singer, I was set on being a commercial airline pilot. I love traveling and I think it is so amazing that we have the ability to do something so complex.

9.  What’s on your iPod right now?

Opera, of course. However, I love listening to some Mariah Carey, Ben Folds, Frank Sinatra, and John Cougar Melloncamp. I have a pretty eclectic mix of styles and genres.

10. What are you most excited to do in Milwaukee?

Sing! I also hear that there is great cheese!