Emerging lirico-spinto soprano, Dawn Kunkel, possesses a voice that has been described as “hauntingly beautiful, exciting, powerful, unique, and with an easy upper register.” As stated by conductor Fiora Contino, “She has a dramatic flair for making music her own and her voice is large enough for our big halls.”

Dawn has sung leading roles in Hänsel und Gretel, Die Zauberflöte, La Clemenza di Tito, Fidelio, Le Convenienze ed Inconvenienze Teatrali, La Rondine, The Consul, I Pagliacci, The Tender Land, and Turandot. The Grants Pass Courier noted that” Dawn’s rich voice adds a dimension to the Countess, a sadness you can hear in the notes,” of her Rogue Opera performance in Le Nozze di Figaro. She has performed with Des Moines Metro Opera (where she served as an apprentice artist), Austin Opera, The University of Texas Opera Theater, Westminster Opera Theater, Rogue Opera, and Regina Opera. Dawn has also sung in the New York City venues of Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall.

She was an apprentice artist finalist for Central City Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago. Dawn earned her Bachelor of Music degree focusing on Applied Voice from the University of Texas at Austin. Her Master of Music degree in Voice Pedagogy and Performance is from Westminster Choir College of Rider University.

She currently resides in New York City and studies with Jorge Pita Carreras.