Alumna performs at 150th Anniversary of Yellowstone National Park

From alumna Kirsten C. Kunkle:

In what is possibly my most historic and most important thrilled to announce moment of my life, I can now tell you about Yellowstone Revealed!

Last year when I did "Circle of Resilience" with Intermountain Opera Bozeman, I met Shane Doyle, who invited me to participate in what was to be a celebration of Yellowstone National Park 's 150th anniversary.

Initially, I was slated to perform, which is exciting and historic in and of itself. I told him I would be happy to contribute a poem for the event, and he said Mountain Time Arts would be interested in commissioning it.

Over time, the poem became a commission for a brand new art song composition!

So here it is... for the 150th anniversary of Yellowstone National Park, I am premiering an art song for soprano and piano that I was commissioned to write for the event. It is called "Reclaim the Land," and it focuses on the relationship between Indigenous Peoples and Yellowstone. Michael Sakir of Intermountain Opera Bozeman will be premiering these pieces with me on piano by the mountains of Yellowstone on August 24th and 25th.

Additionally, I will be singing Scott Bradley Joiner 's "Anna's Moon Aria" based on a portion of the "Killers of the Flower Moon" story. I premiered this aria at Minton's Harlem in December 2021, and I am delighted to bring it to a new audience, literally under the moon.

This historic event is part of the All Nations Teepee Village part of Yellowstone Revealed. I am honored beyond belief to bring classical singing to Yellowstone, along with my self-proclaimed "opera niece" Cherokee mezzo-soprano Kate Morton. I am so excited that I am also bringing my extremely supportive husband Jason Dick to experience Yellowstone with me.

Thank you to Shane and Mountain Time Arts for this amazing opportunity and experience. Thank you also to my dear friend and Chickasaw composer Jerod Impichchaachaaha Tate for being my cheerleader and supporter in this incredible endeavor.

I cannot wait to be back in Big Sky country, sharing my voice and my music.