Living in a small town in Maine has not stopped 17 year old Kristyn Murphy. Her CD "To the Glory of God" has led her to aquire many adoring fans that have nicknamed her the Barefoot Soprano. This nickname has helped show her unique qualities and has furthered her attempt to encourage individuality. 

               Interview With Kristyn Murphy

What age did you begin singing/ private voice lessons?
I began solo performing at the age of 8.  I received some basic training, such as breathing, placement, phrasing etc. from my first piano teacher.  I began to train to be a professional performer at the age of 12 with an excellent private instructor.  I have been trained in the Bel Canto method of singing and plan to continue singing in this style.  

What inspired you to be a vocalist?                                                                           I began viewing singing as a possible career when I saw Feature Films For Families’ Rigoletto.  I was upstairs playing dolls and I heard this gorgeous singing coming up the stairs. I followed it and found that it was the main character in the movie singing.  I had refused to watch the movie at first, but I made my parents sit with me and watch it over again that very night because of the music I had just heard! I encourage everybody to see the movie…it is one of my favorites!! 


How did your love of music come about?
Music has always been in me.  I was born with it! When I was an infant I always kept time to my mobile with my feet. I can’t remember the time I first fell in love with music.

What were things that kept you going through difficult times?
My close relationship with God has been the thing that has helped me the most.  Other than that, my family! Especially my mum and dad. My siblings, my friends and my teachers all have been an encouragement. 

At what age did you begin performing?
My very first performance in front of an audience was when I was 4 and in nursery school. Everybody in the class sang some songs for parents.  When I was 8 I sang my first solo in front of about 200 people at my sisters wedding.

What do you like most about performing?
There is such a grand thrill that comes with performing.  The lord has blessed me with some amazing talents and it brings me great joy being able to share and touch others with them.  Music can influence an audience in so many different ways.  I know that I have had a successful performance when I can see what the different members of the audience are feeling for example, at times they may cry, while other times they may laugh.

Do you dislike anything about performing?
Not being able to eat 2 hours before performances.  Oh and absolutely no chocolate until after singing.

You have made “To the Glory of God” CD, what was the hardest thing about accomplishing that?
To The Glory of God was my first solo album.  It was a massive learning experience. The hardest thing was probably not having an audience when I recorded.  I feed off my audience’s energy.  Getting into my zone without an audience, and putting the same emotion and energy into the songs was definitely the hardest thing.

Do you have plans for another CD?
Yes, for many more CDs. I plan to stick around in the music world for many, many more years! 

What are you currently working on?
I am currently working on a new demo CD.  I am working on recording three opera pieces, an inspirational and a Broadway piece.   The songs will probably be included on my next album. 

Do you want to major in music, if so what (education, performance, general music, etc.)?
Yes, I plan to major in vocal/opera performance as well as either music and sound engineering or music management.

And lastly, what are your plans for the future?                                              I have a great number of plans for my future.  When I was about 12 I had it all planned out, I would dance until I couldn’t dance anymore.  Well, I tore my Achilles tendon in a ballet class when I was 15 and I can’t really do much with dance anymore…so that is checked off as complete.  Then, after/as I get my college education I will sing and tour about the world until I feel like retiring. I will then build a music camp. Then when I’m old, I’ll write a book of all of my grand adventures, lol.  When I get writers block, I will paint portraits and write music. 

I would like to give a big thanks to Kristyn Murphy for taking the time to answer these interview questions and for being so amazingly appreciative of her many fans. If you would like more information, check out her Official Website.