Kinga Locklear

Kinga Locklear, soprano, received her Masters in Vocal Performance from Hunter College in 2007, where she studied with Norma Newton. She is also a graduate of the Amalfi Coast Music Festival, where she performed the role of the Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro. Known for her distinctive range, Ms. Locklear first performed roles for mezzo-soprano, such as Amneris (Aida) as well as both Arnalta and Octavia in L’incoronazione di Poppea. She has since extended her repertoire into soprano roles, and, in addition to the Countess, has appeared as Mrs. Ford (Falstaff), and the First Lady (Die Zauberflöte). Currently, she is singing the roles of Donna Elvira, Tatyana, Ilia and Desdemona.

Ms. Locklear has dedicated extensive work as a recitalist to the works of Eastern European composers. While at Hunter College, she was twice awarded grants for her “Crossroads of Inspiration” recitals, which featured songs by Rachmaninov, Cui, Mussorgsky, Shostakowich, Bartok, Dvorak, Moniuszko, Żelenski and Szymanowski. Widely praised for their programming, these recitals also led to Ms. Locklear’s collaboration with pianist Anna Kijanowska, DMA, with whom she continues to work. Other recitals have included a performance of Chopin songs as part of the Amalfi Festival, and a graduate recital of Schubert, Duparc, Debussy, Britten and Lutosławski, as well as recitals of Italian songs and the songs of Debussy.

Beginning her musical education in Poland, Ms. Locklear began studying the piano at the age of ten. Since then, she has sung in choirs for over twelve years, beginning in Krakow and Vienna. In the United States she performed as a soloist for the Angelus Chorus. Her success as a choral soloist led her to begin her formal vocal education in the studio of Raymond McDermott, followed by two years of undergraduate study with Julia Grella at Hunter College. She completed her subsequent years of graduate study with Norma Newton as a scholarship recipient of the Kosciuszko Foundation.

Ms. Locklear is married with one child. Since becoming a mother in 2010 she has changed the focus of her musical career and has devoted her time mainly to early music education.