Teacher, coach, and mentor

Kunde views teaching young artists as his responsibility and obligation to future generations.

The tenor took time out of his busy rehearsal and performance schedule in Vienna to meet with some singers from the Wiener Staatsoper’s Young Artist Program. Stressing a natural technique for vocal production, Kunde spent time addressing such topics as diction, projection, focus, and tone with four rising artists. As a teacher, Kunde stays away from imposing a specific technique or protocol for his students. Rather, he listens to voices to find what makes each unique, emphasizing the positive and encouraging healthy habits. Citing his early career experience in Chicago at the Lyric Opera there, the tenor recalls the sound advice and repertory recommendations made to him by such legendary singers as Pavarotti, Domingo, and his mentor Alfredo Kraus. In Kunde’s studio, there is the opportunity to grow and flourish without a formulaic approach.

Kunde will be in Milan in November to work with students from the Accademia alla Scala, where he visits on a regular basis to work with the young artists there.