Rising Stars: Meet Bethany Jelinek of Downtown

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bethany Jelinek.

Hi Bethany, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have always loved to sing. My parents are not musical but have always supported my interests. I started in piano lessons at around 9 years old and I joined a choir in middle school. I excelled musically in high school; performing at a high-level in state choir competitions and in musical theatre. I often say this as a joke, but there is a lot of truth to the fact that I was good at singing and I was loud which led me to the world of opera. I attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, my hometown, where I studied vocal performance. I earned a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music there. It wasn’t until my junior year that I was certain that opera would be my path. I performed my first lead role in an opera, Fiordiligi in Mozart’s “Così fan tutte”, and that experience solidified my career choice. Upon graduating, I continued to perform and teach around Dallas until I eventually landed a position with The Lyric Opera of Kansas City as a Resident Artist which brought me to KC!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Pursuing a career in opera is an experience that is individual to each performer. There is no set path to success and the goal post is constantly moving. I am grateful that my path has been relatively smooth and I am determined to take no opportunity for granted. A unique part of this career is that we are constantly auditioning for the next job, so we don’t experience job security in a traditional sense. Something that I have learned is vital to success in this field is an unwavering belief in yourself and your abilities. You must have something to say as an artist and intrinsic motivation to communicate it.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an opera singer. Currently, I am the Soprano Resident Artist with Lyric Opera of Kansas City. Per kcopera.org, resident artists “appear in mainstage roles, serve as performing resources for education and community engagement initiatives, work with visiting guest artists, participate in masterclasses and career coaching, receive voice lessons and vocal coaching, and study leading roles. Resident Artists also receive training in acting, movement, and stage combat under the guidance of industry professionals. Many Lyric Opera Resident Artist alumni maintain professional careers in the industry.”

In my time here, I made my mainstage operatic debut in “Cruzar la Cara de la Luna” as Diana which was a major professional milestone. I was also the titular character in the world premiere of a family opera by Lori Laitman, “Maya and the Magic Ring”. I am most proud of these accomplishments. I am currently singing in the chorus of Puccini’s “Turandot” which opens Friday, May 2nd.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I think that risk taking is absolutely necessary in my career field. No one is going to help me to the top, I have to push myself outside of my comfort zone to climb. In my experience, the greatest rewards come from the greatest risks. Truly, the biggest risk I’ve taken in my career so far is moving to Kansas City to be a Resident Artist with The Lyric Opera of Kansas City. Before this year, I lived in Dallas since the age of 9. This is the first time I have lived away from my family and it was a big step to move away from my comfort zone to a new city, alone.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bethanyjelinek.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethanyjelinek/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Bethany-Jelinek-Soprano/100094734726039/