Biography
Soprano Kathryn Grumley, was reviewed by Alan Sherrod of ArtsKnoxville following her performance in Marble City Opera's 2023 production of The Infinite Energy of Ada Lovelace as: "Grumley’s portrayal [of Harriet Beecher Stowe] is deliciously peppery, fidgety, and energetic, giving her scene some roller coaster dramatics." Kathryn has also been reviewed by Lawrence Budman of The South Florida Classical Review, who reviewed the Miami Music Festival's 2018 production of La Rondine stating: "Kathryn Grumley [as Magda] had the hall-filling spinto voice to float Puccini's phrases with ardor as well as subtlety…and sung with just the right touch of lifting enchantment. Dramatically, Grumley dominated the stage owning every scene from the rise of the curtain.” The Grunion Gazette has noted her ability to sing “beautifully, and with impressive musicality.” The Austin Chronicle has written that “her voice possesses a rich, caramel quality that beautifully suits her character’s choices as she sings the role with elements of sadness, fear, and remorse.”
Kathryn has had several role and company debuts in her 2023/2024 season. Most recently, Kathryn debuted as the iconic Blanche DuBois in Tacoma Opera’s production of A Streetcar Named Desire. She also debuted singing the role of Harriet Beecher Stowe in the Marble City Opera’s production of The Infinite Energy of Ada Lovelace before joining the cast at Salt Marsh Opera to sing the role of the First Lady in The Magic Flute. Kathryn was also featured in two concert series staged by Chandler Opera, and she returned to the Czech Republic as a 2024 Voice Fellow with OpernFest Prague.
Upcoming this winter, Kathryn will be covering the role of Mimì in Arizona Opera’s 2025 production of La bohème.
Other operatic highlights include: Soprano Soloist in Verdi’s Requiem and Handel’s Messiah; Mimì in La bohème; Magda in La rondine, Anna Sørensen (cover) in Silent Night; Annina in La traviata; Kate Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly; Susanna and Barbarina in Le nozze di Figaro; the Nominee’s Wife in The Manchurian Candidate; Marzelline in Fidelio; and Sister Catherine in Dead Man Walking. Kathryn was awarded First Place in the Artist Division of the National Opera Association’s Carolyn Bailey & Dominick Argento Vocal Competition in 2019.
In addition to her degree in Opera Performance, Kathryn is doubled board certified as a Certified Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) and a Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN). She worked as a hospital crisis ICU and ER nurse in Arizona, Texas, and Aruba during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Austin Opera recognized the value of her unique skill set by selecting her to serve as their Certified Health Advisor in 2021 and 2022.
Kathryn is a native of Phoenix, AZ and currently lives in Tempe, AZ with her sweet rescue dog Sadie.
