My Name is Kenneth Kellogg. I am a husband, father, and Opera Singer. The first of those 2 are the most important but when I’m not actively doing either of those I sing opera. This essentially means, I spend a lot of time working on my craft. I collaborate with a team that helps me train to be at my best when I perform. I have regular voice lessons and spend a lot of time at the piano working on learning opera roles that I get to perform on stages across the world. I travel from city to city, country to country meeting and making music for other artists with the hope of moving audiences that come to hear us.
Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in music? Where have you found the support you've needed to start and grow?
Early on, it was amazing music teachers that inspired me to pursue music. Now it’s Music that inspires me to continue to pursue music. I’ve found support in friends and family who love me beyond and despite my musical endeavors, and in those people who love music and appreciate what I have to offer to it through my love and dedication to the craft.
What have been the greatest challenges of your career so far?
The greatest challenge for me in this career is the time I have to spend away from my family. When I go on the road for work, my family travels with me sometimes but they also have lives at home that can’t and shouldn’t be disrupted. It gets harder and harder to leave home and my family to go on the road. But luckily I REALLY love what I do.
Which performance are you most proud of? Why?
I’m most proud of the opera Blue by Jeanine Tesori and Tazewell Thompson. I was an opera that was written for me and it spoke to a lot of things that were happening in my community. It a really beautiful tragic story about a Black family and community and its the first time I’ve really been able to see people that “look” like me on stage in opera. It won the North American Critics Association Best New Opera of 2020. It has been a great vehicle to tell a poignant story.
What is your definition of success as an opera singer?
Success as a singer for me is to be able to work often, feel fulfilled, have fun, and surrender to the craft.
Valentina Sadiul Photography 2021
Time you wake up: Most days at 6:30 am but it mostly depends on when one of the kids wakes up.
Morning routine: I spend sometime with the kids watching cartoons and having coffee before I make breakfast for the family and help get them ready for their day.
Best habit: I have to finish what I start.
Worst habit: (hahah) I have to finish what I start, I can get obsessive about it sometimes.
Personal philosophy: Everything has its purpose and I have to respect the things that are not mine.
Book you are reading now: Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent by Isabel Wilkerson
Most used apps: E-Trade, Robinhood, IG, Facebook
Time you go to sleep: Whenever I’m tired or finished what I’ve started during the day.
IG: Kenneth.kellogg and for Artwork: kenneth.kellogg.pen_to_paper
Twitter: kkellog79