Kirsten Anderson

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Who Is Kirsten Anderson?
Kirsten-A rising singer, fought several tragic blows, then miracaulously dealt a second chance. She has grabbed it with both hands.

In Muskegon, Michigan, Kirsten was born into a musical family. From an early age, people noticed that the voice she was given wasn't average - but for Kirsten, it was the love of music, ingrained by her musical grandparents, that guided her. At 8, she began classical piano and other instruments. At 14, urged by her Theatre/English teacher, she began formal studies in vocal performances and languages. At 17, she traveled Europe as the featured soprano soloist for an international choir. When she wasn't studying or practicing, she was at a barn trail riding or showing off her best friend...her horse. For the most part, all seemed well and Kirsten had the notion that hard work pays off and all would be fine. She had no idea what lay ahead in the years to come and a Christmas eve miracle that would change her life path.

To provide further backdrop; Kirsten attended music school at Northwesten University. She continued studying Languages,Theory and Voice. While studying with a famous vocal instructor the summer of her Junior year, her grandmother died. This was a huge blow to Kirsten as her grandmother was the closest and most dear person to her. Her family kept telling her not to come home while her grandmother battled cancer because they didn't want her to give up this oppertunity. For a while, Kirsten died with her grandmother and then had a 3 month battle with bacterial pneumonia. She left school. She lost her heart and confidence. Kirsten felt as if her music was cursed somehow or a joke. Something was missing. To add to this, Kirsten would have 2 extensive jaw surgeries due to a condition called TMJ. In the meantime, she got a business degree and a Masters and went into the world to earn a living. She almost resented being able to sing so well and people telling her how good she was except for occasional soloing at churches and weddings.

In 2003, after a very serious ski crash over a 12 foot cliff, Kirsten had to have upper spinal surgery. Her discs were ruptured, making it hard to use her right side or walk without pain. The results ended in a catastrophe...her voice! During the surgery, a 4-inch incision was cut through her neck and the larynx was moved sideways. The nerve that controls the muscle for the vocal cords was 80% severed leaving her almost comepletely speechless. "I sat in tears 6 weeks later as a neurologist told me, after extensive tests, that I may never speak the same again...much less sing." She was told not to sing or talk for 6-7 months.

At this point she was completely beside herself. She took the toughest journey -inward- to talk with God and her Grandmother about what she was really on this Earth for. To add to the whirlwind, she was also staring down the barrel of a marital break-up and dealing with financial issues. She fell into depression. She was a wife and mother of two little girls. She kept thinking, 'there has to be a reason for this insanity....'

One morning, shortly after the negative vocal test results, her church nurse made a prediction. She said with a commanding voice, "Kirsten, You will sing for us at Christmas Eve." Seven months later, on this special night, Kirsten managed to lift her voice in song at the late service to gently sing 'Oh Holy Night.' A standing ovation followed.

A Second Chance?Rather than singing the classics from her training or the 'high church' choral works, she decided to write her own songs and just sing from her soul. Kirsten calls herself a Story Teller in addition to being a singer/musician. To Kirsten,"it's all about the Music...In Your Heart!" Whatever that is, live it with passion and DON"T LOOK BACK!

In early 2007 two Grammy award winning musicians in Nashville, John Jaszcz and John Lawry heard Kirsten sing and committed to making a record with her. John Jaszcz, who has won multiple Grammy’s for his work with Kirk Franklin, Israel Houghton and others met with Kirsten and became determined to help her co-produce a record. Lawry, who has recorded nine records with Christian rock band Petra, began writing with Kirsten and together they have been able to create a work of love. The songs are based on Kirsten’s life stories, that we all share, and they are contained within one powerful album --Ride This River