Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Wright.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
From the very first time I stepped into a spotlight, I knew performing was where I belonged. Music has always been my way of connecting — a place where my passion, my voice, and my experiences all meet. Looking back, every twist in my journey has led me to the artist I am today.
Early Roots
My artistic foundation began in the theatre. Throughout my childhood, teens, and college years, I performed in hundreds of theatre and musical theatre productions. Those stages taught me discipline, emotional truth, and the power of storytelling — tools that continue to ground every note I sing.
During my time at the University of Toledo, where I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance, I experienced some of the most formative moments of my early career. I was part of a small team of UT students invited to perform in Poland and Hungary, including a special appearance at the All-Hungarian Student Drama Festival. Sharing our work overseas and connecting through the universal language of theatre opened my eyes to the global power of art.
Shortly after, I toured the U.S. for six months with the Flint Youth Theatre, performing in a deeply impactful production centered around youth violence. We visited schools and communities across the country, using theatre as a bridge to tough conversations and healing. That tour changed me — as an artist and as a human being. It taught me that performance can be a force for compassion, truth, and transformation.
These early experiences built the foundation for everything that came next.
Growing Through Experience
From 2019 to 2023, I served as the lead female vocalist, dancer, and acrobat in Style in Stereo, a full-scale performance show band where I blended big vocals with high-energy movement and theatrical flair. It pushed me technically, artistically, and physically, shaping me into a dynamic and resilient performer.
Along the way, I explored acoustic performance, which remains one of the most meaningful parts of my musical identity. I performed in the Chris & Kim Acoustic Duo (2022–2024) and later led Sidewinder Serenades (2023–2024). These projects allowed me to strip the music back, connect more intimately, and explore the emotional edges of my voice.
Today, I intentionally keep acoustic shows in my repertoire — performing with Scott Cannon, Ryan Thomas Holley, and James Reid — to maintain a sense of vulnerability in my craft. These acoustic collaborations keep me grounded, honest, and connected to the heart of why I sing.
Joining Departure ATX
In the summer of 2024, I joined Departure ATX as a lead vocalist. Bringing arena-level vocals, theatricality, and emotional storytelling into this established Austin band has been an incredible fit. It lets me bring together everything I’ve learned — precision, power, harmony, confidence, and presence — into one dynamic musical home.
FireAway, Original Music, and New Creative Horizons
In 2025, I stepped into an electrifying new project: FireAway, an all-star tribute to the powerhouse women of ’80s rock, co-fronted by me and Lara Price. Performing the iconic music of Heart, Pat Benatar, and other rock legends feels like coming home to the high-voltage, big-voiced world where I thrive. FireAway has been a reminder of the thrill of stepping into bold, unapologetic femininity in rock.
I also sing in a Texas-based original project known as So Called Underground, which performs original Country/Americana music written by Kenny and Christine Sharretts. Exploring original material challenges me creatively and keeps my artistry growing.
Why I Do What I Do
At the core of everything is connection. I don’t just want to sing songs — I want to share something real. Whether I’m belting rock anthems, performing with full production, or sitting on a stool with my dear friends playing acoustic guitar by my side, I aim to create a moment that someone in the room truly feels.
My journey through touring theatre, show bands, acoustic duos, tribute projects, original music, and powerhouse collaborations has shaped me into the artist I am today: versatile, passionate, evolving, and deeply committed to authenticity.
And the story is still unfolding — one stage, one song, one connection at a time.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My journey has been full of beautiful moments, but also plenty of obstacles, reinventions, and hard lessons. Coming from a theatre background and transitioning into the music world wasn’t always easy. I had to rebuild my identity as a performer more than once, learning how to use my voice in new ways, trust my instincts, and find where I truly fit.
There were seasons where opportunities fell through, projects shifted, or life demanded that I press pause and regroup. Like many artists, I faced periods of doubt — wondering if I was choosing the right path, if my voice was enough, if the next door would ever open. Balancing creative life with real-life responsibilities hasn’t always been simple, and there were times when I had to fight to keep my passion alive.
It also took time to find the right collaborators, the right musical homes, and the confidence to step into my power as a vocalist. Not every environment nurtured that. Some pushed me to grow; others taught me what I needed to walk away from.
But every obstacle — from the early hustle to reinvention, from personal challenges to artistic uncertainty — carved out more depth, honesty, and resilience in me. I learned that vulnerability is strength, adaptability is essential, and that the path is rarely straight but always meaningful.
All of the twists, setbacks, and rebuilds have led me to where I am now: performing with projects that align with my heart, surrounded by musicians I trust, and creating in ways that feel authentic. My journey has taught me that the road doesn’t have to be smooth for it to be beautiful. It just has to keep moving forward.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
By day, I step into the world of nonprofit development at the American Heart Association, a place where every conversation, every event, and every fundraiser is tied to something bigger than myself. It’s meaningful work — the kind that demands focus, heart, and emotional presence. Helping raise support for lifesaving research and community programs isn’t just a job; it’s a mission. But missions come with long hours, deadlines that don’t wait, and days that stretch far beyond the calendar.
And then there is the other part of me — the performer, the vocalist, the woman who feels most like herself when she’s under stage lights or harmonizing with a guitar in a dimly lit bar. Music has never been a hobby for me. It’s a calling. A pulse. The thing that fills my lungs as much as breath does.
Trying to honor both worlds hasn’t always been easy.
There are weeks when rehearsals start the moment my work laptop closes, when I go from planning donor events to stepping on stage with barely a moment to breathe. Nights spent driving home after gigs with makeup still on and emails waiting for me in the morning. Early alarms, late shows, and the constant dance between responsibility and passion.
Sometimes the two lives collide — fatigue sets in, schedules overlap, and I feel pulled in both directions. There have been moments when I wondered if I could keep doing both, if my music would somehow slip away while I poured myself into my career.
But strangely, one world fuels the other.
My work at the AHA reminds me why connection matters. Music reminds me why I matter. Advocacy gives my voice purpose; singing gives it freedom. And somewhere in the space between boardrooms and bar stages, nonprofit events and rock shows, mission work and melodies, I’ve learned to make room for both the cause and the calling.
It’s not a smooth balance — it’s more like a wild harmony.
But it’s my harmony. And every time I step on stage after a long day of service, I’m reminded that both sides of my life feed the same heart.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I’m always open to new musical collaborations — whether that’s live performances, studio work, acoustic projects, or creative partnerships with other artists and musicians. The best way to reach me is through my website or social media, where you can message me directly about ideas, bookings, or opportunities.
If you’d like to support my work, come to shows, share my music with friends, follow my projects, and stay connected to what I’m creating. Every message, every event, every person in the audience makes a real difference. I’m grateful for anyone who chooses to be part of this journey with me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kimberlywrightmusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberly_wright_music?igsh=MWZuZG5ha2dmaGI1dg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1RbSzqqTBm/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-wright-10659743?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: @KimberlyWrightMusic
Image Credits
Inspired by Karin Photography
Sean Hopper Photography
Seven Pillars Photography
