Q & Arts: Kalsey Kulyk
Country singer Kalsey Kulyk has overcome big struggles to make it to where she is today
Kari Pedersen
Arts Editor
Kalsey Kulyk is a small-town girl who decided to go for her dreams after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma at age 17. Years later, she is continuing to live out her dreams and is working hard on her music.
Photo courtesy: Twitter
Kalsey Kulyk is a small town girl with a big story. After being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma at 17, Kulyk decided to go for her dreams. Now several years later, she is keeping that promise to herself and working hard on her music career.
The Reflector: What made you want to be a singer?
Kalsey Kulyk: It was kind of ingrained in me because my mom was always singing to me while she was pregnant, and she would always sing to me when I was little. There are all these videos of her singing to me, and I would just be in awe of her. So then I guess I just picked up singing myself, and I always loved doing it. I think when I was diagnosed with cancer when I was 17, that was the turning point for me — that I was going to go for my dreams. Although I have been singing since I was three, so I guess it’s always been happening.
TR: As a cancer survivor what advice can you give to people who are struggling?
KK: I think the biggest thing that helped me get through was my family being super supportive of me. I always felt like I had protection; it made me feel safe and comfortable, as well as strong and positive. I have a pretty good outlook on life as it is, and I kind of always looked at it like I never really had cancer — I was going to beat it. It was just something I was going through at the time. Stay positive and keep yourself busy. When I was diagnosed, I was always able to do what I love, so it’s really important to find the things you love and keep your mind busy.
TR: Have the struggles you faced shaped the person you are today?
KK: Absolutely! The whole positive attitude thing taught me the outlook I should have, but it changed the person I was. I have always been positive, but it made me even more positive when it came to the things that I go through in the music business, so just stay positive.
TR: Where do you see yourself in a year?
KK: I do see myself touring, with someone like Brad Paisley, or my own tour. As a singer it is our dream to get out on the road, so a big ol’ tour.
TR: What is your favourite part about being on stage?
KK: Connecting with the audience. When we did the Matt Cook (a foundation for a friend of Kulyk’s who lost his battle with Cancer) fundraiser it was nice to be able to connect, like the song “Hold Hy Hand.” I dedicated that to the audience and to Matt’s dad and brother who were in the audience. I want people to feel like they are never alone.
TR: What is your advice to university students?
KK: University is something that I have never done. I was going to go before I was diagnosed, but I think that it is really important to really know and love what you are doing, because you are paying a lot of money for it. Just like in the music business, you put a lot of money into your recordings, so you better love it. Just keep on plugging away, and always keep a positive attitude, and know that you love what you are doing.
