It’s loud at first. Then the arena starts to quiet down as senior Kailey Kunstman walks onto the court before the IHSA state basketball semifinal game. Thousands of fans fill the stands, and all eyes turn toward her. She stands alone, takes a breath and blocks out the noise before the first note. Then she lifts the microphone and begins the National Anthem as her voice carries throughout the arena.

A moment like this takes years to reach. It comes from consistent practice.

Music has been part of her life since she was young, from singing at home to performing on stage. 

She was always singing,” said Bryan Kunstman, choir director at Kaneland High School and Kailey’s father. “She and her sister both were always recording themselves, singing along to Disney songs, singing along to movies, pretending to be on stage performing from the time they were five.”

Over time, that early interest developed into a stronger sense of comfort performing in front of others. What began as something casual gradually became a skill she continued to build and take more seriously. 

“From the time they were really, really young,” Bryan said. “Just immediately locking into melodies, remembering songs and not being afraid to share that joy by singing out.”

That early passion eventually expanded beyond the school choir. Kunstman is also part of the St. Charles Singers, a professional vocal ensemble based in St. Charles.

“I’m actually the youngest person to be a part of the ensemble,” Kunstman said.

The ensemble includes singers decades older, and they perform both locally and internationally. 

Being surrounded by more experienced performers pushed her to meet a higher standard.

“I actually sing in church, and the director was there one time and heard me sing and asked me to be a part of the group,” Kunstman said.

While those opportunities highlight her talent, growing up with a choir director as a father has also brought challenges.

Because Bryan Kunstman teaches choir at the school, some students assume opportunities are handed to his daughters.

Those assumptions were especially difficult early in high school.

“Freshman year especially, people would say things were handed to me because my dad works here,” Kunstman said. “That was definitely hard.”

Those comments came during rehearsals and auditions, when she was trying to prove her voice.

“[I had to prove] that I’m not a nepo baby, because my dad’s a choir teacher,” Kunstman said. “Anything related to music, if I get a solo or even if I get a role in the musical, people used to tell me that it was just because of my dad.” 

That pressure shaped the way she approached rehearsals and performances, pushing her to focus more on consistency and improvement instead of seeking recognition.

Those experiences also influenced the way she approaches both music and school.

“It made me want to work harder and take things more seriously,” Kunstman said. “I didn’t want people to think anything was just given to me.”

To avoid favoritism, Bryan said he removes himself from important decisions involving his daughters. 

“I always bring in outside judges,” Bryan said. “Whether it be auditions for a solo or auditions for a group, I am never the one making that decision.”

Even with those precautions, the comments still linger. 

“I think she doesn’t necessarily get the joy of just having those accomplishments without somebody kind of whispering in the background,” Bryan said.

Despite that pressure, those closest to Kailey say her work ethic is what truly sets her apart, while much of her growth happens behind the scenes.

Emma Kunstman, Kailey’s younger sister and a sophomore at Kaneland High School, agrees.

“She doesn’t only settle for an answer,” Emma said. “She actually works for it.”

Her dedication extends beyond music. She is also involved in golf and musical theater throughout the school year.

Balancing everything isn’t easy during the week. Between practices, rehearsals and schoolwork, Kailey said staying organized helps her keep up.

“It definitely gets busy,” Kunstman said. “I try to stay on top of things and make time for the things that matter most.”

This year brought additional challenges for Kailey after she suffered a serious concussion in a car accident. 

The injury made everyday tasks difficult and temporarily disrupted both school and activities. The setback forced Kailey to slow down, but it also tested her commitment. 

“She had major migraines and couldn’t read at one point,” Emma said.

Despite the setback, Kailey continued working toward her goals while managing recovery and the pressures of senior year.

“She had over a month where she was not really able to read,” Bryan said. “It was a really tough start of the year.”

Even with everything, Kailey continued to audition, apply to colleges and sing whenever she could.

“Kailey’s a very compassionate person,” Bryan said. “She tries to help uplift others.”

As graduation approaches, Kailey plans to continue pursuing music while exploring future opportunities. 

No matter what comes next, music remains central to her life, with the same voice that once filled an arena and still means everything to her.

“I definitely feel most like myself when I’m singing,” Kunstman said.